New Regulations for Cashless Transfers in Ukraine
Revised rules for cashless money transfers that do not require a bank account came into effect in Ukraine on March 3, 2026. The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) approved these changes with Resolution No. 20 on February 26, 2026. The primary goals of the new regulations are to increase the transparency of financial operations and simplify processes for consumers. This move is part of a broader effort to modernize Ukraine's payment infrastructure and align it with international standards.
Financial institutions and payment services have been granted a six-month transition period to adapt their systems to the new requirements. Under the updated rules, payment services must provide a clear way to specify the actual payer. This means that in situations where one person pays on behalf of another—for example, an accountant paying taxes for an entrepreneur or a relative covering utility bills for a family member—the payer's details will be automated. The system will be able to automatically populate the payer's first and last name, identification number, and for businesses, the EDRPOU code.
Key Regulatory Changes
Another significant change is the prohibition of bundling several payments into a single transaction. Users must receive full information about a payment before confirming the transfer. Following the transaction, the client will receive a receipt and electronic confirmation of payment. For housing and utility service payments, it will no longer be mandatory to specify the payer's surname and identification code; providing the personal account number or contract number will be sufficient.
However, when paying taxes and mandatory state fees, the payer's data remains obligatory. Each payment will generate a separate transaction number, payment confirmation, and its own receipt.
Financial market experts recommend carefully checking payment details before confirming a transfer and keeping all receipts and electronic payment confirmations.
The updated cashless transfer rules aim to ensure greater transparency and security in Ukraine's financial operations, simplifying processes for users and encouraging responsible management of financial obligations. These changes represent a significant step in modernizing Ukraine's financial system. Consumers will be able to conduct financial operations more easily while receiving more information about each transaction. The increased level of transparency may also positively impact the fight against financial crime and fraud, as the requirement to identify the actual payer reduces the risks of anonymity in financial transactions.