What will change for Ukrainians from March 1, 2026: pension indexation, tariffs, NMT, dollar exchange rate and other important innovations

On March 1, 2026, several important changes will come into force in Ukraine: from pension indexation and increased payments to the families of fallen defenders to new tariffs for mobile operators and the start of registration for NMT. Learn more about all the key innovations in March 2026

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March is traditionally a month of changes in the social and economic sphere, and 2026 will be no exception. From the very first days of spring, Ukraine will see a revised pension indexation, revised amounts of targeted assistance for families of fallen soldiers, and changes to the terms of the National Cashback program.

At the same time, mobile operators will revise their archived tariffs, the National Bank will stop accepting some old banknotes, and high school students will start registering for the NMT. The foreign exchange market also attracts special attention: experts predict a tense but controlled March. We have collected all the key innovations that will affect the lives of Ukrainians starting from March 1, 2026.

In our previous article, we talked about the specifics of the housing reform and the opportunities for free housing.

Pension indexation from March 1, 2026

Starting from March 1, 2026, Ukraine will conduct an annual pension indexation. For most pensioners, payments will be recalculated with a coefficient of 12.1%, which is about 4% higher than the inflation rate for the previous year. The recalculation will take place automatically, so there is no need to apply to the institutions.

The indexation will cover the main types of pensions, including:

- Old-age pensions;

- Military pensions;

- Disability pensions;

- Survivor's pensions;

- Special pensions for former employees of local governments;

- Pensions of civil servants;

- Pensions of researchers.

Minimum pension payments for people with war-related disabilities and combatants will be indexed separately. The recalculation will also apply to insurance payments to citizens who have suffered from industrial accidents. The Ministry of Social Policy clarified that after the indexation, pensions will increase by at least UAH 100, but not more than UAH 2,595.

At the same time, there are categories for which payments will not change:

1. Pensioners whose payments have already been brought to the minimum guaranteed level for the most vulnerable;

2. Recipients of the maximum pension - UAH 25,950;

3. Recipients of special pensions (including prosecutors and retired judges).

For more information on pension indexation and social benefits increase, please follow the link.

Increase in pensions for families of the deceased

Starting from March 1, 2026, the amount of targeted assistance for the families of defenders who were killed or went missing during the defense of Ukraine will increase. The state is revising the minimum payment guarantees for such families, significantly increasing financial support.

The minimum pension payment for each disabled family member (parents, wife or husband of a fallen serviceman), as well as for one child who is granted state social assistance instead of a pension, will be at least UAH 12,810 per person. For comparison, previously the minimum amount of such payment was UAH 7,800.

If the benefit is granted to two or more family members of a deceased defender (except for disabled parents, spouse or partner), the minimum amount of the benefit will increase to UAH 10,020 for each family member instead of the current UAH 6,100.

Updated “National Cashback” program

Starting from March 1, 2026, the rules of the National Cashback program will change in Ukraine. While a single cashback rate of 10% for all goods was in effect until the end of February, a differentiated system will be introduced in early spring, ranging from 5% to 15% depending on the product category.

The maximum cashback of 15% is provided for Ukrainian goods in categories where the share of imports in the consumer basket exceeds 35%. This is primarily about:

1. Non-food products such as clothing, footwear, cosmetics, household chemicals, household goods, repairs, animals, and stationery;

2. Certain food products, including hard and soft cheeses, some types of pasta and cereals.

Instead, 5% cashback will be awarded for Ukrainian goods in categories with a lower share of imports (less than 35%). These include:

- Bread, meat, most dairy products, eggs, and oil;

- Vegetables, fruits, fish, canned food;

- Sweets, snacks, beverages, sauces;

- Medicines and garden products.

Thus, the state stimulates the consumption of Ukrainian products in those segments where competition with imports is the highest. The amount of the refund will now directly depend on the category of purchase.

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Registration for NMT 2026

In March, registration for the National Multisubject Test, which in 2026 will remain the main form of entrance exams to higher education institutions, will start. Applicants will be able to apply online through the official portal of the Ukrainian Center for Educational Quality Assessment.

Registration will take place in two stages:

1. The main session - from March 5 to April 2, 2026;

2. Additional session - from May 11 to 16, 2026.

Testing will also take place in two waves:

- The main session will last from May 20 to June 25;

- Additional - from July 17 to 24.

Separately, on March 3, it will be announced in which countries and cities it will be possible to take the NMT outside of Ukraine. This is important information for graduates who are temporarily abroad.

Withdrawal of 1, 2, 5, and 10 hryvnia banknotes from circulation

Starting March 2, 2026, the National Bank of Ukraine will stop accepting 1, 2, 5, and 10 hryvnia banknotes issued in 2003-2007. After this date, they will no longer be accepted in shops, banks, or other institutions.

However, the corresponding coins of these denominations will remain in circulation and will continue to be used for cash payments. In effect, paper banknotes are finally being replaced by metal money.

Ukrainians who still have their old banknotes can exchange them for current banknotes at NBU branches. The exchange is currently carried out without any time limit, so there is no need to rush.

What will happen to the dollar in early spring?

The beginning of spring 2026 may be a tense period for the foreign exchange market, but no grounds for sharp fluctuations are currently expected. Banking experts note that the situation will remain sensitive but under control.

Under the baseline scenario, the US dollar will fluctuate between UAH 42.8 and 43.8 in March. Short-term fluctuations are possible, but there are currently no prerequisites for a sharp and uncontrolled weakening of the hryvnia.

Analysts point out that the market is traditionally influenced by several factors: the volume of international financial assistance, the NBU's foreign exchange interventions, import purchases, and the situation on world markets. It is the combination of these factors that will determine the dynamics of the exchange rate in March.

Daylight saving time

On the night of March 28-29, 2026, Ukraine will traditionally switch to daylight saving time. At 3:00 a.m., the clocks will need to be set one hour forward.

Despite the fact that in 2024 it was planned to cancel the seasonal change of clocks, the relevant law did not come into force. Therefore, in 2026, the country will continue to live under the current system of daylight saving time.

Most modern electronic devices - smartphones, computers, smartwatches - update the time automatically. Instead, owners of mechanical watches will have to change the time manually.

In the article by the link, we talked about the exact dates of clock changes around the world and regional peculiarities of daylight saving time in 2026.

Increase in mobile tariffs

Starting from March 1, 2026, some subscribers of mobile operators will face an increase in the cost of services. This will primarily apply to archived tariff plans that are no longer available for new connections.

Kyivstar mobile operator is raising the cost of a number of old tariffs. According to preliminary estimates, the price increase will range from 50 to 90 UAH, depending on the specific service package.

Vodafone is also revising more than 20 prepaid and contract tariff plans. On average, the cost will increase by UAH 40-70, depending on the terms of service and tariff content.

It is important to note that the changes apply only to old packages. New tariff offers remain unchanged, and subscribers can switch to current plans if they are more profitable.

Tariffs for utilities

In March 2026, Ukrainians will continue to pay for utilities at the current tariffs. The moratorium on the increase in the cost of electricity, gas, water and heating introduced during martial law remains in force.

As of early spring, the following tariffs are in effect:

1. Electricity - UAH 4.32 per kWh;

2. Gas for household consumers of Naftogaz - UAH 7.96 per cubic meter, other suppliers - in the range of UAH 7.7-9.9 per cubic meter.

Tariffs for water and heating are not planned to be revised in March, but the actual amount for heat may vary depending on the region and consumption.

Thus, no significant changes in payments are expected in the first month of spring. The restriction on utility tariff increases will remain in place until the end of martial law.

Fuel prices

In March 2026, gasoline and diesel prices may rise. The reason for this is the rise in global oil prices, which added almost 10% in February. This factor will affect the situation at Ukrainian gas stations.

Since Ukraine imports oil products from Europe almost entirely at world prices, the rise in oil prices directly affects the domestic market. At the same time, the tax component in the price of a liter of fuel mitigates the impact of fluctuations, so the price increase will not be proportional to 10%.

Experts estimate that in March, the price of gasoline and diesel may rise to about UAH 1 per liter. Further dynamics will depend on the situation on the global oil markets and the hryvnia exchange rate.

We remind you! In 2025, the demand for rental housing in the western regions of Ukraine increased amid a decline in supply. Read more about where the highest prices were recorded, in which regions the number of apartments decreased the most, and what risks are emerging in the market.

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