Less small change: what will change for businesses following the NBU’s decisions

Starting March 2, 2026, Ukraine will change its approach to the use of small-denomination hryvnia banknotes. Specifically, banknotes of 1, 2, 5, and 10 hryvnia issued between 2003 and 2007 will be withdrawn from circulation. In fact, this is the final stage of the process of withdrawing 1, 2, 5, and 10 hryvnia banknotes from circulation, which has been going on for several years.

In this article, we will look at what exactly will change for businesses, how this will affect cash payments, and how to prepare for the new rules without unnecessary risks.

Why is the NBU withdrawing small denomination banknotes?

Banknotes with denominations of 1, 2, 5, and 10 hryvnia have almost disappeared from active retail circulation. That is why the NBU is withdrawing small-denomination hryvnia and gradually replacing them with coins. The average period of use is about 2.5 years, after which they wear out quickly. Most of the banknotes that remained in circulation were in poor condition.

At the same time, the corresponding coins have long been put into circulation:

• 1 and 2 hryvnia — from 2018,
• 5 hryvnia — from 2019,
• 10 hryvnia — from 2020.

Their service life is significantly longer — up to 20–25 years. For the state, this means lower costs for printing, transporting, and storing cash, and for businesses — more stable cash circulation without the constant replacement of worn-out banknotes.

Does business need to change anything?

It is important to understand that old banknotes do not disappear “in one day.” The withdrawal process has been ongoing since 2020 (for 1 and 2 hryvnia) and since 2023 (for 5 and 10 hryvnia).

However, from March 2, 2026, all these banknotes will officially cease to be legal tender. That is why entrepreneurs are concerned about the question: will 1, 2, 5, and 10 hryvnia banknotes be accepted in Ukraine after this date? The answer is no, they will no longer be accepted for cash payments at retail outlets.

At the same time, citizens have sufficient time to exchange:

• in all banks of Ukraine — throughout the year (until February 26, 2027);
• in authorized banks — until 2029;
• in the National Bank — indefinitely.

Therefore, for entrepreneurs, this is not a crisis change, but a planned stage of monetary reform. The main thing is to inform cashiers in a timely manner and update internal instructions.

How this will affect cash payments

The main practical effect is the increased role of coins. Whereas previously cash registers contained mostly 1–10 hryvnia notes, now businesses will have to work with heavier and less convenient coins.

This could lead to:

• complications in issuing change;
• coin shortages during peak hours;
• the need for rounding in cash transactions.

The question of rounding in cash transactions becomes particularly relevant—what about cash registers? If there are no small coins in the cash register, the amount on the receipt is rounded according to the established rules, but the full cost of the goods is reflected in the accounting records. It is important that the cash register software is configured correctly.

For example, if the purchase is 149.97 UAH and there are no coins for the exact change, the amount can be rounded up to 150.00 UAH or 149.95 UAH, depending on the rounding rules. For the cashier, this is an additional step in the service process, and for the business, it is another operational detail that needs to be controlled.

It also places an additional burden on the cashier: more physical counting of coins, more complicated cash collection services, and a higher probability of errors.

Will there be more cashless payments?

It is logical that such changes could accelerate the transition to a cashless model. Businesses are already gradually reducing the proportion of cash they accept, and shoppers are increasingly paying by card or phone.

Less small change means fewer transactions involving giving change. For entrepreneurs, this means faster service, fewer cashier errors, and simpler reporting.

In fact, the NBU is withdrawing small-denomination hryvnia at a time when the market is already ready for a larger share of cashless payments. Therefore, for many companies, these changes will be almost imperceptible.

How should businesses prepare?

To ensure that the changes do not place an excessive burden on the cash register and staff, entrepreneurs should approach the preparation systematically.

🔍 Check the settings of the cash register or PRRO

Check for PRRO updates and ensure that rounding mechanisms are functioning correctly and that coins of different denominations are accurately reflected in the accounting records. It is also important to test scenarios for refunds and the generation of Z-reports after the end of the shift — minor inaccuracies can accumulate and affect the final reporting.

👥 Conduct a short briefing for the teams

Cashiers must clearly understand the date from which old banknotes will no longer be accepted, how to act in case of a dispute, and where to direct customers for exchange. It is worth preparing a short internal memo or checklist for the change to avoid misunderstandings.

🪙 Optimize cash handling

Review cash balance limits at the cash register and ensure sufficient coin reserves for change, especially during peak hours. For retail outlets with high customer traffic, it is advisable to review the cash collection schedule and cash sorting procedure — coins require more physical space and time for counting.

📲 Make more active use of mobile acquiring

Less small change is a good reason to remind customers about the possibility of paying by card or phone. Mobile terminals or QR payments can reduce queues and speed up service. In the long term, this also reduces collection costs and risks associated with cash.

💬 Communicate changes to customers

A small announcement at the cash register or information on social media will help avoid misunderstandings. A clear explanation that the changes are related to the decision of the National Bank of Ukraine will increase trust and eliminate unnecessary questions.

Comprehensive preparation will allow businesses to go through the transition period without unnecessary stress — and use it as an opportunity to optimize processes.

Conclusion

The withdrawal of 1, 2, 5, and 10 hryvnia banknotes is not a crisis event, but rather the completion of a long process of updating cash circulation. For most entrepreneurs, the changes will be technical rather than strategic.

And for those who already work with software cash registers and accept non-cash payments through solutions such as Vchasno.Kasa, such innovations are almost imperceptible: less cash means fewer operational difficulties, greater speed, and more control.

Cash is evolving, and it is important for businesses to evolve with it.