One-off equipment costs for the office.
Partnership programme · Platinum
Currency exchange franchise
From an idea to your own exchange office: premises, equipment and operating processes. Start with a clear budget.
Lviv example: two cashiers, including the advance tax payment.
Separate working liquidity: an indicative US$10,000.
Indicative budget as at 3 October 2026. The final estimate depends on the location, opening hours, equipment and contract terms.
Premises and equipment: preparing an exchange office
A currency exchange office combines cash handling, customer service and regulated operating procedures. Start with the licensed operator, planned value of cash and valuables, and the premises layout. Then agree security measures, equipment, documentation and a budget.
This guide concerns non-bank exchange offices in Ukraine. Regulatory requirements, practical recommendations and contracted services are identified separately. All three language versions describe Ukrainian rules.
Choosing and preparing the premises
Before committing to a long lease, assess both footfall and whether the premises can accommodate a secure cash desk. Prepare a layout and photographs of entrances, walls, windows and utility connections.
Occupancy and address
Check occupancy documents, the landlord’s authority, the exact address and permitted use. The lease should allow the required security construction, alarms, cameras and signage. Complete this practical assessment before spending on alterations.
Layout and access
Define the cashier’s station, customer area, secure storage and cash transfer route. Prevent uncontrolled customer access to cash, equipment and staff-only areas. Agree the layout before ordering counters or glazing.
Cashier enclosure and protective glazing
Apply NBU Rules No. 100 and any applicable exceptions. Where paragraph 24 applies, amendment No. 92 of 16 August 2026 specifies DSTU EN 1063 at BR4 or above and DSTU EN 1522 at FB4 or above. Verify certification and the installed assembly, rather than relying on a “bullet-resistant glass” label.
Storage and security
The safe or vault, premises protection and need for on-site guards depend on cash exposure and applicable rules. Location, anchoring, sensors and access procedures must form a coherent system. A security specialist should specify the solution.
Power, connectivity and backup
Check power for cash handling, alarms, cameras, recording and communications. Backup power for critical systems and a secondary internet connection are practical safeguards. Backup power alone does not permit trading when required systems or an authorised fiscal register mode are unavailable.
Assessment before the lease and fit-out
Following the assessment, list required changes to enclosures, storage, security, video, networking and the workstation. Address fire safety, accessibility and building works under the applicable rules. Landlord consent does not replace the operator’s readiness checks.
Equipment checklist: what each item does
Use this checklist to specify equipment; it is not a list of models approved by the NBU. Check compatibility, security ratings, supporting documents and installation for the individual office.
- Depends on design and cash exposureCashier enclosure
- Protects the cashier and controls the exchange of cash with customers. Check applicable standards, documentation, doors, glazing, transfer devices and installation.
- Depends on design and cash exposureSafe or vault
- Stores cash and valuables. Select the resistance grade under Rules No. 100 and the planned holdings, with documentation, proper installation and controlled access. An ordinary metal office cabinet is not evidence of compliance.
- Depends on design and cash exposureAlarm and panic button
- Detects intrusion and requests assistance. Specify sensor coverage, alarm transmission, backup power, testing and response arrangements. The security design depends on the project and applicable rules.
- Regulatory requirementTransaction video recording
- Paragraph 5 of Resolution No. 165 requires recording of the workstation, customer area and entrance/exit, retained for at least 14 days. Cash transfers and receipt issuance must be visible, with date, time, branch identification and export capability for the NBU. Stop currency trading if this system fails until it is restored.
- Regulatory requirementBanknote authentication
- Paragraph 33 of Regulation No. 1 provides for ultraviolet, infrared and magnetic authentication equipment and/or suitable detectors. Check functionality, supported currencies and cashier training. A basic UV lamp alone is not a complete authentication solution.
- Practical recommendationBanknote counter or sorter
- Speeds up cash counting; suitably equipped models also support authentication. Choose throughput, denomination handling, mixed-note capability and servicing for the office’s workload. A basic counter does not replace authentication equipment.
- Regulatory requirementFiscal register for exchange transactions
- Transactions must comply with the applicable fiscal register and receipt rules. Before launch, the operator verifies registration, exchange functionality, software, communications and support. A standard printer or an arbitrary app does not replace a properly registered fiscal system.
- Practical recommendationComputer, printing and connectivity
- Supports records, documents and reporting. Provide controlled access, updates, backups and support. Agree backup power and connectivity; personal employee accounts should not replace access controlled by the operator.
Readiness checks before the first transaction
- The operator, authorisations and office arrangements are established.
- The premises, lease and required alterations are assessed.
- Enclosures and storage are installed and supporting documents checked.
- Alarms, response arrangements and access controls are tested.
- Video recording, retention, timestamps and export work correctly.
- Banknote authentication equipment is tested.
- The fiscal register, software and receipt issuance are tested in the appropriate test mode.
- The cashier is trained and duties and incident procedures are defined.
- Liquidity, records, replenishment and collection are agreed.
- The full budget, contracts and opening date are agreed following acceptance.
Operating budget
Monthly costs
One office in Lviv · two cashiers · Ukrainian hryvnias
| Cost item | Amount, UAH |
|---|---|
| Gross salaries for two cashiers | 40 000–70 000 |
| Employer social contribution · 22% | 8 800–15 400 |
| Premises rent | 10 000–25 000 |
| Alarm monitoring and maintenance | 1 500–3 000 |
| Cash register and till software support | 500–1 000 |
| Electricity, internet and communications | 1 500–3 000 |
| Other operating costs | 2 000–5 000 |
| Total operating costs | 64 300–122 400 |
| Advance corporate income tax payment · €600 | 30 430 |
| Planned cash outgoings / month | 94 730–152 830 |
Salaries are shown before employee deductions. The employer social contribution uses the standard rate; personal income tax and the military levy are not added to gross salaries a second time.
The partnership fee is agreed separately and excluded from the total. Cash collection, insurance, on-site security and other company taxes are calculated separately.
Start-up budget
Opening costs
Equipment and installation · one-off · Ukrainian hryvnias
| What you need | Amount, UAH |
|---|---|
| Protective cashier enclosure | 80 000–150 000 |
| Safe | 25 000–45 000 |
| Computer and monitor | 8 000–15 000 |
| Banknote counter | 9 000–15 000 |
| Banknote detector | 4 000–10 000 |
| Printer | 6 000–10 000 |
| Alarm system and installation | 12 000–20 000 |
| CCTV system and installation | 12 000–25 000 |
| Total equipment costs | 156 000–290 000 |
Working liquidity — separate≈ 446 819 UAH
The equivalent of US$10,000 at the reference exchange rate. These funds support exchange transactions and are separate from equipment costs; the required amount is assessed individually.
Renovation, the rental deposit, initial cash register or software setup and an additional contingency are excluded from this total.
How the advance tax payment and exchange rate are treated
This example uses €600 per office in Lviv. The Tax Code specifies €700 for Kyiv, €600 for certain other settlements with populations above 50,000 and €200 for other locations, subject to the prescribed exceptions. The advance payment is credited towards corporate income tax and should not be added again as a separate tax in an annual calculation.
National Bank of Ukraine reference rates for 1 October 2026: EUR 50.7166 UAH; USD 44.6819 UAH. €600 = 30,429.96 UAH. Table amounts are rounded to the nearest hryvnia. The applicable tax treatment and allocation of payments between the parties depend on the operating model and contract. Tax Code, paragraph 141.13 · NBU exchange rates
Office economics
How to calculate the result
An illustrative calculation. Actual results depend on transaction volumes and the exchange spread.
Currency bought and then sold per day$10 000
×Illustrative exchange spread0,55 UAH
=Daily gross margin5 500 UAH
Gross margin before costs.
The balance before the partnership fee and other excluded payments.
Purchase and sale volumes are not added together: the spread is applied once to currency bought and resold. At half this volume, the gross margin is 82,500 UAH, which is 12,230–70,330 UAH below planned outgoings. This is neither net profit nor a guarantee of payback.
From planning to launch
How we open an office
Location and terms
We discuss the city, premises, opening hours, expected transaction volumes and partnership terms, then prepare an individual estimate.
Preparing the office
We select the protective enclosure, safe, cash-handling equipment and security systems, and agree the documentation and operating procedures.
Launch and ongoing support
We set up the software, prepare staff and help organise the office’s operations and ongoing support.
Questions about opening and operating an exchange office
Practical answers for partners, from leases and safes to cashiers, receipts and backup power. Open the questions relevant to your project.
Premises
How much floor space is needed?
Size depends on the cash desk, customer area, secure storage and utilities. We do not promise acceptance of any small unit based on floor area alone. A layout and photographs are the starting point for assessment.
Can the office be inside a shopping centre?
A shopping-centre unit can be assessed for suitability, access, construction and security. The centre’s general security does not automatically satisfy the exchange office’s own requirements.
Can I use premises I already own?
You can submit your own premises for assessment. Ownership does not remove security, layout or operator documentation requirements. Check the property documents and whether the necessary alterations are feasible.
Should I sign a lease before the assessment?
A preliminary assessment and fit-out estimate should come first. Ensure the lease permits the necessary works and use. Irrecoverable expenditure before a technical solution is agreed creates risk for the partner.
Must I buy a prefabricated security booth?
Compliance depends on the actual design, not the product name. Specify the enclosure under Rules No. 100, cash exposure and applicable conditions. A prefabricated booth is not automatically compliant without checking certification and installation.
Who carries out the fit-out and installation?
Agree contractors, work scope, acceptance and warranties in the budget and contract. Specify enclosures, cabling, safe anchoring, cameras and alarms before construction to avoid rework.
Equipment and security
Which safe should I buy?
Select the resistance grade for the planned holdings under current Rules No. 100. Check certification, model, lock, anchoring and location. Weight, door thickness or a “bank-grade” marketing label alone are insufficient.
Is a basic UV detector enough?
Equipment must provide the authentication functions specified in paragraph 33 of Regulation No. 1, including UV, infrared and magnetic checks. Specify functions rather than a device count, and train the cashier to use them.
Can a counter replace a detector?
Only if the model and the rest of the equipment provide the required authentication functions. Counting notes does not establish authenticity. Check the manufacturer’s specifications, currency support and on-site testing.
Can I reuse existing equipment?
Existing equipment can be assessed for condition, specifications, documentation and compatibility. Verified conformity is particularly important for enclosures and safes. Compare refurbishment, servicing and relocation costs with a new installation.
How many cameras are required?
The layout and required coverage determine camera numbers. Record the workstation, customer area, entrance/exit, cash transfer and receipt issuance clearly. Simply installing a camera does not establish compliance.
How long must recordings be retained?
Paragraph 5 of Resolution No. 165 requires at least 14 days of recordings. Size storage for the actual camera settings and test retrieval, playback and export by date and time.
Can trading continue if recording fails?
Resolution No. 165 requires cash currency trading to stop until transaction video recording is restored. A live camera feed without proper recording and retention is insufficient. Follow the operator’s procedures for recording the fault and recovery.
Is an on-site guard required?
Assess on-site guarding and its combination with alarms under Rules No. 100, cash exposure and the operating model. A panic button does not automatically satisfy every physical guarding requirement.
What happens during a power outage?
Backup systems must support the required functions, and the operator must define compliant outage procedures. Do not continue merely because cash is available if required recording or proper transaction documentation is unavailable.
Operator and procedures
Does a franchise agreement authorise currency trading?
A franchise agreement does not replace the operator’s licence or the required arrangements for the office. Identify the legal entity conducting transactions, its authorisations and responsibilities before launch. A licence cannot simply be treated as a rented piece of equipment.
How can the operator and office be checked?
Check the operator’s authorisation and the office’s details in the NBU’s official records and currency exchange office register. The trading brand may differ from the legal entity; customers must be able to identify the operator.
Are a fiscal register and receipt needed?
The operator must document exchange transactions and issue receipts under the applicable rules. Before opening, verify the specialised fiscal register’s registration, configuration, receipt details and cashier training.
What training does a cashier need?
Cashiers need training in authentication, counting, the fiscal register, documentation, balances, applicable identification procedures and incident response. Software does not replace training, assigned duties or internal controls.
Which documents are prepared before opening?
Prepare operator and office records, occupancy rights, technical documents and certificates, fiscal registration, security and service contracts, internal procedures and staff documentation. The final list depends on the operating model and current requirements.
Are AML procedures needed?
The office follows the operator’s customer due diligence, risk, sanctions and other applicable AML procedures. We do not promise transactions without documentation at any amount. Software and adapted AML documentation can be discussed separately.
Can US dollars be rejected because of their issue year?
Paragraph 33 of Regulation No. 1 prohibits denomination and issue-year restrictions for qualifying genuine banknotes that remain legal tender. Authenticate notes and assess their condition; significant damage and collection are separate matters.
Where should rates and customer information be displayed?
Display rates, operator information and service terms under the current rules. Check Resolution No. 165 and local signage requirements before ordering an external rate board or advertising. A neighbouring office’s signage is not proof of compliance.
How are cash replenishment and collection arranged?
Agree cash sourcing, records, transfers, routes and responsibilities with the operator. Do not assume substantial cash can be carried informally without assessing legal and security requirements. Define collection services separately in the contract and budget.
Budget and partnership
Does the published budget include everything?
No. The published figures are dated estimates with stated assumptions. Fit-out, lease deposits, initial setup, backup power, collection and other exclusions may add to the total. Prepare a project-specific budget after the assessment.
Is US$10,000 a mandatory opening amount?
US$10,000 is an illustrative liquidity assumption, not a universal NBU opening requirement. Hryvnia and foreign currency holdings depend on demand, limits, replenishment and the operator’s policies. Treat them separately from equipment expenditure.
What does partner support include?
The agreed scope may include setup, equipment selection, software, training and ongoing support. Define deliverables, timing, fees, warranties and responsibilities in the contract. The page does not make every additional service free of charge.
How long does opening take?
Timing depends on the premises, installation, documentation, equipment and operator arrangements. Identify tasks and dependencies first. Agree an opening date after readiness checks rather than promising a universal launch in a few days.
Is profit or payback guaranteed?
No. Results depend on actual turnover, spreads, rent, staffing, taxes and other costs. The illustration explains the economics; it is not an earnings promise. Assess lower-demand scenarios and the required reserve separately.
What should I send for an initial assessment?
Send the city and address or preferred area, layout, premises photographs, approximate size, hours, existing equipment and budget. Do not send customer documents, system credentials or cash photographs at this stage. We will then agree an assessment and proposal.
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