New rules for reserving employees from mobilization starting in February 2026: what will change for employees and employers

In Ukraine, new rules for reserving employees from mobilization will come into effect in February 2026. Find out what the minimum salary is for reservation, how procedures will be expedited, and what risks should be considered

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On February 1, 2026, updated rules for reserving employees from mobilization will come into effect in Ukraine. The key changes concern the minimum wage, the time frame for reviewing applications, and the procedure for renewing reservations. The innovations will have a direct impact on employees in critical infrastructure and defense sectors, as well as on private sector enterprises.

This was reported by a lawyer, managing partner of the Olena Khomenko Law Firm, on Ukrainian Radio.

What is the minimum salary required for reservation from February 1?

One of the key changes will be an increase in the minimum wage threshold that entitles an employee to be reserved. From February 1, 2026, this figure will be UAH 21,617. This level of income will become a mandatory condition for reserving employees of critical infrastructure and defense enterprises.

For comparison, before the changes, the minimum salary for reservation was UAH 20,000. Thus, enterprises will either have to review their wage levels or lose the opportunity to reserve part of their staff.

Additional conditions for reserving employees

In addition to the wage requirement, other mandatory conditions for reservation will also apply from February. These include:

● no arrears in social security contributions and taxes;

● compliance with regional criteria, which are determined separately in each region.

These requirements are mandatory regardless of the company's field of activity, with the exception of the defense industry.

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Reservation in the defense and private sectors: what is the difference

Defense industry companies have automatic critical status. This means that they can reserve up to 100% of their employees without additional confirmation procedures.

The conditions are stricter for private sector enterprises. Critical status is granted for a specified period, and compliance with the criteria is checked more thoroughly. This determines the number of employees that an employer can reserve.

Acceleration of reservation procedures

The updated rules provide for a significant reduction in the time required to review applications. Whereas previously the procedure could take up to three days, from February onwards, decisions on reservations will be made within 24 hours.

The changes also affect the resubmission of applications. In the event of a refusal, employers will no longer have to wait five days — a repeat application can be submitted immediately.

How booking is carried out

The booking procedure takes place through the “Dія” application. After confirming the booking, the employee is automatically registered in the “Oberih” system.

In the future, the state plans to improve the booking mechanism for employees of the defense industry and critical enterprises that are under investigation.

Why paper documents remain mandatory

Despite the digitization of processes, the availability of information in electronic registers does not exempt employees from the obligation to have paper confirmations.

In case of technical failures or emergency shutdowns, you must have with you:

● an extract from the “Reserve” system with up-to-date data;

● a certificate of employment;

● documents confirming the critical status of the enterprise.

Risks of losing reservation status

If the status of a reserved person disappears from the electronic reservation systems, it is automatically canceled in the “Reserve” application. In such a situation, a conscript may be called up by any military registration and enlistment office in Ukraine.

Updating data in the registers usually takes one to three days. During this period, there is a risk of mobilization, even if the reservation was actually made earlier.

We remind you! Important changes will come into force in Ukraine on February 1, 2026. Read about new salary supplements, IDP payments, restrictions in the “e-Housing” program, the launch of 5G, and many other important changes.

Photo: chamber.ua

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