Following the public transit fare hike in Ukraine’s capital effective July 15, 2026, the monthly pass has become the least affordable in Europe relative to the minimum wage. This was reported by Dengi.ua, citing an analysis by Novyny.LIVE.
How Fares Have Changed in Kyiv
As of July 15, the cost of a single ride on the metro and surface public transportation has increased from 8 to 30 UAH. At the same time, the price of an unlimited monthly pass has risen from 800 UAH to 3,656 UAH (approximately €71).
According to the Kyiv City State Administration, the new fares apply to both the metro and surface transit.
How Much Do Transit Passes Cost in European Capitals?
The cost of monthly transit passes in Europe varies significantly depending on the city. The most expensive pass among the analyzed capitals is in London, where it costs approximately €235 (about 12,000 UAH).
Prices are also high in:
- Madrid - €142;
- Amsterdam - €129;
- Berlin - €114;
- Paris - €90.8.
The most affordable pass among the surveyed examples is in Bucharest, where it costs €15.36 (approximately 790 UAH).
Comparison with the Minimum Wage
As of July 2026, the minimum wage in Ukraine is 8,647 UAH (about €169). Thus, the cost of a monthly pass in Kyiv amounts to 42.28% of the minimum wage.
By comparison, the proportion of the minimum wage spent on a monthly pass in other European capitals is significantly lower:
- London - 10.31%;
- Madrid - 10.28%;
- Paris - 4.98%;
- Berlin - 4.87%;
- Budapest - 3.14%;
- Prague - 2.46%;
- Warsaw - 2.19%;
- Bucharest - 1.93%.
Thus, although the absolute cost of a monthly pass in Kyiv is lower than in most Western European capitals, when adjusted for the minimum wage, it is the least affordable among the cities surveyed. For low-income residents, purchasing a monthly pass now requires nearly half of the minimum wage, whereas in other European capitals, this figure does not exceed 10%.
