From October, debts can be collected from accounts in all banks: what will change for Ukrainians
In October, the Ukrainian authorities plan to connect all banks to the automated debt collection system, the Minister of Justice reported. Currently, according to him, such a mechanism works on a voluntary basis with state banks. For the debtor, the main change will be simple: hiding money by opening a card in another bank will become significantly more difficult.
The main provisions of the law No. 4833-IX adopted in the spring come into force on October 23, 2026. The law provides for the connection of all banks to information interaction with state and private enforcement agents through the Automated Enforcement Proceedings System. (Supreme Court)
However, it is not about the bank being able to independently write off money due to any delay in a loan or utility bill. For compulsory collection, there must still be enforcement proceedings and an enforcement document — for example, a court decision or a decision of another body that the law grants such a right to. What changes primarily is the speed and coverage of the procedure.
A card in another bank will no longer save you
Currently, the search for the debtor's money largely depends on how efficiently the enforcement agent obtains information from banks. After digitalization, the system should automatically connect the enforcement agent with the banking sector.
If a person has accounts in several banks, counting on the fact that the enforcement agent simply does not know about the second or third account will become significantly more difficult.
Moreover, the legislation extends collection not only to ordinary bank accounts. It explicitly mentions electronic money and electronic wallets at non-bank payment providers. If there is not enough money, collection may also be levied on other property of the debtor. (Zakon Rada)
This is perhaps one of the most non-obvious consequences of the reform: the strategy "salary comes to one card, savings are kept in another bank, and a little more in an electronic wallet" becomes much less effective.
But all money should not be confiscated
There is an important exception that debtors should know about. During martial law, a person with seized accounts has the right to choose one current account from which they can spend up to two minimum wages per month. In 2026, this is UAH 17,294 per month. This amount is not subject to collection. (Rada Data)
But there is an unpleasant nuance: such an account must be officially determined through a state or private enforcement agent. The mere fact that this is your only salary card does not automatically include this regime. (support.court.gov.ua)
Certain types of funds are also protected by law from collection. If the bank or enforcement agent did not recognize their nature, the debtor may need to provide supporting documents, after which the seizure of such funds must be lifted. (support.court.gov.ua)
The debt itself may be less than the amount written off
Another unpleasant surprise is that not only the original debt may be collected. The law allows taking into account the enforcement fee, enforcement proceedings expenses, imposed fines, and the private enforcement agent's remuneration. Therefore, the amount blocked in the accounts may turn out to be higher than the debt the person remembers. (Zakon Rada)
At the same time, the new law also strengthens the protection of debtors. For example, after the changes come into force, the only housing generally cannot be sold to repay a relatively small debt — the threshold is raised to 50 minimum wages, although the law provides exceptions, in particular for mortgages and compensation for damage from a criminal offense. (Zakon Rada)
In Europe, such systems have long existedThe very idea of automated search for accounts is not a Ukrainian invention.
For example, in Poland, the Ognivo system is in place. Through it, enforcement agents can electronically find out in which banks the debtor has accounts, and then exchange documents with banks to seize them. Commercial and cooperative banks, tax authorities, social insurance authorities, and enforcement agents are connected to the system. (KIR)
More interesting are the differences in social protection. In France, for example, after a bank account is seized, a person is automatically left with the so-called solde bancaire insaisissable — a minimum untouchable amount for daily expenses. Currently, it is €646.52. If the account has less than this amount, no money is collected at all. (Service Public)
The Ukrainian model during martial law is in one respect even more generous — the protected monthly amount is two minimum wages. But there is a fundamental difference: in France, the minimum balance is kept automatically, while in Ukraine, the debtor must personally obtain the determination of the protected account.
What will really change on October 23
For a person who does not have open enforcement proceedings, practically nothing will change. But for an existing debtor, the main change consists not so much in the emergence of some new type of collection, but in the disappearance of technical "gaps" between banks. It will be much easier for the enforcement agent to see the person's financial assets and conduct collection electronically.
Therefore, the most unpleasant surprise of the reform may await people who know about an old fine, loan, alimony, or other debt but have reasoned for years: "nothing is collected from this account — so the problem has disappeared somewhere."
From October 23, relying on this will become much riskier.
