Becoming a co-owner of Apple or Coca-Cola while sitting in Kyiv or Lviv is not science fiction. You don’t need millions of dollars or professional investor status for that. But you can’t simply transfer money to an American broker as many used to — not everyone can do that now. Currency restrictions imposed by the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) get in the way.
The good news is there are lawful alternatives. Some international companies’ shares already trade directly on the Ukrainian market. We explain where to look for them, how much money you need to start and what you’ll have to pay to the state.
Why it’s harder for Ukrainians to buy US shares
It used to be straightforward. Open an account with a foreign broker, transfer dollars, pick a company — Apple, Microsoft, Coca-Cola, whoever.
The large-scale war broke that scheme. The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) restricted capital outflows to preserve foreign-exchange reserves and keep the financial system on its feet.
In October 2026 those restrictions remain an important factor. Transferring money from a Ukrainian bank to a foreign brokerage account specifically to buy securities is not among the generally permitted operations.
People often confuse things here. The fact that you can buy dollars in your bank app does not mean you can send them anywhere. The bank checks the purpose of the payment and whether it complies with the rules.
But owning foreign shares is not prohibited. That difference between “transferring” and “holding” opens several lawful options.
How to buy Apple and Coca-Cola shares through a Ukrainian broker
One option is to buy foreign securities admitted to trading in Ukraine. And no, these are not copies or some digital certificates. These are the same shares of international companies, but they are recorded through the Ukrainian depository system.
In September 2026, data from Ukrainian exchanges showed shares of Apple Inc. and The Coca-Cola Company, for example. However, just because a security appears in the statistics does not guarantee you’ll be able to buy it here and now in the quantity you want.
Where to find a broker and how to open an account
First, look for a licensed investment firm that deals with foreign securities on our market. You can check its status in the registers of the National Securities and Stock Market Commission (NSSMC). The main thing is that the intermediary has the right to provide such services.
After that, the process usually goes like this.
- You choose a broker. Ask whether Apple and Coca-Cola are available to individual investors and what the commissions are.
- You complete identification. Passport, Taxpayer Identification Number (RNOKPP) and other details required to open an account.
- You open a securities account. Purchased shares will be recorded there.
- You top up the account. Exactly how and in which currency depends on the broker and the market.
- You submit an order. Specify the company, the number of shares and the price you are willing to pay.
- You wait for confirmation. After settlement, the securities appear in your account.
Don’t expect the speed of the New York Stock Exchange. There are far fewer buyers and sellers here, so sometimes you have to wait until a suitable offer appears.
How to verify the authenticity of shares
Company names can be very similar, so don’t rely on the logo or brand alone. Check the ISIN — the international securities identification number.
For Apple Inc. the ISIN is US0378331005 and the ticker is AAPL. For The Coca-Cola Company the ISIN is US1912161007 and the ticker is KO.
Be especially careful with Coca-Cola. Its corporate structure is tangled, and shares of separate bottling companies also trade on the market. Those are not the same as The Coca-Cola Company shares with the ticker KO.
Can you buy shares via Interactive Brokers
Interactive Brokers is one of the best-known international brokers with access to US exchanges. But there’s a catch. Opening an account there and getting money into it are two different matters.
Even if the broker willingly opens an account for a Ukrainian resident, Ukraine’s currency rules still apply. A transfer from Ukraine abroad remains a regulated operation.
It’s a different matter if you already have legally earned funds abroad. For example, your salary is paid to a foreign account or you have old savings there.
Investing those funds may be perfectly possible, depending on the circumstances and the bank’s and broker’s rules. Trying to pass an investment transfer off as payment for goods or services is a bad idea. The transaction can be blocked and you risk breaking the law.
How much Apple and Coca-Cola shares cost
There is no fixed price here and there cannot be one. Apple shares rise and fall depending on reporting, iPhone sales, new products, the tech industry’s situation and investor sentiment.
Coca-Cola follows a different model — a global beverage market and a strong focus on dividends. But its shares can fall if demand changes, costs rise or market conditions worsen.
Suppose a share costs 250 dollars and the exchange rate is 42 hryvnia per dollar. Then the purchase itself will cost 10 500 hryvnia.
But that’s not all. Add the broker’s commission, fees for securities custody and the bid–ask spread.
With small investments, commissions bite particularly hard. Imagine you buy for 2 000 hryvnia and the commission is 200. That’s immediately a 10% hit to your investment, and that’s for one operation only.
Apple or Coca-Cola — how these shares differ
Both companies are household names, but they play different roles in a portfolio. Apple is often viewed through the lens of tech-growth potential, while Coca-Cola is considered for its long history of dividend payments.
Both companies also have their own risks. Investment outcomes depend on financial results, purchase price and the overall stock market situation.
| Characteristic | Apple | Coca-Cola |
|---|---|---|
| Ticker | AAPL | KO |
| Main business | Technology and digital services | Production and sale of beverages |
| Dividends | Paid quarterly | Paid quarterly |
| Key drivers | Device sales, innovation, competition | Beverage demand, raw material prices, exchange rates |
| Main risks | Volatility in the technology sector | Changes in consumer demand and production costs |
| Availability in Ukraine | Depends on the broker’s offering | Depends on the broker’s offering |
Apple — investing in technology and growth
Buying Apple means betting on a tech giant. The company earns not only from smartphones but also from Macs, iPads, digital services and other products.
Share prices are strongly influenced by new product launches, quarterly reports and sales forecasts. Competition in artificial intelligence and supply-chain issues in electronics manufacturing also matter.
Apple pays dividends, but investors often focus primarily on business growth. If sales or profits fall short of market expectations, even decent financial results do not guarantee a rise in the share price.
Coca-Cola — shares with regular dividends
These shares often interest investors seeking regular payments. The Coca-Cola Company has paid dividends for a very long time and has increased them for decades. Still, like any company, the future is not guaranteed.
Its business spans the globe and a variety of beverage categories. It depends on consumer habits, raw material prices, exchange rates and competitors.
None of these companies promises that shares will rise. Global brand recognition will not protect you from losses.
How to receive dividends from US shares
Buy a share and you become the owner of a small part of the company. If the company declares a dividend, you can receive the corresponding payment if you are entitled to it.
It is important to hold the shares in time. There is the so‑called ex‑dividend date. Anyone who buys the shares on or after that date will not receive the next payment.
The amount you actually see depends on taxes in the country from which the income originates. From the US, a standard withholding for non‑residents is 30% unless there are grounds for a lower rate.
So don’t be surprised if you receive less than the company announced. Foreign tax is often deducted before the money reaches you.
Which taxes you must pay on shares in Ukraine
Foreign shares do not exempt you from Ukrainian taxes. If you are a tax resident of Ukraine, income from such investments is subject to Ukrainian taxation rules.
How much you pay depends on the type of income, documented costs and statutory exemptions.
For capital gains from the sale of shares, the general rates are 18% personal income tax (PIT) and 5% military tax. For dividends from foreign companies, usually 9% personal income tax (PIT) and 5% military tax are applied.
You bought shares for 40 000 hryvnia and sold them for 50 000 hryvnia. If the amounts for tax accounting are correctly determined and there are no adjustments, the profit is 10 000 hryvnia.
On that, at rates of 18% and 5%, you’ll give the state 2 300 hryvnia. But if the operations were in foreign currency, profit is calculated under the rules of the Tax Code taking exchange rates into account. So it may not match a simple difference in dollar prices.
If income was received abroad and there is no tax agent in Ukraine, you generally have to submit an annual tax return yourself. Tax already withheld abroad can, in some cases, be credited so you don’t pay twice, but only with proper documentation.
Can you start investing with 100 dollars
One hundred dollars is often called the “entrance ticket” to the stock market. In reality, it depends on what is available to you.
Some international brokers allow buying fractional shares. That means you can buy a slice of a share for 20 or 50 dollars. In Ukraine this is not possible for all instruments, and a broker may offer only whole shares. Then the minimum budget is simply the price of one share.
Before topping up your account, find out whether the security you want is available, what the minimum trade size is and how much it will cost to sell later.
A small amount does not eliminate risk. Commissions and price swings can eat into returns substantially, even if we’re only talking about a few dozen dollars.
What risks arise when buying foreign shares
Shares are a market instrument and the price can go up or down. For a Ukrainian investor there are additional considerations.
- Hryvnia exchange rate. A share may have risen in dollars, but in hryvnia the result depends on the exchange rate.
- Liquidity. Selling quickly and at the desired price in Ukraine can be difficult.
- Commissions. Trades, conversion and custody fees all reduce profit.
- Taxes. Keep broker reports and purchase documents.
- NBU rules. Conditions for international transfers may change.
And don’t confuse shares with CFDs — contracts for difference. CFDs allow you to profit or lose from price changes, but you do not become an owner of the company.
When buying foreign shares will become easier for Ukrainians
The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) is gradually easing restrictions. But a full restoration of personal transfers abroad and investments outside Ukraine will be later stages of currency liberalisation.
No one gives a specific date. The regulator links further decisions to the state of the financial market and the economy.
For now there are two main options. First, licensed Ukrainian brokers that work with Apple, Coca-Cola and other foreign securities. Second, legitimately held funds abroad and an international broker, observing all the rules.
In any case, before buying check whether the shares are available, how settlements are carried out, what fees will apply and how the securities will be held. The fact that a company is listed on an exchange does not mean its shares are available to you specifically.
