Verification of funds when purchasing real estate: will the rules change in 2026

Ukrainians have been informed about whether new rules will be introduced when purchasing real estate in 2026. Find out how financial monitoring actually works, what documents a notary may require, and why verifying the origin of funds is not a new development

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In recent months, social media and the media have been abuzz with claims about alleged new rules for purchasing real estate, which are supposed to come into effect on January 1, 2026. The Ministry of Justice has officially refuted these claims and provided clarification on the actual state of affairs.

According to the Ministry of Justice, no new regulations on tightening control or additional restrictions on the purchase of real estate have been adopted since 2026. All checks carried out today have been in place for over ten years and remain unchanged.

What exactly does a notary check during real estate transactions?

Notaries in Ukraine have long performed the functions of primary financial monitoring entities. This means that they are required to ensure that real estate transactions are not used for money laundering or financing illegal activities.

According to current legislation, a notary verifies the source of funds for transactions worth 400,000 UAH or more. In practice, this applies to almost all transactions involving the purchase of residential or commercial real estate.

Documents that may be required to confirm income:

● declaration of property status and income;

● documents on inheritance;

● gift agreement;

● loan or credit agreement;

● confirmation of income from the sale of other property.

The Ministry of Justice emphasizes that these requirements are not new. They are in accordance with the Financial Monitoring Law and have not changed in 2024–2025. Therefore, information about “innovations from 2026” is fake.

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Why are the rules staying the same?

The financial monitoring system in Ukraine is part of international standards that the country joined way before 2026. Checks are needed to:

● stop illegal income from being made legal;

● make the real estate market more transparent;

● prevent the use of home purchases to finance terrorism or circumvent sanctions;

● protect buyers and sellers from suspicious transactions.

Notaries do not make up their own rules — they comply with the requirements of the law and do not have the right to certify a transaction if the origin of the funds is not confirmed.

How to prepare for buying real estate to avoid delays

Most often, difficulties arise when the buyer does not have a complete set of documents or the funds were kept “in the shadows” and cannot be confirmed. Therefore, it is worth doing the following in advance:

● collect all documents on income;

● keep contracts for the sale of property, gifts received, or inheritance;

● have confirmation of the movement of funds in accounts;

● avoid large cash transactions without documentary support.

Separately, it is worth taking care of property protection. For example, take out express property insurance. This is especially useful after purchasing an apartment or house: the policy covers damage from fire, flooding, natural disasters, or damage resulting from military action. Such policies can be taken out online at Visit Ukraine — quickly, without inspection of the property and unnecessary references.

We remind you! Housing and rental prices in Ukrainian cities vary significantly. Read about where buying an apartment pays off in 9–12 years, and where renting remains more profitable.

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