The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved the procedure for providing financial assistance to Ukrainians under the National Cashback programme. According to the procedure, citizens will receive a 10% compensation for the cost of Ukrainian goods purchased by them. The programme will be launched on 2 September 2024. The relevant decision was approved at a Government meeting on 20 August 2024.

The cashback funds can be spent on medical, utility, sports, cinema, train tickets, and other services. You can also donate to the Armed Forces or buy military bonds. The maximum cashback amount is UAH 3,000 per month.

"Cashback is an opportunity to support Ukrainians financially, especially on the eve of the start of the heating season, as the funds received from cashback can be spent, in particular, on utility bills. The state has already had experience with similar programmes, for example, ePidtrymka during COVID-19. Back then, more than 10 million Ukrainians opened bank cards to receive funds from the state. They spent more than UAH 3.5 billion on books, movies, medicines, travel tickets, gym passes, or theatre tickets.

Cashback as a form of state support for citizens is more effective for the economy than just providing funds, as it creates additional demand for Ukrainian goods. It creates jobs in Ukraine and generates tax revenues. Up to 40% of the money spent on Ukrainian goods is returned to the budget in taxes and goes to the needs of the Armed Forces. During COVID-19 pandemic, we encouraged Ukrainians to get vaccinated by providing assistance. Now, through government support, we are developing another smart habit - buying local goods,” said Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine and Minister of Economy.

Cashback will be provided for Ukrainian-made goods, including medicines and medical devices. Cashback will not be provided for excisable goods. Participation of buyers, producers and sellers in the programme is voluntary, so the store will inform the buyer whether cashback is available for a particular product in a particular store. This can also be checked on the programme's website.

To receive cashback, a citizen needs to open a special account and receive a virtual or physical card from his or her bank or the app. Consent to the transfer of transaction data when purchasing goods with selected cards. And then select the National Cashback service in the Diia mobile app.

"The Diia app is already used by more than 20.7 million Ukrainians. That is why it is a convenient tool for every citizen to receive payments under the National Cashback programme. The service will be available to Ukrainian manufacturers and sellers who will apply for participation in the programme. And also for people who buy Ukrainian products. In a few clicks, you will be able to check the amount of cashback accrued and paid out, and then spend it on certain services,’ said Mykhailo Fedorov, Deputy Prime Minister for Innovation, Education, Science and Technology Development and Minister of Digital Transformation.

The funds accumulated during the month will be transferred to the created card once a month until the 20th of the following month. For example, cashback for goods purchased in September will be credited to the account by 20 October. It will be impossible to withdraw cash from the account where cashback is credited. Cashback funds accrued in 2024 can be used until 31 January 2025.

"By introducing cashback, the Government aims to provide financial support to citizens who buy Ukrainian goods. With this programme, many people will be able to pay their utility bills on time for the next heating season. This will help relieve some of the financial burden on many Ukrainian families. The Government is constantly implementing similar solutions. As an example, support for Ukrainians at the beginning of the full-scale invasion. Almost 5 million people received UAH 6,500 in financial assistance from the state, worth UAH 30.8 million. For some, this was an opportunity to cover their basic needs," said Oksana Zholnovych, Minister of Social Policy.

Manufacturers and sellers of goods will have an opportunity to join the programme through the Diia portal. Major retailers and manufacturers of consumer goods have already confirmed their participation in the programme.

According to the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Ukraine, the National Cashback will also contribute to the de-shadowing of trade. The cashback will be credited only for purchases made by cashless payments and reflected in the fiscal receipts of sellers. Accordingly, only merchants that provide information on settlement transactions and are subject to the general taxation system can participate in the programme. This will help to increase the transparency of financial transactions and support legitimate business.

The National Cashback programme is coordinated by the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine. The project is implemented by the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine, State Tax Service, the issuing bank - Oschadbank and authorised banks of Ukraine. Mastercard international payment system is a technology partner in the programme. Visa, an international payment technology company, is the operational partner of the project.