NBU Eased Currency Restrictions: What Will Change for Ukrainians
Effective August 11, 2026, the National Bank of Ukraine introduces a broad package of eased currency restrictions, primarily targeting individuals. Ukrainians will see higher limits on non-cash currency purchases, cash withdrawals from foreign-currency accounts, and payments abroad. The changes will also affect businesses and banks.
One of the key changes is a four‑fold increase in the monthly limit for non-cash foreign currency purchases: from UAH 50 thousand to UAH 200 thousand. Within this limit citizens will be allowed to purchase not only currency but also non‑cash bank metals and securities issued by foreign entities. The NBU expects this to broaden opportunities for Ukrainians to invest their savings.
The amount of cash that can be withdrawn from foreign‑currency accounts is being doubled as well. The new limit will be UAH 200 thousand equivalent per day instead of the current UAH 100 thousand. The rule will apply both to withdrawals in Ukraine and abroad. The regulator notes that the change should facilitate access to funds for Ukrainians overseas and bolster confidence in the banking system.
Possibilities for making payments abroad from hryvnia accounts are being significantly expanded. The monthly limit rises from UAH 100 thousand to UAH 200 thousand equivalent. Housing rent payments abroad will be included for the first time, and payments will possible not only via a bank card but also by direct account‑to‑account transfer, including via SWIFT. In that case the bank will be able to pre‑purchase the required currency on the client‘s behalf.
A separate new facility for holders of foreign‑currency accounts allows them to pay for goods, works and services abroad by transferring funds directly to the recipient’s account, e.g. via SWIFT. The limit for such operations is set at UAH 200 thousand per month. At the same time the existing possibility to pay abroad with foreign‑currency cards without an overall limit is preserved, except for certain types of operations.
Another change concerns expenditure on accommodation abroad. Currently payments for accommodation services with a foreign‑currency card are subject to a separate limit of UAH 500 thousand per month. From August 11 this amount will also encompass housing rent. Payment will possible either by card or by transfer from a foreign‑currency account to the landlord’s account, including SWIFT payments.
What will change for businesses
For legal entities the NBU is also raising a number of limits. It will be possible to withdraw up to UAH 200 thousand per day from hryvnia and foreign‑currency accounts in Ukraine instead of UAH 100 thousand. The monthly cash‑withdrawal limit for corporate hryvnia cards abroad will be UAH 140 thousand, and the limit for foreign purchases of goods and services with those cards will grow from UAH 150 thousand to UAH 400 thousand per month. Similar payments with foreign‑currency corporate cards continue to be unrestricted.
The regulator is also introducing a new “additional” limit for companies that directly support the Defense Forces. It will be formed from charitable contributions made to military units of the AFU and the National Guard on or after August 10, 2026. The amount of the foreign‑currency limit available to the company will depend on the size of such contributions. An audit report from a Big Four firm and supporting documents will be required to confirm the contributions.
Companies will also be able to transfer the “investment” and the new “additional” limits, wholly or partly, to other legal entities of their business group. Those resources may be used, among other things, for dividend payments, settlement of old import contracts and external loans, and funding overseas representative offices.
In addition, Ukrainian exporters will be permitted to remit penalties, fines, bonuses and compensation for expenses or losses to foreign counterparties under export contracts. The total volume of such payments per year shall not exceed 10 % of the value of goods supplied to the respective non‑resident after February 23, 2021.
When the changes take effect
The bulk of the currency liberalization measures take effect on August 11. A specific change for banks concerning the calculation of the open currency position and management of currency risks will come into force on September 1, 2026.
The NBU stated that the new easing measures should not pose risks to foreign‑exchange‑market stability. The package has already been factored into the regulator’s updated macroeconomic forecast, which projects an increase in Ukraine’s international reserves to almost USD 70 billion by the end 2026.
Source: National Bank of Ukraine
