How to Pay Bills in Lviv Ukraine
Moving to Ukraine comes with plenty of new experiences, from adjusting to Cyrillic street signs to figuring out how everyday things work. One of the first practical challenges many expats face is learning how to pay bills.
Rent, utilities, mobile, and internet payments in Ukraine are often handled differently than in Western Europe. Once you understand the basics, it is actually quite straightforward.
Here is a simple guide to help you get started with how to pay bills in Lviv Ukraine.
Understand What You’ll Need to Pay
Before diving into apps and payment systems, make sure you know what bills you are responsible for.
Typical monthly payments include:
Rent (оренда), often paid in cash or directly to the landlord’s card.
Utilities (комунальні послуги), such as water, gas, electricity, and heating.
Internet and mobile plans.
Garbage or building maintenance fees for apartments in shared buildings.
Your landlord can usually tell you which services are included in your rent and which ones you need to pay separately.
The Most Common Way: Payment Apps
Privat24 by PrivatBank is the most popular app in Ukraine for paying bills. There are some other relatively common options too like Monopay (from Monobank) and LiqPay.
Once you open a local bank account, you can install the Privat24 mobile app or use the web version.
Here is how it works:
Log in to the app.
Choose “Payments” (Платежі).
Select your city and service provider, for example Lvivgaz, Lvivoblenergo, or Kyivstar.
Enter your personal account number, which you can find on your bill or ask your landlord.
Confirm the payment.
Tip: You can also add your bills as favorites for one-click payments every month.
Paying at Terminals or Banks
If you prefer to pay in person, you will find payment terminals (термінали) all around the city, in supermarkets, malls, and bank branches.
At these terminals you can:
Pay for utilities, phone, or internet.
Top up your mobile balance.
Add money to your bank card.
To use a terminal:
Tap the provider name, for example Kyivstar.
Enter your account number or phone number.
Insert cash.
Take your receipt.
Many locals still prefer this method for quick payments or when they do not have access to online banking.
Paying Bills Through Your Landlord
In some apartments, especially short-term rentals, the landlord handles all the bills and includes them in the rent.
If not, your landlord may send you monthly screenshots from the utility providers showing the amounts due. You can then:
Pay through Privat24.
Transfer directly to the landlord’s card, which they will give you.
Always confirm before sending money and keep your receipts or screenshots as proof of payment.
Helpful Tips for Newcomers
Keep your receipts. Ukrainian landlords or providers may ask for them.
Double-check provider names. Many have similar logos or names in Cyrillic.
Use Google Translate or camera translation if your app or terminal does not have English.
Set reminders since some bills are due by the 20th or 25th of each month. This is often for utilities.
Ask locals for help. Most Ukrainians are familiar with these systems and are happy to show you how they work.
Final Thoughts
Paying bills in Ukraine can feel confusing at first, especially if you come from a country where everything is paid automatically. Once you understand how the local systems work and find the apps or methods that suit you best, it quickly becomes part of your normal routine. With a bit of practice and a few saved payment options, you can handle your monthly bills in just a few minutes, easily and without stress.