National Bank of Ukraine further relaxes currency restrictions

Alongside the existing “investment”, “donation”, and “loan” limits, a new “additional” limit has been introduced.

This “additional” limit is based on the total amount of direct charitable contributions in monetary form made after 10 August 2026, where the ultimate recipients are military units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the National Guard of Ukraine. To utilise this limit, a company must:

• confirm the amount of contributions through financial statements and an audit report issued by a “Big-Four” firm (i.e. KPMG, Deloitte, PricewaterhouseCoopers, or Ernst & Young)
• provide the NBU with financial statements, the audit opinion, and documents evidencing such contributions
• carry out operations within the limit exclusively using the company’s own funds in foreign currencies
• conduct all foreign exchange operations within the limit through one servicing bank.

The list of operations that may be carried out within the limits has not changed, including: dividend repatriation above general limits, settlement of “old” import contracts, refunds of advance payments for pre-war supplies, repayment of “old” external loans, and financing of foreign representative offices.

The NBU has also separately introduced additional support for agricultural businesses:

• The maximum settlement period for export operations involving certain agricultural goods has been temporarily increased to 150 calendar days for operations carried out between 1 July 2026–31 August 2027, after which the maximum period will revert to 120 calendar days.
• A preferential approach to debt restructuring for agricultural businesses has been extended and certain requirements for collateral valuation under loans to the agricultural sector have been eased.

• Dividend repatriation in case of reorganisation: dividends may still only be paid to a company that has existed for more than 12 months. However, the required 12-month activity period for the issuer may also take into account its legal predecessor in cases of corporate reorganisation.
• Return of grant funds: residents are permitted to make transfers to return grant funds to governments of foreign states, foreign institutions with participation of foreign states, and intergovernmental funds, as well as non-resident entities administering UN grants.
• Purchase of foreign currency by guarantors/sureties under foreign currency loans: the NBU has clarified that foreign currency may be purchased by both the borrower and the guarantor/surety in order to perform obligations under a foreign currency loan agreement.
• Registration fees: transfers to pay registration fees for participation in international scientific events is now permitted in the amount of up to EUR1,000 equivalent per event.
• Operations under letters of credit, guarantees, counter-guarantees, and political risk insurance: the NBU has expanded the list of operations for which banks are permitted to make payments, including under contracts for insurance against political risks and risks of political violence, as well as obligations in favour of the United States International Development Finance Corporation (DFC).
• Easings for individuals: the NBU has increased limits on purchasing non-cash foreign currency, bank metals, and foreign securities (up to UAH200,000 per month in one bank), withdrawing cash in foreign currencies (up to UAH200,000 per day), and expanded possibilities for cross border payments from UAH and foreign currency accounts, including payment of rent and accommodation abroad (notably within a separate limit of UAH500,000 per month).