Cheap medicines, expensive cigarettes, indexed pensions: what awaits Ukrainians in April
31 March 17:32
Starting April 1, 2025, a number of laws and regulations will come into force in Ukraine that will govern several areas of Ukrainian life. What to expect in the second month of spring, read the article by Komersant ukrainskyi.
The limit on card transfers is no longer in effect
The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) is abolishing the general limit on transfers between individuals from bank cards, which previously amounted to UAH 150,000 per month. However, this does not mean complete freedom for all customers – banks can set their own limits.
In December 2024, the largest Ukrainian banks signed a Memorandum on Transparency of the Payment Services Market. As part of this agreement, starting from February 1, 2025, a limit of UAH 150,000 per month will be applied to customers with verified income. From June 1, 2025, this limit will be reduced to UAH 100 thousand.
For customers with unconfirmed income or high financial risks, banks may apply even stricter restrictions – up to UAH 50 thousand per month. These measures are aimed at combating shadow financial transactions and tax evasion.
Thus, although the NBU is lifting the government restrictions, the actual terms of transfers will depend on the policies of individual banks and the status of their clients.
Reservations made under the old rules will no longer be valid
Starting from 1 April 2025, new rules for issuing deferrals from mobilization will come into force in Ukraine. Previously issued deferrals will lose their validity, and to extend them, persons liable for military service will have to go through the procedure of re-booking.
Main changes
1. Cancellation of old deferments
All deferments issued before December 1, 2024, will cease to be valid. In order to retain the right to a deferment, it is necessary to re-submit documents and confirm the grounds for obtaining it.
2. Rebooking procedure
Employers of critical enterprises had until March 31, 2025, to submit lists of employees for reservation through the Diia portal. This applies to employees working in defense, healthcare, energy and other strategically important industries.
Citizens with other grounds for deferral, such as health reasons, studying or caring for relatives, should contact a territorial recruitment center (TCC). They need to provide supporting documents such as medical certificates, student ID cards or certificates of family circumstances.
3. Processing time
It takes up to 72 hours to process applications. However, the simplified fast-track booking procedure that was in effect until April is no longer applicable. Now all applications are considered in the general order.
4. Duration of the deferral
The new deferral is granted for the period corresponding to the grounds for its receipt, but not longer than the mobilization period established by the presidential decree. If the mobilization is extended, the right to deferment will be reviewed.
What recommendations are given to Ukrainians:
- Employees of critical enterprises should make sure that their employers have submitted their reservation lists in a timely manner.
- Persons liable for military service with other grounds for postponement should promptly contact the MCC and submit documents.
- Failure to do so may result in the loss of the right to deferment and the possibility of mobilization.
Thus, starting in April, the procedure for applying for deferment will become more structured and subject to strict deadlines. Control over the implementation of these rules is being strengthened, so citizens are advised not to delay the submission of documents.
Read also: “Reserve” expands opportunities: what new services will appear in the app by the end of spring
All medical examiners will start issuing conclusions in electronic form
Starting from April 1, 2025, Ukraine will introduce a system of electronic military medical commissions (MMCs), which means a transition to issuing conclusions on fitness or unfitness for military service in digital format. From now on, the results of medical examinations will be recorded in an electronic cabinet and automatically sent to the state register Oberig. This will greatly simplify the process and eliminate the need for personal submission of documents to the territorial recruitment centers (TCCs).
The main changes:
- Electronic conclusions. Conclusions of the TMCs are now issued in digital format. The data is immediately transferred to the register, which speeds up the decision-making process and reduces the likelihood of loss or forgery of documents.
- Data anonymization. At the next stage of the reform, it is planned to introduce the possibility of undergoing a preliminary medical examination in civilian medical institutions. In this case, medical data will be transmitted in an anonymized form, which will make it impossible to subjectively influence the decision-making process.
- Receiving paper copies. If necessary, citizens will be able to request a paper version of the conclusion. For example, in the case of a certificate of fitness for service or the need for treatment, the document can be obtained immediately after the examination. In the case of a certificate of illness, a paper version will be available after approval by the central or regional medical examination board.
The initiators of the reform hope that digitalization will minimize corruption risks, as medical reports will be recorded in the system and tracked in real time. In addition, the electronic format should speed up the passage of the VLC and make interaction with the military and medical institutions more convenient.
Another advantage, according to the authors of the reform, is centralized control: the Oberih register will ensure reliable data storage and accessibility for authorized bodies.
Pensions for working pensioners will be automatically recalculated
Pensions for working pensioners will be automatically recalculated in Ukraine. This will affect those who continued to work after retirement and acquired additional insurance record.
Who will receive pensions:
- Pensioners with 24 months of pensionable service. If less than two years have passed since the appointment or the last recalculation, but a person has accumulated 24 months of insurance period, his or her pension will be increased.
- For pensioners with less length of service. If the length of service was less than 24 months, but at least two years have passed since the last recalculation, the pension is also subject to recalculation.
There is no need to apply to the Pension Fund. The recalculation will be made on the basis of data on insurance period and salary received from employers.
Who will not be affected by the recalculation of pensions:
- Pensioners who have been awarded a long-service pension and have not yet reached the age of 60.
- Those who did not work after receiving their pension or have no additional insurance record.
When and how the increased pensions will be paid
The recalculation will actually take place in June 2025, after the data on insurance premiums for the first quarter is received. Pensioners will receive additional payments for April and May along with their June pensions.
The amount of the supplement will be individualized and depends on the additional length of service and salary. For example, with a pension of UAH 5,000 and 30 years of service, the increase may be about UAH 333.
Prices for 116 medicines will be reduced
Starting from April 1, 2025, prices for 116 medicines will be reduced in Ukraine. This will be part of a program to reduce the cost of medicines initiated by the Ministry of Health. Health Minister Viktor Lyashko noted that the discounts will range from 5% to 52% depending on the drug.
“The biggest reduction will affect expensive drugs, where prices will drop by about 5%. On average, medicines will become 17% cheaper on the market,” said Mr. Lyashko.
Thus, the total number of medicines with reduced prices will amount to 222 drugs. This is a continuation of the initiative, which has already reduced prices for 100 popular Ukrainian-made drugs by 30% since March 1, 2025. Later, in March, prices were reduced for 104 more drugs.
To implement this program, Ukraine uses a reference pricing mechanism. Prices for medicines are compared with those in nine European Union countries. If the price in Ukraine is higher, manufacturers or importers cannot register the drug at that price.
“We have done everything possible to ensure that prices for medicines are fair. Thanks to the reference pricing and the abolition of marketing payments, the population will have access to essential medicines at lower prices,” emphasized Lyashko.
In addition, Ukraine has introduced additional regulation of margins for pharmacy chains. The State Service of Ukraine on Food Safety and Consumer Protection will conduct inspections to prevent unreasonable price increases.
Read also: Medicines will become cheaper again in Ukraine
The cost of cigarettes will increase
Starting from April 1, 2025, an increase in the excise tax on tobacco products will come into force in Ukraine, which will lead to an increase in the cost of cigarettes. This is part of the government’s systematic policy to bring excise rates closer to the EU standards and reduce the consumption of tobacco products.
Why are cigarette prices rising?
1. The excise tax is increasing. According to the amendments to the Tax Code of Ukraine, from April to December 2025, cigarette producers and importers will pay excise tax with a coefficient of 1.1, which will effectively increase the tax burden by 10%. This is one of Ukraine’s commitments as part of its European integration.
2. Convergence with EU norms. In the European Union, the excise tax on cigarettes should be at least 60% of the cost of a pack. Ukraine is gradually approaching these figures in order to fulfill the conditions of the Association Agreement with the EU and reduce smoking among the population.
3. Additional budget revenues. The increase in excise taxes is also aimed at replenishing the state budget. The additional funds are expected to be used to finance healthcare, educational programs and social initiatives.
How will prices change?
At the beginning of 2025, the average price of a pack of cigarettes in Ukraine is about UAH 99.1. Taking into account the excise tax increase, the price may increase by about UAH 5.5 per pack, which will amount to about UAH 104.6.
And according to preliminary forecasts, by 2028 the price of a pack of cigarettes may reach UAH 173.6. This is due to further planned excise tax increases.
How will this affect Ukrainians?
1. Reduced availability of cigarettes. The rise in the price of cigarettes may become an incentive to reduce smoking, especially among young people and low-income citizens.
2. Risk of smuggling and illegal trade. The rise in prices for legal cigarettes may trigger an increase in the volume of the illegal tobacco market. The authorities plan to tighten control over smuggling and counterfeiting.
3. Public health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), raising the price of tobacco products is one of the most effective ways to reduce smoking. In the long run, it can reduce morbidity and mortality from tobacco-related diseases.
What’s next
In April, shops and kiosks will be able to sell stocks of cigarettes produced before the new excise tax was introduced at the same prices. However, new batches of products with an already increased excise tax will go on sale at a higher price. Retailers will be obliged to indicate the current prices to avoid unfair overstatement of prices.
The government plans to continue gradually raising excise taxes to meet EU targets. At the same time, additional measures are being considered to support smoking cessation programs, including social advertising, sales restrictions, and additional educational initiatives.
Restrictions on fishing will come into effect
On April 1, 2025, the annual spring and summer spawning ban on fishing will come into effect in Ukraine. This measure is aimed at preserving and restoring fish populations during their reproduction. The ban covers most of the country’s water bodies and is valid for different periods depending on the type of water body and region.
The ban will last until May 30 on rivers and their tributaries, and until June 19 on reservoirs, lakes and bays. However, fishing is not completely prohibited. During spawning, fishermen are allowed to fish from the shore using a float or bottom fishing rod with one hook, as well as a spinning rod with one artificial lure.
Any commercial fishing, spearfishing, and movement on water bodies using motor boats and other watercraft in prohibited areas is prohibited. Exceptions are made only for special cases provided for by law.
Violation of the spawning ban is subject to serious sanctions. Violators face fines ranging from UAH 34,000 to UAH 680,000, and in particularly severe cases, criminal liability with imprisonment for up to three years, confiscation of fishing gear and all catch is possible.
In order to avoid fines, fishermen are advised to check the details of the ban with the territorial offices of the State Fisheries Agency, as the terms and restrictions may vary depending on the region and type of water body.
