UEFA EURO 2012 European Football Championship

EURO 2012, Europe’s premier national football championship, kicks off June 8 in eight venues throughout host nations Ukraine and Poland. Matches will be held in the Ukrainian cities of Kyiv, Donetsk, Kharkiv and Lviv during the month-long competition, with the championship game taking place in Kyiv on July 1. 

The U.S. Embassy anticipates that all hotels, hostels and other types of accommodations will be completely sold out in event cities.  Transportation to Ukraine and between the event cities will also be completely booked. Public transportation within event cities is likely to be extremely crowded. 

We strongly encourage American citizens not to travel to Ukraine without confirmed hotel, flight, or train reservations during the tournament, even if they do not plan to attend Euro 2012 games or events.

The following tips should be useful for U.S. citizens who plan to come to Ukraine for Euro 2012. You can also view a short video on preparing for Euro 2012 in Ukraine here.

For more detailed country information, please read our complete Country Specific Information.

Entering & Exiting Ukraine

A valid passport is needed to enter Ukraine. You are required to carry your original passport with you at all times and Ukrainian authorities may verify your legal presence in the country at any time.

Visas

American citizens staying in Ukraine for less than 90 days within a 180-day period do not need a visa to enter the country. The 90-day count begins from the first entry date stamped in the traveler’s passport.

Customs

Ukrainian customs and border authorities have worked to improve safety and security, while simplifying the border crossing process.  Customs regulations place strict limits on the amounts of currency and other items that may be brought in to or taken out of Ukraine. The Customs Service has more information on their web site in English.

Arriving by Plane

When landing at any of Ukraine’s international airports, American citizens should proceed through passport control through the Non-Visa Holder’s line, unless otherwise instructed, and present a valid passport to the control agent. When exiting the baggage area, travelers with nothing to declare should follow the green arrows. Those declaring items should follow the red arrows. Ukrainian authorities reserve the right to search belongings upon request.

Arriving by Train

American citizens arriving in Ukraine by train must present a valid passport when border agents enter the train. Customs officials will also come aboard, sometimes with dogs. Time for border crossings has been built into train schedules.

Arriving by Car

Those U.S. citizens driving into Ukraine from a neighboring country must present to border control agents a valid passport, along with valid registration or rental agreement and European auto insurance (known as a “green card”). Rental agreements should be translated in Ukrainian. Customs officials may also inspect the contents of the vehicle. Generally, roads in Ukraine outside major urban areas are in poor condition and are poorly lighted. It is advised to use extra caution on Ukrainian roads and drive defensively at all times. If entering Ukraine via the Hungarian border, expect major delays at the border. For more information, please read our Country Specific Information.

Currency Exchange & Money

The Ukrainian currency is called the hyrivna (UAH). It is not available for exchange in the United States, so travelers will need to obtain hyrivna once they arrive in Ukraine. In all Euro 2012 host cities there are many banks and currency exchange locations called обмін валют. When exchanging money, you must present a valid passport.

Ukraine is still mainly a cash-based economy. The U.S. Embassy advises travelers to use extreme caution when using ATMs in Ukraine, due to the high rate of fraud. If you choose to use an ATM, it is advisable to avoid street locations and only use machines inside banks or other reputable businesses. To avoid problems using credit cards and ATM cards, it is recommended to alert your bank of your travel plans in advance of arriving in Ukraine.

Ukrainian customs regulations limit the amount of currency that may be brought in to or taken out of Ukraine.

Health Information

If you are ill or infirm, we strongly recommend that you not travel to Ukraine. Ukraine is not a disabled-friendly environment, with little or no accommodations to ease access. Elderly travelers and those with existing health problems may be at risk due to inadequate medical facilities. No hospitals in Ukraine accept U.S. health insurance plans for direct payment. Medical evacuation often remains the best way to secure Western medical care. This option, however, is very expensive (upwards of $25,000 to $50,000 to European countries and up to $70,000 or more to the U.S.) and can take several hours or longer to arrange. You should buy medical evacuation insurance prior to travel to Ukraine. Check our Country Specific Information for more details.

In Case of Emergency

Ukrainian Emergency Services

There is no equivalent to ‘911’ in Ukraine. To contact emergency services, dial the following numbers:

Fire – 101
Police – 102
Ambulance – 103

U.S. citizens with EMERGENCIES should contact the American Citizen Services Unit of the U.S. Consulate during regular business hours at:

4 Aircraft Designer Igor Sikorsky Street (Formerly Tankova Street)
Kyiv 04112

Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Tel.: +38-044-521-5566
Fax: +38-044-521-5155

For emergencies outside of normal working hours, please call +38-044-521-5000. Routine services are scheduled by appointment only.

Running out of Money

Travelers who have run out money or cannot access their funds generally do not require assistance from the Embassy. Wiring money from the U.S. via Western Union is a simple process and widely available throughout Ukraine. A valid passport is generally all that is needed to receive funds.

 Lost/Stolen Passports

To replace your passport, you will need to make an appointment to come to the American Citizen Services unit in Kyiv. For the necessary forms, materials and associated fees, please see details here.

Victims of Crime

The investigation and prosecution of crimes in Ukraine is solely the responsibility of the Ukrainian authorities. If you become the victim of a crime, report the crime to the local authorities before contacting the Consulate. Consular officers cannot intervene in any legal proceedings, but they can help you understand the criminal justice process and find an attorney if needed.

Arrests

While in Ukraine, you are subject to all Ukrainian laws, even if they differ significantly from those in the United States.  If you violate Ukrainian law, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Pre-trial detention can extend for months or even years, before prisoners receive their day in court.

Under Ukrainian law, police are permitted to stop you for any reason and check your identification documents. You are required to carry your passport at all times, which police may check to verify your legal presence in Ukraine. Police are permitted to detain you for up to 72 hours without formal charges.

Other Helpful Information

Mobile Phones

In order to use your cell phone in Ukraine, your handset must be GSM compatible. In larger cities 3G service is available, but inconsistent.

WiFi

Most but not all larger hotels offer wireless internet access, either free or for an additional charge. More and more coffee shops and some public places have WiFi available as well. However, it is not recommended to share any private information or conduct online financial transactions over any unsecured network.