Pensions, checks, medicine prices: what will change in Ukraine from March 1

Important changes, including pension payments and drug prices, will come into effect in Ukraine on March 1, 2025. These innovations are aimed at improving social protection for citizens and ensuring the availability of medical products.

Pension indexation: increasing payments for millions of Ukrainians

The Government of Ukraine has decided to index pensions from March 1, 2025. This means that more than 10 million pensioners will receive an 11.5% increase in payments. The indexation applies to the following categories of citizens:

• 9.2 million pensioners who are granted pensions on a general basis;
• 672 thousand pensioners of law enforcement agencies;
• 98 thousand people who receive disability pensions and pensions for the loss of a breadwinner as a result of the Chernobyl disaster;
• 79.6 thousand pensioners with disabilities as a result of the war and combatants;
• 23.4 thousand former employees of local governments and civil servants.

The minimum increase will be UAH 100, and the maximum will be UAH 1,500. The average projected increase in pensions after indexation will be UAH 556, which will increase the average pension in Ukraine from UAH 5,789 to UAH 6,345.

The indexation amount was calculated based on official economic development indicators for 2024: consumer price growth — 12%; average wage growth for 2022–2024 — 11%.

In addition, from April 1, 2025, pensions will be automatically transferred to 629,000 working pensioners, taking into account the updated insurance experience.

Reducing drug prices: new pricing rules

In order to ensure the availability of medicines for the population, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine is introducing restrictions on trade markups in pharmacies from March 1, 2025. The following maximum retail markups to the purchase price have been established:

• for over-the-counter medicines — no more than 35%;
• for prescription drugs worth up to 500 UAH — 25%, from 500 to 1000 UAH — 20%, over 1000 UAH — 10%.

For medicines included in the National List of Essential Medicines, surcharges are differentiated depending on the cost of the drug:

• up to 100 UAH — 25%;
• from 100 to 500 UAH — 20%;
• from 500 to 1000 UAH — 15%;
• over 1000 UAH — 10%.

Marginal supply and sales margins are limited to a level not exceeding 8%.

In addition, leading domestic drug manufacturers signed a declaration on reducing and stabilizing prices for the 100 most commonly used drugs. According to this declaration, from March 1, 2025, the retail prices for these drugs will be reduced by 30% compared to prices as of January 2025. The list includes drugs for the treatment of colds, antihistamines, anti-inflammatory drugs, vitamins and trace elements, antihypertensives and other drugs.

These measures are aimed at improving the availability of medical products for the population and ensuring social protection for the most vulnerable segments of society.

New fines for sole proprietors for using old check forms

From March 1, 2025, all business entities using payment transaction registrars (PRO) are required to issue fiscal checks in the updated form. The use of old check forms will result in the imposition of fines:

• 100% of the sales amount for the first violation;
• 150% of the sales amount for each subsequent violation.

These sanctions will apply to all entrepreneurs, including individual entrepreneurs (IEOs). To avoid fines, it is necessary to update the RRO software and ensure that checks comply with the new requirements.

Possible cancellation of declarations with family doctors

From March 1, 2025, some declarations with family doctors may become inactive due to data inconsistencies in the medical system and state registers. This applies to patients who:

• there is no identification code (TIN) in the declaration;
• incorrect passport data;
• Outdated or inaccurate information about your place of residence.

To avoid cancellation of your declaration and maintain access to free medical services, it is recommended to check and update your data in the electronic health system (EHS) through your family doctor.

Changing clocks for daylight saving time

Traditionally, in Ukraine, the transition to daylight saving time takes place on the last Sunday in March. In 2025, this falls on March 30 at 03:00, when the clocks should be moved forward one hour — to 04:00. This means that you will have to sleep one hour less, but the daylight hours will be longer.

Changes in reservation rules from mobilization

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has extended the deferrals for reserved military personnel until March 31, 2025. This decision provides additional time for businesses to confirm their critical status and rebook personnel in accordance with the updated criteria. After this date, it is possible to remove the deferrals or rebook employees.

Restrictions on traveling abroad

In March, men transporting humanitarian and medical cargo will be allowed to travel abroad on general grounds. Such drivers will be allowed to leave Ukraine only if they have other reasons for leaving, such as being 60+ years old, having many children, or being disabled.

Also, starting March 3, artists will be suspended from traveling abroad due to numerous cases of abuse. The Ministry of Culture will develop a new algorithm for issuing permits.

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