Verkhovna Rada approves basis of law on Ukraine's accession to SEPA payment system

Parliament approves basis of law on SEPA accession

On 10 November 2026, the Verkhovna Rada supported the basis of bill No. 15503, which provides for Ukraine's accession to the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA). It was reported during the session broadcast that 258 members of parliament voted in favour of the document.

Amendments to the Civil Code and harmonisation with the EU

According to the explanatory note, the bill introduces amendments to the Civil Code of Ukraine. The aim of these changes is to bring national legislation in the field of preventing money laundering, terrorist financing and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction into compliance with European Union standards and the criteria of the European Payments Council (EPC). Compliance with these requirements is a necessary condition for Ukraine to submit an application for SEPA accession.

Basis for changes: association and financial assistance

The need to update the regulatory framework is driven by several factors. First, these are the requirements of European integration and obligations under the Association Agreement with the EU. Second, this involves fulfilling the conditions of the Ukraine Facility programme, which provides for €50bn to be granted to Ukraine in 2024–2027.

During the previous review of Ukraine's application, the European Commission (DG FISMA) identified discrepancies between current national legislation and European requirements. The adoption of the new law will help eliminate these observations.

Protection of the rights of legal and natural persons

The document also establishes the protection of the non-property rights of legal persons. The law applies in cases of knowingly false or unintentional dissemination of inaccurate information about possible violations of legislation in the field of financial monitoring by their authorised, official or service persons.

Persons whose non-property rights were violated as a result of the public disclosure of such information will have the right to a response. In addition, natural persons are exempt from the obligation to compensate for material and/or moral damage in cases of unintentional notification or public disclosure of inaccurate information about possible violations.

Prospects for Ukrainian payment operations

Accession to SEPA will allow international transfers in euros to be made faster, without unnecessary commissions and under unified rules. The document also strengthens control over the transparency and integrity of the owners of financial institutions.

The Ministry of Finance links the implementation of this bill with fulfilling the conditions for receiving EU financial support. The adoption of the law will contribute to meeting FATF standards, obtaining a positive assessment from MONEYVAL and further European integration. This document is part of a package of legislative changes linked to other initiatives to amend legislative acts, the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offences and the Criminal Code.