Loans and debt
The true cost of credit: how “0%” and “low rates” turn into 50-80% a year
Calculations for a “0%” instalment plan, a loan with fees and a credit card, microloan limits and a checklist to compare two loans in 2 minutes.
Real annual interest rate: what it means
The real annual interest rate is the full cost of a loan as an annual percentage, including all fees and charges.
The real annual interest rate shows how much a consumer loan in Ukraine really costs. Unlike the nominal rate, it includes all mandatory payments: arrangement and service fees, insurance if the loan is not issued without it, and other charges.
Lenders must state it in advertising and in the contract. It is the figure to compare offers by: a «0%» loan with a monthly fee can have a real annual rate of dozens of percent.
Consumer loans are capped: the daily interest rate may not exceed 1%.
In detail, with examples: The true cost of credit: how “0%” and “low rates” turn into 50-80% a year
Related terms
Annuity payment Credit history
Figures used here
- Maximum daily rate on a consumer loan1%
Checked against official sources on October 30, 2026. When a figure changes, it is updated on every page of the site.
Spotted a mistake or an outdated figure? Let us know and we will check it against the primary source and fix it.
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