Legislative changes in Ukraine that will come into force in 2025: what you need to know

The year 2025 will bring many important innovations for Ukrainians that will cover the social, economic, medical and military spheres. Learn more about the key changes and their effective dates

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The beginning of the new year is traditionally rich in reforms. Ukrainians are most concerned about tax increases, rising social benefits, subsidies, and rising tariffs. In today's article, we will discuss the details of all relevant legislative changes.

In the previous article, we discussed some of the important reforms that Ukrainians will face on January 1.

January 1: increase in the insurance period

Starting from January 1, 2025, new requirements for the insurance period for retirement came into force in Ukraine. Now, the amount of required pensionable service depends on the age of the future pensioner. To retire at the age of 60, you need to have at least 32 years of insurance coverage. If you have between 22 and 31 years of service, you will be eligible for a pension at the age of 63. For those with 15 to 21 years of service, payments will begin to accrue only at the age of 65. If you have less than 15 years of service, you will receive state social assistance instead of a pension.

In addition, age-related pension supplements will continue to apply in 2025. Pensioners who turn 70 will receive an additional UAH 300 to the principal amount. Those who have reached the age of 75 will receive a supplement of UAH 456, and for those aged 80 and over, the supplement will be UAH 570. However, these supplements are only available to those whose pension does not exceed UAH 10,340.35. For citizens who do not have sufficient pensionable service, there is an option to buy it.

The instructions for creating an electronic pension certificate in Diia are available here.

January 1: liquidation of the MSEC

Starting from January 1, 2025, medical and social expert commissions (MSECs), which used to determine disability, will be liquidated in Ukraine. Instead, a new system of assessing a person's functioning is being introduced, which will be carried out by expert teams of medical practitioners.

The assessment procedure will take place in an electronic format through a doctor's referral. All data will be automatically entered into the Unified Information System of the Social Sphere. This will minimize the influence of the human factor and reduce the risk of corruption.

Re-examination for persons with disabilities scheduled after January 1, 2025, will be carried out according to the new procedure. If a person fails to pass the assessment in time, the disability period will be automatically extended until a decision is made, but no later than July 1, 2025.

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January 1: tax increase for individual entrepreneurs

On November 28, the President of Ukraine signed a law on tax increases, which came into force the very next day. The changes affected military duty, income tax for banks, and the introduction of monthly reporting.

For individual entrepreneurs, the new tax rules will come into effect on January 1, 2025. In particular, single tax payers will be required to pay the military fee. The exemption that previously allowed them to avoid paying the unified social tax (UST) during martial law is also being canceled. From now on, individual entrepreneurs are obliged to pay the unified social contribution in full, which will be an important element of supporting the economy in the context of reforms.

January 1: additional payments to teachers

Starting from January 1, 2025, secondary school teachers will receive a monthly salary supplement of UAH 1.3 thousand, and from September 1, this amount will increase to UAH 2.6 thousand.

According to Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko, the additional payments are intended for teachers who teach basic subjects, psychologists who work with the psycho-emotional state of students, club leaders and educators of after-school programs.

In our previous article, we described what changes are expected in Ukrainian education in 2025.

January 1: automatic granting of combatant status

Right after the New Year, combatant status will be granted automatically. Servicemen and women will no longer have to waste time submitting paperwork and wait for long periods of time for approval.

Once the application is approved, the electronic certificate can be generated in Diia and used electronically.

Earlier, we told you that prices for biometric documents will rise in Ukraine starting in the new year.

January 1: the list of paid medical services comes into force

Starting from January 1, 2025, a list of paid medical services to be provided by state and municipal medical institutions will come into force in Ukraine. These changes apply to services that are not included in the Medical Guarantee Program and are covered by the state.

Paid services include:

- Treatment without a doctor's referral (except when a referral is not required);

- Services under contracts with legal entities;

- Services in security and defense institutions for patients who do not belong to the assigned contingent;

- Services not covered by the State Guarantee Program.

They are also additionally paid for:

- Provision of medical services at home at the patient's request (if not caused by a health condition);

- Choosing a doctor for scheduled specialized care;

- Staying in a ward with increased comfort.

Medical institutions are obliged to publish on their websites and information stands lists of paid services indicating the cost and free services provided under the Medical Guarantee Program. Emergency and primary medical care remains free of charge and does not require referrals.

January 1: the new version of the law on motor third party liability comes into force

On January 1, 2025, a new version of the Law “On Compulsory Insurance of Civil Liability of Owners of Motor Vehicles” will come into force in Ukraine. The amendments are aimed at improving the insurance system and simplifying the process of obtaining payments to victims of road accidents.

One of the main innovations will be the transition to an electronic format of insurance policies. This will allow drivers to store documents electronically, which significantly reduces the risk of loss or forgery. In addition, all insurance companies will be required to introduce a direct settlement mechanism. This means that victims will be able to contact their insurance company instead of looking for the insurance company of the person responsible for the accident.

A significant increase in insurance amounts is also envisaged. For damage to life and health - up to UAH 500 thousand per person and UAH 5 million per insured event. For property damage - up to UAH 250 thousand per person and UAH 1.25 million per event.

The new rules will apply only to policies that come into force after January 1, 2025. In the case of a valid policy issued before this date, the previous conditions will apply until its expiration.

February 5: medical examinations for citizens with limited fitness for military service

May 2024 introduced a large number of important changes in the field of mobilization, military registration and reservation. In particular, the Law of 21.03.2024 No. 3621-IX “On Amendments to Certain Laws of Ukraine on Ensuring the Rights of Military and Police Personnel to Social Protection” abolished the status of “limitedly fit for military service”.

Now all Ukrainians with this status must undergo a second medical examination by February 5, 2025. After the VLC, a person can be declared either fit for service or unfit with exclusion from military registration.

March: scheduled pension indexation

In March 2025, the traditional indexation of pensions will take place, which aims to preserve the purchasing power of pensioners and compensate for price increases. The exact amount of the pension increase is not yet known, as it depends on a number of economic indicators, including the inflation rate in 2024 and the average growth of salaries from which unified social contribution contributions are paid.

The indexation rate is calculated using the formula: 50% of the inflation rate + 50% of the average salary growth over the last three years. Pensions are expected to be increased by 10-17%. However, the indexation will only apply to the basic pension without additional supplements.

The indexation does not apply to those who retired within the last three years, as their payments are considered current. The minimum increase will be UAH 100, and the maximum will be UAH 1,500.

March: increase in payments to military cadets

Starting in March 2025, 1st and 2nd year cadets of military educational institutions in Ukraine will receive financial support in the amount of the minimum wage, which is currently UAH 8,000. This was announced by Deputy Defense Minister Serhiy Melnyk.

In addition, the level of payments will increase along with the increase in the minimum wage through the application of an appropriate coefficient. Cadets of 3-4 years of study, who are equated to contract service, will receive much more - more than 20 thousand hryvnias per month.

April 20: united celebration of Easter

In 2025, Roman Catholics, Greek Catholics, and Orthodox Christians will celebrate Easter together on April 20. Such a coincidence of the date of one of the most important Christian holidays happens rarely - in about 30% of cases of Easter calculations. The last time unity in celebrating this day was observed in 2017, when Easter fell on April 16.

Despite this coincidence of dates, formally the OCU and the UGCC celebrate Easter according to the calendar of most Orthodox churches in the world. Even after the transition to the New Julian calendar, which includes the celebration of Christmas on December 25, the calculation of Easter remains unchanged and follows traditional rules.

June 1: Electricity tariffs increase

Starting in June 2025, electricity tariffs may increase in Ukraine. The cost of one kWh may increase from the current UAH 4.32 to UAH 6.64. This increase is due to the reform of the energy market and the need to cover the costs of restoring damaged infrastructure. In the future, tariffs may reach the market level, in particular, up to UAH 9/kWh.

The final decision on the tariff increase has not yet been made. At the same time, until the end of the heating season, which will last until April 30, 2025, consumers with electric heating systems will be entitled to a preferential tariff of UAH 2.64/kWh for consumption of up to 2000 kWh per month. This initiative is aimed at supporting the population during the cold season.

July 1: Expansion of the “Affordable Medicines” program

Starting from July 1, 2025, all pharmacies in Ukraine are obliged to provide medicines under the state program “Affordable Medicines”. This decision was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers in December 2024. All pharmacies must enter into an agreement with the National Health Service of Ukraine, which will expand the availability of medicines to the public.

More than 30 new active substances will be added to the program, including combination medicines for the treatment of cardiovascular, rheumatological, neurological, eye and endocrinological diseases. For the first time, the program will include medicines in the form of drops, ointments and medicines for children.

Residents of rural areas, frontline and remote regions will be able to use the service of drug delivery through Ukrposhta or mobile pharmacy outlets that are already operating in 13 regions. In case of refusal at the pharmacies located at hospitals, patients can contact the NHSU hotline at 16-77.

September 1: introduction of basic military training

Starting in September 2025, Ukraine will introduce a new basic military training program for men aged 18 to 25. This initiative will replace traditional conscription. Young people will learn the basics of military affairs in educational institutions and specialized defense centers. For women, such training will remain voluntary.

According to the law adopted in May 2024, the CPLR will become a mandatory discipline in higher education institutions of all forms of ownership. Graduates will receive a military accounting specialty and the necessary skills, including handling weapons, providing first aid and performing actions on the battlefield.

Those who undergo basic training while studying at a university will not be required to perform separate military service. At the same time, it will be impossible to work in the civil service, the National Police, the prosecutor's office, or government agencies without completing the CPE or service. This requirement will come into force in September 2026.

Also, starting in 2025, basic military service for men who are not students will be introduced. The duration and time of service (until the age of 24) will be free to choose. These changes are aimed at improving Ukraine's defense system and ensuring its security.

In 2025: introduction of the EES entry/exit system to EU countries

In 2025, the European Union is expected to launch a new automated Entry/Exit System (EES) to register the entry and exit of travelers from the Schengen area. The system aims to strengthen border controls and reduce the time for document checks. Its implementation has been repeatedly postponed due to the technical unreadiness of the border systems of key countries such as Germany, France and the Netherlands.

The EES will apply to all non-EU citizens, including Ukrainians and Britons, regardless of visa-free travel or visa requirements. However, it will not apply to EU citizens, EU residents, and those with long-term visas. The system applies only to short-term travel.

Instead of the traditional stamping of passports at the border, travelers will use biometric passports that will be scanned at automatic self-service terminals. Such terminals will be installed at all border crossings with Schengen countries.

The EES will provide more efficient tracking of the number of days travelers spend in the Schengen area, simplifying control and reducing the risk of violating the rules. The system will help speed up border crossing and improve security, creating more convenient conditions for tourists and visitors.

We remind you! Ukraine is successfully progressing in its European integration and is approaching accession to the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA). Find out what this will change and what strategic benefits the Ukrainian economy will gain from the simplification of financial transactions.

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