KIEV, UKRAINE HANDBOOK Military Family Services Europe / MFS(E) Riga-Remote Team [email protected] www.cafconnection.ca / www.connexionfac.ca Date published: 20 June 2017 Date revised: 17 Feb 2020 TABLE OF CONTENTS GREETINGS FROM YOUR MFS(E) RIGA-REMOTE TEAM 1 EUROPEAN ADVISORY COMMITTEE ............................ 3 USING THIS GUIDE .................................................... 4 SOME HELPFUL RESOURCES ....................................... 1 OVERVIEW OF KIEV ................................................... 2 Maps ............................................................................................................. 2 Geography/Politics .......................................................................................... 4 Climate ......................................................................................................... 4 Languages ..................................................................................................... 4 Religion ......................................................................................................... 5 Cost of Living ................................................................................................. 5 Canadian/Expat Community ............................................................................. 6 Cultural Nuances, Etiquette and Traditions ......................................................... 6 Public Holidays ............................................................................................... 9 News ........................................................................................................... 10 BEFORE YOU COME ................................................... 11 EMERGENCY INFORMATION ..................................... 12 Public Safety and Security .............................................................................. 12 Emergency Contacts ...................................................................................... 13 GETTING SETTLED .................................................... 14 Date published: July 2019. Date revised: March 2020. Making Phone Calls ....................................................................................... 14 Calling Within Europe .............................................................................. 14 Calling Outside of Ukraine ....................................................................... 14 Calling Canada from Ukraine .................................................................... 14 Calling Ukraine from Canada .................................................................... 14 Some Country Codes: ............................................................................. 15 Summary: ............................................................................................. 15 Toll Free and Charges for Calls ................................................................. 15 Where to Live ............................................................................................... 17 Houses and Realtors ...................................................................................... 19 BASE INFORMATION ................................................ 20 Exchange/Commissary .................................................................................. 20 Morale, Welfare and Recreation ....................................................................... 20 Housing ....................................................................................................... 20 Religious Services ......................................................................................... 20 Post Office ................................................................................................... 21 TRAVEL & TRANSPORTATION ................................... 22 Subsidized Travel .......................................................................................... 22 NON-UNIT Fund and CANEX/SISIP Grant .......................................................... 22 Air Travel ..................................................................................................... 22 Public Transit ............................................................................................... 22 Train ........................................................................................................... 25 Taxis ........................................................................................................... 26 Car Rental ................................................................................................... 27 Hotels ......................................................................................................... 27 Travel Advisories .......................................................................................... 27 ADMINISTRATION .................................................... 28 Banking ....................................................................................................... 28 Local Currency ....................................................................................... 28 Bank Accounts and Financial Considerations ............................................... 29 Bank and Credit Cards ............................................................................ 29 Online Banking Payments – IBANs, BICs, and TANs .................................... 29 Money Transfer ...................................................................................... 30 Health Insurance .......................................................................................... 30 CRA and Residency Status for Spouses/Dependents ........................................... 30 Child Benefits ............................................................................................... 32 Pets ............................................................................................................ 32 POSTAL SERVICES .................................................... 33 Personal Mail ................................................................................................ 33 Canadian Forces Post Office ..................................................................... 33 Ukrainian Postal Services ........................................................................ 33 HEALTH SERVICES ................................................... 34 General ....................................................................................................... 34 Hospitals ..................................................................................................... 34 Private Clinics ............................................................................................... 35 Pharmaceutical Services ................................................................................ 35 Dental Clinics ............................................................................................... 35 Social Services ............................................................................................. 35 Social Worker ........................................................................................ 36 Padre .................................................................................................... 36 CAF Member Assistance Program .............................................................. 36 Family Information Line .......................................................................... 36 Local Resources ..................................................................................... 37 A. A. Meetings ....................................................................................... 37 Great West Life / Allianz ................................................................................ 37 Dental Claims ........................................................................................ 37 Medical Claims ....................................................................................... 37 ON THE ROAD ........................................................... 38 General ....................................................................................................... 38 Driver’s Licence ............................................................................................ 38 Information on Driver’s Licence in Canada and Renewal ..................................... 39 Roadworthiness Test/Safety ........................................................................... 41 Car Insurance ............................................................................................... 41 Vehicle Registration ....................................................................................... 41 Emission Sticker ........................................................................................... 42 European Green Zones ............................................................................ 42 Fuel Card ..................................................................................................... 42 Items in Your Car .......................................................................................... 42 Biking/Mopeds/Motorcycles ............................................................................ 43 Bicycles / Mopeds and Scooters / Motorcycles ............................................ 43 Parking ........................................................................................................ 43 Tolls / Rest Stops .........................................................................................