How to effectively use a Ukrainian bank card abroad

Cashless payments abroad, especially for Ukrainians, are becoming more and more popular due to their convenience, speed and sometimes even profitability compared to using cash. However, in order for the process to be safe and economically expedient, it is worth taking into account several important aspects, which are not always mentioned in the standard instructions of banks.
The main points of using Ukrainian bank cards abroad
With the beginning of the digital era and the growth of mobile banking, Ukrainians no longer need to inform the bank about planned trips abroad. Today, almost all bank cards of Ukrainian banks are automatically opened for operations outside the country. However, this does not mean that you can not think about the fees or restrictions that may arise.
Before going abroad, it is recommended to contact the bank for up-to-date information about possible partner banks in the country of destination. This has several important advantages: in ATMs of partner banks, cash withdrawals can be more profitable thanks to reduced commissions established on the basis of agreements between banks. It is worth paying attention to the specific commission percentage, which depends on your contract with the bank. This information can be easily obtained from your manager at the bank or through the mobile application.
Effective use of the card for payments
When it comes to paying for goods or services abroad, you should carefully monitor the choice of currency when calculating. This is one of the key points that will help to avoid unnecessary expenses. Often during the payment process you may be asked to choose between the local currency of the host country or hryvnia (your default currency). By choosing the local currency, you can avoid double conversion, which is often accompanied by additional commission fees. The fact is that when choosing another currency (including the hryvnia), the transaction will be converted at the rate of the bank of the host country, which may differ significantly from the rate offered by your Ukrainian bank. So choosing a local currency helps reduce the risks of unwanted financial losses.
For those who often use smartphones, another convenient way to pay is to use ApplePay or GooglePay. These services not only facilitate the payment process, but also have a higher level of security, as each transaction is protected by additional levels of encryption. In addition, the National Bank of Ukraine has set limits for card transactions abroad:
- There are no restrictions on the volume of transactions for currency cards of Ukrainian banks.
- For hryvnia cards, the limit is 100,000 hryvnias per bank.
These limits can be changed independently through your bank’s mobile application, without the need to contact branches or contact centers. This allows you to flexibly control expenses and adjust limits to suit your needs.
Withdrawal of cash abroad: nuances and restrictions
Withdrawing cash from Ukrainian cards abroad is another convenient function available to clients of Ukrainian banks. You can easily receive cash from both currency and hryvnia cards. However, it is worth remembering that currency conversion when withdrawing funds will take place at the rate of international payment systems, such as Visa or Mastercard. An important aspect is that the amount of the commission depends on the currency conversion and the terms of the contract with your bank.
Also, the National Bank of Ukraine has set certain limits on cash withdrawals abroad:
- For currency cards, the limit is up to the equivalent of 100,000 hryvnias per day.
- For hryvnia cards – 12,500 hryvnias per week and 50,000 hryvnias per month.
This means that even if you need to withdraw a large amount of cash, you will be limited by these limits. It is also worth paying attention to the fact that some ATMs abroad are owned by private companies, which can lead to high commission fees. Therefore, before using an ATM, you should carefully familiarize yourself with the conditions on the screen and pay attention to the specified commissions.
Additional possibilities of mobile banking abroad
Modern mobile applications of Ukrainian banks provide users with a wide range of services that become especially relevant during a stay abroad. Mobile banking allows you to carry out such operations as instant transfers between cards, paying for services using details, opening credit lines or deposit accounts, buying insurance policies and transport tickets. Additionally, Ukrainians can easily receive and send international transfers with automatic currency conversion.
These features make it much easier to manage your finances while traveling by avoiding visiting bank branches or having to find local banks to make transactions. You can also set limits on card transactions and monitor all your transactions in real time, which provides an additional level of control and security.
Special conditions for volunteers
Separately, it is worth noting that for volunteers who have officially confirmed their activities, in particular, the purchase of military goods abroad, the National Bank of Ukraine can cancel the monthly limits of 100,000 hryvnias. To do this, you need to contact the bank with the appropriate package of documents confirming your volunteering. This is especially important for those who support the Ukrainian army or humanitarian initiatives during martial law.
In general, using Ukrainian bank cards abroad is profitable and convenient, but for maximum comfort and security, it is important to consider certain nuances. You should familiarize yourself with the conditions of your bank in advance, pay attention to possible commissions, limits and other features that may affect your financial transactions outside of Ukraine. Mobile banking also plays a key role in simplifying the process of managing funds, providing access to a wide range of financial services even in remote corners of the world.