Effective August 11, 2026, the National Bank of Ukraine has implemented a major easing of foreign exchange restrictions for citizens, businesses, and the financial sector. Find out which limits have been raised, how you can now pay rent for housing abroad, and what has changed for companies
An insurance policy is a guarantee of your safety and peaceful stay outside Ukraine
Effective August 11, 2026, the National Bank of Ukraine introduced a comprehensive package of measures to ease foreign exchange restrictions. The changes primarily affect individuals — particularly Ukrainians living abroad—as well as businesses and the financial sector.
As reported by the press service of the National Bank of Ukraine, the regulator evaluated each decision individually and took into account the conditions necessary to ease restrictions without creating risks to the stability of the foreign exchange market. The new package of foreign exchange liberalization measures is also factored into the NBU’s updated macroeconomic forecast, which projects international reserves to grow to nearly $70 billion in 2026.
Read also: Consular services made easier for Ukrainian men abroad: what has changed?
What foreign exchange restrictions has the NBU eased for individuals?
Individuals will feel the changes the most. The NBU is significantly increasing the limits on a number of foreign exchange transactions and expanding opportunities to pay for goods and services outside Ukraine. In particular, the limit on the purchase of non-cash foreign currency by individuals is increasing from 50,000 to 200,000 UAH per calendar month. At the same time, within this limit, citizens will be able to purchase not only foreign currency but also non-cash bank metals and securities issued by foreign entities.
The NBU is also raising the limit on cash withdrawals from foreign currency accounts—both in Ukraine and abroad. From now on, it will be 200,000 UAH per day instead of 100,000 UAH.
How will Ukrainians be able to pay for housing, goods, and services abroad?
A separate set of changes concerns payments made by Ukrainians abroad from hryvnia and foreign currency accounts. The limit on payments for goods, works, and services outside Ukraine from hryvnia accounts is increasing from 100,000 to 200,000 UAH in equivalent per calendar month.
In addition, within this limit, it will be permitted to pay for housing rentals abroad. Such payments can be made not only by bank card but also by transferring funds from the payer’s account to the recipient’s account, including via the SWIFT system. To carry out the transaction, the bank, acting on the client’s instructions, will be able to purchase the necessary foreign currency in advance.
The NBU is also introducing the option to pay for goods, works, and services abroad via a transfer from a foreign currency account to the recipient’s account. For example, such transactions can be carried out via SWIFT. A separate limit has been set for these transactions—200,000 UAH per calendar month.
At the same time, it remains possible to pay for goods, work, and services abroad using foreign currency cards without restrictions, with the exception of certain transactions subject to special rules.
For Ukrainians planning a trip abroad, financial matters are only part of the preparation. Before leaving, it’s also worth taking care of travel health insurance in advance. Ukrainians can purchase a travel insurance policy on Visit Ukraine.
The limit on payments for rent and lodging abroad has been increased to 500,000 hryvnias
Separately, the NBU has expanded the options for paying for lodging outside Ukraine.
Previously, a limit of 500,000 hryvnias per calendar month applied to payments made with a foreign currency card for accommodation services abroad. Now, within this same limit, it will also be possible to pay for housing rentals. In addition to card payments, such transactions can be made via wire transfer from a foreign currency account to the recipient’s account, including through SWIFT.
Don’t want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!
What foreign currency limits has the NBU raised for businesses?
The changes also affect legal entities. Specifically, the NBU is increasing the limits on cash withdrawals:
● from hryvnia accounts within Ukraine — up to 200,000 UAH per day instead of 100,000 UAH;
● using hryvnia corporate cards abroad — up to 140,000 UAH per calendar month instead of the previous limit of 17,500 UAH per week;
● from foreign currency accounts in Ukraine and abroad — up to 200,000 UAH per day instead of 100,000 UAH.
In addition, the limit on payments for goods, works, and services abroad using hryvnia corporate cards is being increased from 150,000 to 400,000 UAH per calendar month.
At the same time, legal entities may continue to make similar payments without restrictions using foreign currency corporate cards.
New Opportunities for Companies as Part of Currency Liberalization
The NBU is also expanding opportunities for businesses as part of its stimulatory currency liberalization measures. Alongside the existing “donation-based” limit, an “additional” limit will come into effect. While the “donation-based” limit is calculated based on the amount of funds a Ukrainian company has transferred since August 7, 2025, to a special NBU account to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the “additional” limit will be calculated based on direct charitable contributions.
These are contributions made starting August 10, 2026, to military units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the National Guard of Ukraine. Such payments must be confirmed by relevant documents and an audit report from one of the “Big Four” firms.
Companies will also be entitled to transfer the “investment” and “additional” limits—or portions thereof—to other legal entities within the same business group.
As a reminder: The “investment” limit is equal to the amount of foreign currency funds raised from abroad to contribute to the authorized capital of enterprises starting May 12, 2025.
The list of transactions permitted under the incentive-based foreign exchange liberalization remains unchanged. It includes:
● repatriation of dividends;
● settlement of “old” import contracts;
● refunds of prepayments for goods received prior to the start of russia’s full-scale invasion;
● repayment of “old” foreign loans;
● financing of foreign representative offices.
In addition, Ukrainian exporters will be able to pay fines, penalties, and bonuses to non-resident counterparties, as well as compensate for expenses and losses under contracts for the export of goods.
The total amount of such transfers during a calendar year may not exceed 10% of the total value of the goods. According to the NBU, this should help boost confidence in Ukrainian exporters.
What other foreign exchange transactions has the NBU authorized?
The new package also provides for changes to a number of other transactions. In particular, the NBU is relaxing the rules regarding:
● the repatriation of dividends in the event of a change in a business’s organizational and legal form;
● the transfer of funds to repay grants to foreign government grantors and the UN;
● the purchase of foreign currency by guarantors or sureties for bank loans denominated in foreign currency;
● expanding the list of transactions for which banks are permitted to settle under letters of credit, guarantees, and counter-guarantees;
● transferring funds to pay registration fees for participation in international events;
● the transfer of funds by the Innovation Development Fund in cases specified by government decisions;
● the transfer of funds to the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) under agreements providing for the coverage of political risks.
What will change for the financial sector and “Green Card” insurance?
The easing of foreign exchange restrictions also applies to the financial sector. In particular, the Motor (Transport) Insurance Bureau of Ukraine will be able to purchase foreign currency to invest the funds of the centralized insurance reserve fund for insurance guarantees. This is necessary to fulfill obligations under international “Green Card” motor insurance agreements.
The NBU will also allow banks to gradually include in their foreign exchange position calculations that portion of reserves set aside for active operations which is currently excluded from such calculations.
This change will be the only one in the package to take effect later—on September 1, 2026. The NBU explained this by the need for preparatory work on the part of both the regulator and the banks.
In addition, banks will be able to return to non-residents funds raised from them as capital instruments if the NBU refuses to include these funds in the bank’s capital.
We remind you! Financial regulations in Ukraine are tightening: starting August 14, banks will begin enhanced monitoring of customer transactions. Both private entrepreneurs and ordinary citizens who make large or atypical transfers are at risk of having their accounts frozen. Read about the limits now in effect.
Photo: jcomp / freepik
Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.
Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip:
Visit Ukraine Insurance – insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;
Green Card – compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;
Visit Ukraine Tickets – book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;
Private Lawyer service – professional legal support on visa and migration issues;
Visit Ukraine Merch – buy patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.
© 2018-2026, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.
All rights reserved.
