A military man was given a car: when is it legal and whether the gift needs to be indicated in the declaration

A serviceman may receive an expensive car as a gift, and its cost in itself will not mean a violation of anti-corruption legislation. The key is who made the gift.

The State Border Guard Service explained the rules using the example of a situation where parents gave a serviceman a car for a wedding.

Can parents give a serviceman a car

Yes. Parents are close relatives in accordance with the Law of Ukraine “On Prevention of Corruption”.

The law establishes restrictions on receiving gifts for persons subject to anti-corruption requirements. At the same time, these cost restrictions do not apply to gifts from close relatives.

Therefore, a car received by a serviceman as a gift from his parents is not in itself a violation of anti-corruption requirements – regardless of the fact that its price may significantly exceed the general limits for gifts.

When will the car have to be declared

Declaring such property is another issue.

If a serviceman is a subject of declaration, a non-monetary gift must be indicated in the declaration if its value exceeds five subsistence minimums for able-bodied persons.

As of January 1, 2026, the subsistence minimum is UAH 3,328. Thus, the corresponding threshold is UAH 16,640.

Non-monetary gifts may include vehicles, real estate, and other valuable property.

Therefore, if a car donated by parents costs more than UAH 16,640, and a serviceman is obliged to submit a declaration, information about such a gift must be reflected in it.

Gift and declaration are different issues

In fact, in this situation, two aspects need to be distinguished.

The first is the right to receive a gift. If the car was donated by parents as close relatives, the restrictions on its value established by anti-corruption legislation do not apply.

The second is the obligation to declare. If a serviceman is subject to declaration and the value of the gift exceeds the threshold established by law, the car and relevant information about the gift must be indicated in the declaration.

When problems may arise

The mere fact of receiving an expensive car from parents is not grounds for holding a serviceman liable.

At the same time, questions may arise in the event of non-compliance with the declaration rules, the establishment of unjust enrichment, or the detection of other violations of the law.

Therefore, the main criterion for assessing the legality of an expensive gift remains the identity of the donor. If the car was given by parents, its high value does not make the gift illegal, but in cases provided for by law it must be declared.