Bank account, foreign currency, and cash rules

This page is for Turkish citizens living or working in Ukraine who want to open a bank account there, buy foreign currency, send their salary abroad, or cross the border with cash. Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, foreign currency transactions have been restricted by decisions of the National Bank of Ukraine. These restrictions were significantly eased on August 11, 2026. Below, you will find what is required to open an account, the current foreign currency limits, the cash-at-the-border rule, and where to apply if you encounter problems.

• The basic rule for foreign currency transactions in Ukraine is the decision No. 18 dated February 24, 2022 of the National Bank of Ukraine (Національний банк України, NBU). The decision is titled "On the operation of the banking system during martial law."
• The decision entered into force together with martial law and has been amended many times since then. The latest text on the official legal portal is dated September 17, 2026.
• The latest major easing came with decision No. 90 dated August 10, 2026 of the NBU Board. The amendments entered into force on August 11, 2026. According to the NBU, the main purpose of the package is to facilitate individuals' transactions.
• Your bank determines during the transaction which limit applies to which transaction and whether you are considered a "resident" (резидент) or a "non-resident" (нерезидент). Ask your bank before making a large transaction.

• Under the Ukrainian Tax Code, banks must use the customer's tax number (РНОКПП — реєстраційний номер облікової картки платника податків) when opening an account (Article 70.12.3). Therefore, obtain a tax number before going to the bank (see U8.1).
• According to the NBU's explanation, if you have not officially refused to obtain a tax number, you must provide it to the bank.
• The tax number card is issued to foreigners free of charge:
  • Applications are submitted to district offices or Kyiv offices of the State Tax Service (Державна податкова служба, ДПС).
  • Those with a residence permit may also apply to the office serving the address stated on the permit.
  • The normal processing time is 3 business days.
• You must present your passport as an identity document. If you have a residence permit (посвідка), bring it as well.
• According to the NBU, accounts may be opened regardless of the currency. For a currency other than the euro and dollar that is rarely used in Ukraine, ask the bank directly.
• The bank sets its own fees and commissions. It must notify customers of tariff changes at least 30 days in advance. Read the tariffs before signing the agreement.
• You cannot use someone else's card with a power of attorney. An additional card can be issued in your name together with the cardholder.
• A bank may suspend a transaction it considers suspicious; if there is a suspicion of a crime, it must suspend it. An authorized institution may decide to suspend spending transactions for up to 7 business days.

• Non-cash foreign currency purchases: up to the equivalent of UAH 200,000 per month (previously 50,000). Within this limit, bank metals and securities issued by foreign issuers may now also be purchased.
• Cash withdrawals from a foreign currency account: up to the equivalent of UAH 200,000 per day in Ukraine and abroad (previously 100,000).
• Foreign payments from a hryvnia account: up to the equivalent of UAH 200,000 per month (previously 100,000).
  • Within this limit, in addition to goods and services abroad, rent for a home abroad may also be paid.
  • Payment may be made by card or by an account-to-account transfer (e.g. SWIFT) from an account funded by the bank's purchase of foreign currency on your behalf.
• Purchases abroad with a foreign currency card: payments for goods and services are unlimited, except for certain transactions.
• Payments for goods and services abroad from a foreign currency account (by transfer): this is a new option; its separate limit is the equivalent of UAH 200,000 per month.
• Accommodation and home rent abroad: up to the equivalent of UAH 500,000 per month by foreign currency card and by transfer from a foreign currency account.
• Cash foreign currency purchases: the NBU does not impose a limit on buying cash foreign currency with cash hryvnia.
• Canceling a foreign exchange office transaction: if you have a receipt, you may have the transaction reversed within 15 minutes after the exchange. This right derives from NBU regulation No. 2.

• Most transfers from Ukraine abroad are still restricted. The exceptions listed by the NBU are:
  • tuition fees abroad
  • alimony
  • medical treatment, prosthetics, and patient transportation expenses abroad
  • expenses related to a person who died abroad
• New option for foreign workers: under NBU decision No. 43 dated April 23, 2026, a new provision was added to decision No. 18 (Article 14, subparagraph 36-1). Non-resident individuals (фізичні особи-нерезиденти) may transfer abroad the following funds credited to their hryvnia accounts in Ukraine after May 1, 2026:
  • salaries and other payments made under the Law on Remuneration (Закон «Про оплату праці»)
  • payments received under a contract as a member of the supervisory board, board of directors, or executive body of a company established in Ukraine
• You must make this transfer through the bank where your salary is credited.
• Before making the transfer, ask your bank about your non-resident status and the required documents.

• When entering or leaving Ukraine, no written declaration is required for cash and bank metals worth less than the equivalent of EUR 10,000.
• Cash or bank metals worth the equivalent of EUR 10,000 or more may be carried only after submitting a complete written declaration to customs.
• Hryvnia and foreign currency are counted together. The total is converted into euros at the NBU's official exchange rate on the day you cross the threshold.
• Cash may be sent by international mail only with a declared value and subject to the same thresholds.
• The Cabinet of Ministers determines how the declaration is made; you fill out the form at the customs checkpoint at the border.
• This regulation is in force as of October 17, 2026.
• For the rules on bringing cash into Türkiye, see O1.8.

• Individuals' bank deposits in Ukraine are protected by the Deposit Guarantee Fund (Фонд гарантування вкладів фізичних осіб).
• If a bank exits the market, the Fund pays each depositor their deposit together with interest. The payment may not exceed the applicable limit on that day.
• Under the law, this limit may not be less than UAH 200,000. When financial stability requires it, the Fund may temporarily increase the limit.
• The number of accounts you have at the same bank does not change the result; the limit applies to your total deposits at that bank.

1. First, send a written complaint to the bank's management. Issues that cannot be resolved by phone often progress more quickly in writing.
2. If you do not get a result, contact the NBU:
   • the online application form on the NBU website
   • NBU Contact Center: 0 800 505 240 (free within Ukraine)
   • nbu_contact_bot on Viber or Telegram
3. In your application, state the problem, the institution concerned, your name, address, and email address.
4. The NBU reviews applications within 30 calendar days.
5. The NBU does not ask citizens for card numbers, PINs, or codes; banks do not ask for them either. If you receive such a call, report it to the police and have your card blocked immediately (see U9.3).

• Going to the bank without obtaining a tax number and being unable to open an account.
• Planning according to the old limits that applied before August 2026.
• Trying to make a salary transfer through a bank other than the bank where the salary is credited.
• Crossing the border with cash worth the equivalent of EUR 10,000 or more without declaring it.
• Telling the three-digit code on the back of the card or an SMS code to a "bank employee" by phone.
• Not getting a receipt at a foreign exchange office. Without a receipt, you cannot exercise the 15-minute reversal right.
• Signing the bank's "customer survey" without reading the tariffs and commissions. According to the NBU, these documents are also contracts.

• Can I obtain a tax number without a residence permit? Yes. Foreigners without a residence permit apply to district offices or Kyiv offices of the Tax Service. Ask the bank in advance about its own requirements for opening an account.
• How much cash can I withdraw per day from my foreign currency account? Since August 11, 2026, up to the equivalent of UAH 200,000 per day. This limit applies to cash withdrawn in Ukraine and abroad.
• Can I send my salary in Ukraine to Türkiye? If you are a non-resident individual, you may transfer the salary credited to your hryvnia account after May 1, 2026 abroad through the bank where the salary is credited.
• How much cash can I bring into Ukraine? The NBU regulation does not impose an upper limit for individuals. However, amounts equivalent to EUR 10,000 or more must be fully declared in writing.
• Will I lose my money if my bank closes? Your deposit will be paid together with interest up to the limit applicable on that day under the Deposit Guarantee Fund. Under the law, this limit may not be less than UAH 200,000.
• Why did my bank stop my transfer? A bank may suspend a suspicious transaction. Ask the bank in writing; if you do not receive an answer, contact the NBU.

• NBU decision No. 18 – full text (official legal portal)
• NBU – Foreign currency restrictions and exchange-rate policy page
• NBU – Frequently asked questions
• NBU – Regulation on carrying foreign currency across the border (decision No. 3)
• NBU – Consumer rights and complaints
• NBU – Anti-fraud guide (#ШахрайГудбай)
• Law on the Deposit Guarantee System for Individuals
• Diia guide – tax number card (No. 00321)