eSIM Ukraine

Internet in Ukraine in 2026: what has changed?

Since 1 January 2026 Ukraine has been part of the EU's "roam like at home" area. A Polish SIM works there as it does in Germany: calls, texts and data come out of your domestic plan, data up to your EU roaming GB limit. All four major Polish operators have moved Ukraine into their EU zone, so most people travelling to family do not need an eSIM.

When an eSIM still makes sense

• •
  A small roaming limit. On cheap prepaid offers and small contracts, EU rules let the operator work out your roaming data limit from the price of your plan or your prepaid balance. It can be just a few GB, and above it the operator charges for every extra GB.
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  A long stay. Roaming is for travel, not for living abroad. If over four months you spend more time abroad than in Poland and use more in roaming than at home, the operator may ask you to explain, and after 14 days add surcharges.
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  A separate line for data. The eSIM carries the data, and your Polish number stays for calls and texts from your bank.
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  A SIM from outside the EU. EU rules do not cover SIMs from operators outside the Union.

What to know about Ukraine in particular

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  Power cuts. Base stations have batteries, some also generators, so after the power goes the network usually keeps working for a few more hours. Home Wi-Fi goes off at once with the router. Take a power bank and download offline maps.
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  Alerts. The Air Alert app ("Повітряна тривога") adds to the sirens and warns of an alert in the region you choose, even in silent mode. It needs an internet connection.
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  Networks. The packages connect to Kyivstar, lifecell and Vodafone Ukraine; if one weakens, pick another manually. Ukrainian networks do not work in the occupied territories. Traffic exits to the internet in France, the Netherlands or the UK, so some websites will show you that country's version.
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  The Polish Foreign Ministry's advice. Before you go, check the current warning for Ukraine under "Informacje dla podróżujących" on gov.pl and, if you are a Polish citizen, register your trip in the Odyseusz system.

How much data for a trip to Ukraine

Before you leave

1. 1.
   Check in your operator's app how many GB you have for EU roaming. If it is enough, you do not need an eSIM.
2. 2.
   Dial *#06#: an EID line means the phone supports eSIM. The phone must not be locked to an operator.
3. 3.
   Choose a package for Ukraine and install the eSIM at home over Wi-Fi: instructions for your phone.
4. 4.
   Once you cross the border by car, bus or train, switch mobile data to the eSIM and turn on data roaming on it.

Questions about the internet in Ukraine

Does my Polish SIM work in Ukraine as it does in Poland?

Yes, since 1 January 2026 calls, texts and data are charged as at home, within your EU roaming GB limit. You do not need to buy a package.

How do I check my roaming data limit?

In your operator's app: the EU limit in GB is shown with your plan. On prepaid it depends on your top-up or balance.

Does the eSIM work during power cuts?

For as long as a Kyivstar, lifecell or Vodafone Ukraine network works nearby. A Polish SIM in roaming uses the same masts, so where the network is down, no SIM will help.