Large Money Transfers from Relatives in 2026 — What You Need to Know
In 2026, there is no general legal limit on the amount a person can receive from a relative via bank transfer. This means that a transfer of 100,000, 300,000, or even a larger amount is not, in and of itself, a violation. However, a large or unusual payment may raise the bank’s suspicion, and if the money is transferred as a gift, it is important to consider the tax rules.
In Ukraine, there is no general rule prohibiting an individual from receiving several hundred thousand hryvnias into a bank account from another individual, including a relative. In other words, a sum of 100,000, 300,000, or 500,000 hryvnias does not in itself mean that the transfer is prohibited. Similarly, there is no rule stating that funds are automatically frozen after a certain amount is received.
It is important to understand the difference between receiving money and transferring money to another person. Specifically regarding outgoing P2P transfers, the NBU had previously imposed a temporary limit of 150,000 hryvnias per month. This limit was in effect starting in October 2024 and applied to card-to-card transfers between individuals. In April 2025, the NBU decided not to extend this limit. Therefore, the statement “you can transfer a maximum of 150,000 hryvnias per month to a relative’s card” is no longer a general rule in 2026. At the same time, a specific bank may have its own internal rules and limits for certain transactions. Therefore, before making a very large transaction, it’s worth checking the terms and conditions of your specific bank.
Can a bank ask questions about a large amount?
Yes, it can. But a large transfer does not automatically mean the account will be frozen. Ukrainian banks are required to conduct financial monitoring. They look not only at the amount of the transaction but also at whether it aligns with the customer’s usual financial behavior.
For example, a person usually receives a salary of 20,000–30,000 hryvnias into their account, and then one day 500,000 arrives on their card. Such a transaction may seem unusual. The bank may have questions about where the money came from and what it is intended for. In such a situation, the customer may be asked to provide additional information or documents. This does not mean that the person has done anything illegal. If the money has a clear and legitimate source, it can be verified with the appropriate documents. Therefore, the main rule for large transfers is simple: the amount itself isn’t the problem; rather, the lack of a clear explanation of its origin is what may raise questions.
What documents may be required
If parents, children, or other relatives plan to transfer a large sum, it’s best not to discard documents that explain the origin of this money. These may include income statements, bank statements, documents regarding the sale of an apartment or car, a property purchase agreement, documents confirming an inheritance, or other papers that show where the funds came from.
For example, parents sold an apartment and decided to give their child 700,000 hryvnias to buy their own home. If the bank asks questions, the documents regarding the sale of the apartment will help explain the source of the money.
Another scenario is when a person has been saving money in deposits or accounts for several years and then decides to transfer it to a relative. Bank statements can also be helpful in this case. If the money was obtained legally and its source can be explained, financial monitoring does not mean that the person will automatically lose access to the funds.
Is money from parents taxable?
Taxes should be considered separately from banking controls. If the money is transferred as a gift from a first- or second-degree relative, a zero personal income tax rate applies to such a gift. No military tax is payable on such a gift either. First- and second-degree relatives include:
- parents;
- children;
- husband or wife;
- siblings;
- grandmother and grandfather;
- grandchildren.
For example, if a father transfers 100,000 hryvnias to his daughter as a gift, that amount is not subject to personal income tax. The same rule applies to significantly larger amounts, provided the gift comes from a close relative who falls within the scope defined by law.
In other words, there is no rule stating, “Up to 100,000 is tax-free, and anything above that is taxable.” For close relatives, what matters is not the size of the gift, but the degree of kinship and the conditions set forth in the Tax Code. However, the tax exemption does not eliminate financial monitoring. Even if a gift from parents is not taxable, the bank may, if necessary, ask where the parents themselves obtained that amount.
Do You Need to Declare a Gift from Your Parents?
Gifts received from first- or second-degree relatives that are taxed at a zero rate do not need to be declared specifically because they are gifts. This is explicitly clarified by the State Tax Service. For example, parents may give their child money for a car or an apartment. The recipient does not have to pay 5% personal income tax or 5% military tax on such a gift.
However, there is an important practical consideration here. If a person immediately purchases an apartment, a house, or a car after receiving a large sum of money, questions may arise not about the gift itself, but about the source of the funds. Therefore, it is still best to keep the relevant documents. A gift agreement, bank statements, property sale documents, or other supporting evidence may be needed to explain the source of the funds during a major purchase. In other words, “no tax is due” and “no documents are required” are not the same thing.
And if the money is transferred by a brother, sister, grandmother, or grandfather
A zero tax rate also applies here if the funds are a gift from a second-degree relative. This category includes full siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren. The State Tax Service specifically confirms that gifts from such relatives are not subject to personal income tax or the military levy.
For example, a grandmother can give her grandchild 200,000 hryvnias. Or a brother can help his sister financially to buy a car. If this is truly a gift from a close relative, the personal income tax rate is 0%. However, the same principle applies here: a tax exemption does not mean that the bank cannot take notice of an unusual transaction. If the amount is large, it’s best to be able to provide a reasonable explanation for its origin—especially if the recipient plans to purchase expensive property after the transfer.
What happens if the money was gifted by someone other than a close relative
The rules are different in this case. If a Ukrainian resident receives a gift from an individual who is not a first- or second-degree relative, such income is taxable. For 2026, the State Tax Service specifies a 5% personal income tax rate and a 5% military levy.
For example, if a person receives a gift from an uncle, aunt, cousin, or other relative who does not fall within the circle of close relatives defined by law, the rules are different from those that apply to parents or siblings. In such a case, the recipient must account for tax obligations. The State Tax Service also reminds taxpayers that the recipient of the gift is responsible for declaring and paying taxes whenever they are due. Therefore, before transferring a large sum of money, it is important to first determine who exactly is transferring the funds and whether that person is a close relative as defined by law.
Not every transfer of money from a relative is a gift
There is another important point to consider. If a relative transfers money, this does not automatically mean that the transfer is a gift. For example, a brother may repay money he previously borrowed. Parents may reimburse their child for part of the cost of a joint purchase. A husband or wife may transfer money for family expenses. A person may also simply transfer their own funds between their accounts.
Each of these transactions has its own legal nature. Therefore, you shouldn’t label as a gift what is actually a debt repayment or reimbursement of expenses. If the transfer is large, it’s advisable to have confirmation of exactly what the money was transferred for. This will be helpful both during a bank audit and in the event of tax-related issues.
What Does the Amount of 400,000 Hryvnias Mean?
The figure of 400,000 hryvnias often appears in materials on financial monitoring. Because of this, people sometimes get the impression that a transfer of 400,000 hryvnias is automatically blocked or prohibited. This is not the case. 400,000 hryvnias is the threshold amount used in financial monitoring legislation to identify financial transactions that meet the criteria specified by law. In other words, the amount alone is not sufficient to conclude that a payment is illegal or will be automatically blocked.
Therefore, a transfer of 400,000 hryvnias from parents to a child is not prohibited in and of itself. If the parents obtained this money legally—for example, from the sale of property—they may transfer it to their child. However, a large amount may attract the bank’s attention, especially if such a transaction does not align with the customer’s usual financial behavior. That is why it is best not to confuse a threshold transaction in the financial monitoring system with a ban on transfers. These are two different things.
Should You Split a Large Transfer Into Smaller Transactions?
If you need to transfer, for example, 500,000 hryvnias, you might be tempted to send 50 transfers of 10,000 each to avoid drawing the bank’s attention. This is a bad idea. Artificially splitting payments does not, in and of itself, make the transaction “safer.” On the contrary, a series of unusual transfers may raise additional questions.
If the money is legitimate, it’s much better to have a reasonable explanation for its source and purpose. For example, parents sell a car and want to give their child money for an apartment—this can be explained with documents. Therefore, you shouldn’t try to circumvent bank controls by making dozens of small payments. The transparent origin of the funds is more important than the size of a single transfer.
What amounts can you receive from relatives tax-free?
When it comes specifically to a gift from a close relative, the law does not set a separate maximum amount above which personal income tax automatically applies. In other words, amounts such as 50,000, 100,000, 500,000, or more from parents or other close relatives do not become taxable gifts solely because of their size. A zero personal income tax rate applies to first- and second-degree relatives. No military tax is payable on such a gift either.
However, this rule applies specifically to gifts. If the money has a different nature—for example, payment for work, income from the sale of property, or another type of payment—different rules apply. Therefore, it’s important not just to look at the amount in the banking app, but to understand exactly what this payment represents.
What to Do If the Bank Asks for an Explanation
There’s no need to panic. If the bank has asked questions about a large amount, you should honestly explain where the money came from. If it’s a gift from your parents, state that. If it’s a debt repayment, provide documents confirming this. If the money came from the sale of an apartment or a car, show the relevant contract.
Don’t make up a different purpose for the payment just to make it look simpler. The bank conducts these checks not to prevent people from helping one another. The purpose of financial monitoring is to identify suspicious transactions and the illegal origin of funds. Therefore, for ordinary family assistance, the main thing is that the money comes from a legitimate source and that the person can confirm this if necessary.
Key Points About Money Transfers to Relatives in 2026
So, you can receive as much as 100,000 or 500,000 hryvnias from a relative via bank card—there is no overall legal limit on such incoming transfers. If the transfer is a gift from parents, children, a spouse, siblings, grandparents, or grandchildren, the personal income tax rate is zero, and no military tax is payable on such a gift.
If the money comes from someone else, the rules may differ. For a gift from a resident individual who is not a first- or second-degree relative, a 5% personal income tax and a 5% military levy apply in 2026. One more thing—the bank may take an interest in a large or unusual transaction regardless of whether tax is due on it. Therefore, the simplest rule is this: a large sum is not prohibited in and of itself, but it’s best to be prepared to explain its origin.
