Escaping the blackout: where Ukrainians can go for winter vacation and how much it costs

For Ukrainians, winter vacation abroad may be not only a matter of comfort, but also of safety. Find out which countries are suitable for winter vacation with children, how much it costs to rent accommodation, food, and tours, and how to prepare for the trip

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After massive strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, the threat of prolonged power and heat outages has once again become real. This is particularly acute for families with young children and people with serious or chronic illnesses who need a stable power supply, heat, and access to medical care.

As UNIAN.Tourism writes, more and more Ukrainians are at least considering a “plan B” — temporary wintering abroad. For some, this is a way to survive the most difficult months while preserving their health and that of their children; for others, it is an opportunity to combine remote work with more stable living conditions.

There are two main options:

● independent wintering in Europe with rented accommodation;

● wintering on a tourist visa with a subsequent search for a long-term option.

Wintering in Europe on your own: visa-free travel, car, and finding accommodation

Moving independently seems the most logical option for those who do not want to fly far and plan to stay within Europe. The advantages are obvious:

● you can travel by train, bus, or your own car;

● if necessary, inexpensive flights within Europe;

● thanks to visa-free travel, Ukrainians can stay in the Schengen area for 90 days within 180 days without applying for temporary protection or a residence permit.

Similar rules apply in Turkey and most EU countries that are not part of Schengen, particularly Cyprus and the Balkans. But the key challenge is the cost of housing and the reluctance of landlords to sign long-term contracts with foreigners without official income in the country.

In Spain, where the housing crisis has been going on for years, landlords often ask for:

● immediate payment for the entire period (2–3 months);

● an additional commission;

● proof of income in Spain.

Because of this, the conditions for Ukrainians may be less favorable than expected.

Important: if you plan to travel to Europe in your own car, don't forget about the Green Card — this is compulsory insurance for entry into EU countries. You can conveniently apply for it online at Visit Ukraine: the policy is sent to your email in a few minutes and is valid in more than 40 countries around the world, including the EU.

How much does it cost to stay in hotels: Turkey, Cyprus, the Balkans, Spain

Despite the difficulties with renting apartments, Booking and Airbnb offer many options for long-term stays in hotels or apartments.

Approximate prices per month for two people:

● Turkey (Bodrum): modest apartments or double rooms without meals — from €600; 3★ hotels with breakfast — around €1,000.

● Cyprus (Larnaca), Crete (Chania), Croatia (Split) — offers in the winter off-season are usually similar to those in Turkey — in the range of €600–1,000 per month.

● Spain (Alicante) — the cheapest options start at €1,100 per month for basic accommodation for two.

● Montenegro (Budva) — you can find apartments for around €400–500 per month.

In fact, for the same money that you would have to pay for rent in a large city in Ukraine, in winter you have the chance to get accommodation in a warm country by the sea.

Renting apartments abroad: Turkey, Cyprus, Spain

If you are planning to spend not 2–3 weeks but several months in winter, it is more profitable to look for private rentals on the spot, booking a hotel or apartment only for the first few days. According to the publication, citing data from tourist forums, the approximate prices are as follows:

● Turkey. Small towns outside the tourist season: from $170–230 for a one-room apartment; large resorts or metropolises: $800–1,000 for a two-room apartment.

● Cyprus. The most commonly quoted range is €700–1,000 per month.

● Spain. On average, similar to Cyprus, but with personal contacts or long-term agreements, you can find options for around €600.

All of these destinations have an important bonus — a mild climate. Winter temperatures there are significantly higher than in Ukraine, which is critical for families with children and people with medical conditions.

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Are closer countries cheaper: Poland and Romania

It is logical to assume that Ukraine's neighboring countries will be more “budget-friendly” options. However, as price analysis shows, this is not always the case. According to booking services, in Polish cities such as Lublin and Katowice, basic apartments start at €600 per month. Krakow and Warsaw are even more expensive. In Romania, in Suceava (a border town), modest apartments start at €800 per month.

Local markets have already adapted to demand, including from Ukrainians, so you shouldn't expect to find very “cheap rear” here.

Food and living expenses: where it's more expensive and where it's not

When choosing a country for wintering, it is important to consider not only rent, but also the cost of food and transport.

EU: Cyprus and Spain

In supermarkets in Cyprus and Spain, basic products often cost the same or even slightly less than in Ukraine:

● bread — €1–2 (approximately 50–100 UAH);

● 1 liter of milk — €0.5–0.8 (UAH 30–40);

● 1 kg of chicken fillet — about €5 (about UAH 250);

● 12 eggs — €1.5 (UAH 75).

The total cost of a basket of groceries for home consumption is quite comparable to that in Ukraine.

Turkey

In Turkey, groceries are generally even cheaper:

● bread — about $0.5;

● 1 liter of milk — about $1;

● 1 kg of chicken fillet — $4–5;

● 12 eggs — about €2.

Experience shows that the best way to save money is to switch to seasonal local products from markets — they are often better than supermarkets in terms of both price and quality.

Medical insurance: why you can't ignore it

Staying abroad for a long time without insurance is a big risk. In most European countries, even a few days in the hospital without a policy can cost thousands of euros. In contrast, basic travel insurance with coverage of €30,000 costs around 1,400 UAH/month, and an extended policy with coverage of €50,000 and a wider range of risks costs around 3,000 UAH/month.

For families with children and people with chronic illnesses, insurance is a mandatory budget item, not an “optional extra.”

Wintering with a tourist ticket: Egypt, Cyprus, UAE, Sri Lanka

Those who do not want to calculate all the details themselves are considering the option of wintering through tour operators. As Irina Mosulezna, managing director of Join UP!, told UNIAN.Tourism, there is currently no mass “boom” in such requests, but companies are preparing offers for 21 nights with the possibility of calculating longer terms.

Approximate prices for 21 nights with departure from Chisinau (prices per person for double occupancy):

● Cyprus — from 37,661 UAH (without meals), from 74,020 UAH (with breakfast);

● Egypt — from 40,205 UAH (with breakfast), from 40,558 UAH (all-inclusive);

● UAE — from 58,459 UAH (without meals), from 64,514 UAH (with breakfast);

● Sri Lanka — from 72,678 UAH (without meals), from 78,314 UAH (with breakfast).

These are basic minimum prices, which vary depending on the hotel category, type of meals, promotions, and duration.

Long-term rent and cost of living: Egypt, Sri Lanka, UAE

If you plan to stay longer after your tour package and rent an apartment, the figures are as follows:

● Egypt: simple small apartments — $250–400; comfortable options in resort towns — $500–1,000.

● Sri Lanka: housing — $220–800 per month depending on location and conditions.

● UAE: rent starts at around $1,000 per month, often excluding utilities.

When it comes to food, Egypt and Sri Lanka may pleasantly surprise you:

● Egypt: fruits and vegetables — up to $0.5 (20 UAH) per kilogram, chicken — about $1.5, fish — $1–1.3 per kg.

● Sri Lanka: rice — $0.8–1 per kilogram, chicken fillet — $2.5–3, fruits and vegetables — $0.5–1.5 per kilogram.

Comparison with rent in Ukraine: is it really cheaper?

According to recent data, the average rent for a one-room apartment in the hinterland cities of Ukraine has also increased significantly:

● Uzhhorod — about 19,700 UAH/month;

● Lviv — about 17,700 UAH/month.

Taking these prices into account, renting accommodation in Turkey, Egypt, or Sri Lanka is often comparable or even cheaper than renting in Ukrainian cities. Added to this are:

● a more stable energy system;

● no rocket attacks;

● the ability to sleep without sirens and alarms.

For many Ukrainians, especially those who work remotely and continue to pay taxes in Ukraine, temporary wintering abroad is not an escape, but a pragmatic decision in extraordinary circumstances.

And don't forget about the legal and technical nuances of the trip. If you are planning to spend the winter in Europe in your own car, a Green Card is a mandatory document. You can easily apply for it online at Visit Ukraine: just enter your car details, select the countries and the policy term, and you will receive insurance by email, ready to be shown at the border.

This way, you will not only have a plan for surviving the harshest winter, but also the tools to do so as safely as possible for yourself and your family.

We remind you! Countries around the world are creating special programs for digital nomads. Read about where it will be most profitable for Ukrainians to work remotely in 2025 and what visas are available.

Photo: simonkr / Getty Images

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