QR Code Payments in Ukraine: NBU Standards and Practical Applications

Ukraine's payment infrastructure is undergoing a significant digital transformation. The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) has established unified standards for QR code payments, enabling seamless cashless transfers across all banking applications. This development, combined with the launch of instant payment systems, creates new opportunities for businesses and consumers seeking efficient, cost-effective payment solutions.

European Foundation: SEPA Standards and Global Practice

Ukraine's QR payment system draws inspiration from international best practices. In 2013, the European Payment Council approved guidelines for QR codes to initiate SEPA credit transfers. Today, this technology operates successfully across multiple European countries:

  • Switzerland
  • Austria
  • Germany
  • Finland
  • Belgium
  • Netherlands

These implementations demonstrate the maturity and reliability of QR-based payment systems in modern economies. The European approach prioritizes standardization, ensuring QR codes work consistently across different banks and payment providers.

NBU Resolution No. 97: Unified QR Standards from November 2025

On August 19, 2025, the NBU adopted Resolution No. 97, establishing comprehensive rules for generating, transmitting, and processing QR code data structures for credit and instant credit transfers. These regulations took effect on November 1, 2025, marking a pivotal moment in Ukraine's payment modernization.

The resolution mandates that all payment service providers must ensure their payment applications and technical systems comply with the unified standard. This requirement extends to hardware and software used for generating, transmitting, and processing QR codes.

Key Technical Requirements

Payment applications must now support:

  • Generation capabilities: Create standardized QR codes containing payment requisites
  • Display functionality: Show QR codes for scanning by payers
  • Inter-application exchange: Transfer QR code data between different banking apps
  • Deep linking support: Enable direct payment initiation from QR codes and specialized links

For QR code versions 002 and 003, the regulations mandate displaying the hryvnia symbol in the center of the code, providing visual confirmation of the payment currency.

Instant Payments: SEP-4.1 System Launch

In December 2024, the NBU launched SEP-4.1, a new version of Ukraine's Electronic Payment System with instant payment functionality. This infrastructure upgrade fundamentally changes payment expectations:

  • 10-second settlement: Maximum execution time for instant transfers
  • 24/7 availability: Payments process any time, including weekends and holidays
  • Real-time confirmation: Immediate notification of successful transfers

The combination of unified QR standards and instant payment infrastructure creates an optimal environment for modern payment acceptance. All systemic banks were required to implement instant payment capabilities during the first half of 2025.

Practical Use Cases: From Utilities to Retail

The NBU presentation on QR code usage outlines several real-world scenarios that demonstrate the technology's versatility:

Utility Bill Payments (C2G/C2B/B2G/B2B)

Service providers like Kyivvodokanal can issue invoices containing QR codes with complete payment details:

Static fields (pre-filled):

  • Recipient IBAN
  • Organization name and tax ID (EDRPOU)
  • Customer full name and address
  • Customer account number
  • Payment purpose

Dynamic fields:

  • Payment amount
  • Additional data (meter readings, etc.)

Customers can pay by:

  1. Scanning the QR code with their banking app for instant transfer
  2. Visiting their bank where staff scan the code to initiate payment
  3. Going to any bank to make a cash deposit using the QR code

Person-to-Person Transfers (C2C)

Individual users can generate personal QR codes containing their account requisites. When sharing this code with another person, the recipient can:

  • Scan and process it in their mobile banking app
  • Fill in additional fields (amount, purpose) as needed
  • Confirm and execute the transfer

The QR code eliminates manual entry of IBAN and other details, reducing errors and accelerating transactions.

Retail and Service Payments (C2B/B2B)

Businesses have two primary approaches:

Static QR Display

A retail store can display a permanent QR code at the checkout containing:

  • Store IBAN
  • Business name and tax ID

Customers scan the code, enter the purchase amount and description, then confirm payment from their bank account.

Dynamic Invoice QR

Service providers (dental clinics, consultants, etc.) generate unique invoices for each transaction. The printed or digital invoice includes a QR code with:

  • All recipient details
  • Specific payment amount
  • Detailed payment purpose
  • Transaction reference numbers

This approach works perfectly for services with varying amounts or detailed invoicing requirements.

Three Methods to Obtain QR Codes

The NBU framework supports multiple pathways for users to access their payment QR codes:

Method 1: Bank-Provided Codes

Banks can provide printed QR codes when customers open accounts. This paper code contains the account holder's static information and can be displayed at business locations or shared with customers.

Method 2: Mobile/Internet Banking Generation

Banking applications automatically generate QR codes accessible within the user interface. Account holders can display these codes directly from their smartphone screens or download them for printing.

Method 3: Independent Generation Services

Users can create QR codes through specialized services by entering their payment requisites into QR code generators. This option proves valuable for businesses needing customized codes or integration with existing invoicing systems.

Services like pmnt.app exemplify this third category, offering accessible QR invoice generation without requiring specific bank partnerships or technical integrations.

Critical Distinction: Fiscal Registration Requirements

A crucial regulatory difference separates IBAN-based QR payments from traditional payment acquiring services. According to State Tax Service clarifications, direct IBAN transfers do not require fiscal registration through cash registers (РРО/ПРРО), provided the payment uses standard IBAN format requisites.

This exemption creates significant advantages:

No РРО Required:

  • No equipment purchase costs
  • No subscription fees
  • No fiscal service compliance burden
  • No penalties for fiscal violations (which can reach 150% of transaction value)

Traditional Acquiring (LiqPay, Fondy, etc.):

  • Mandatory fiscal registration
  • РРО/ПРРО compliance required
  • Monthly service fees
  • Transaction commissions
  • Fiscal inspection obligations

For small businesses and freelancers, this distinction translates to substantial cost savings. A business processing UAH 100,000 monthly could save UAH 7,800-90,000 annually by using IBAN transfer QR codes instead of traditional acquiring.

Advantages for Businesses and Consumers

The unified QR payment system delivers measurable benefits for all participants:

For Businesses

  • Zero payment acceptance fees: No commissions on transactions
  • No hardware requirements: Eliminate POS terminal costs
  • No fiscal complications: Avoid РРО registration when using IBAN transfers
  • Instant settlement: Funds arrive within 10 seconds via instant payments
  • Universal compatibility: Works with 30+ Ukrainian banking apps
  • Error reduction: Pre-filled requisites eliminate payment mistakes

For Consumers

  • Simplified payment process: Scan and confirm instead of manual entry
  • Enhanced security: No need to share card details or cash
  • Immediate confirmation: Real-time payment status updates
  • Transaction history: Complete digital records in banking apps
  • No additional fees: Standard bank transfer rates apply

pmnt.app: Accessible QR Invoice Generation

pmnt.app provides a practical implementation of NBU-compliant QR invoice generation. The service enables businesses and individuals to create standardized payment QR codes through multiple channels:

  • Web interface: Direct access at pmnt.app for immediate code generation
  • Telegram bot @pmntappbot: Convenient mobile access via messaging platform
  • API integration: For businesses requiring automated invoice generation
  • MCP server: Seamless integration with AI assistants like Claude Desktop

The platform focuses on simplicity and compliance, ensuring generated codes work reliably across all Ukrainian banking applications. By eliminating the need for payment acquiring contracts or fiscal registration equipment, pmnt.app reduces the barriers to accepting cashless payments.