What changes await Ukrainians in December 2025: winter payments, reservations, housing for IDPs and other important innovations

This winter, Ukrainians will face a number of important decisions that will affect finances, social assistance, housing, and mobilization procedures. Many programs are available now, so it's important to know what exactly is changing. Find out more about all the main updates in December

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December will bring several important changes to Ukrainians at once: from new social benefits and the opportunity to receive compensation for destroyed housing to updated booking rules, tariffs and new services of Ukrzaliznytsia. Some of the decisions will come into effect on December 1, while others will be implemented within a month.

As the country prepares for the winter holidays, the government, parliament and state agencies are introducing new support programs, adjusting tariff policies and launching long-awaited initiatives for IDPs, pensioners, families of the deceased and people in difficult circumstances. This article summarizes all the key changes in December that may affect the lives of every Ukrainian.

State budget 2026 and difficult decisions

In early December, MPs are to adopt the state budget for 2026, and this document may bring a number of important changes to Ukrainians. After negotiations with the IMF, the government agreed to revise some tax exemptions and broaden the tax base. This is necessary to increase budget revenues and reduce dependence on international aid.

According to Bloomberg, among the key innovations is the introduction of VAT for individual entrepreneurs who declare more than UAH 1 million in annual income. It is also planned to abolish the current exemption from import duties for parcels worth up to 150 euros, which may disappear.

Danylo Hetmantsev, chairman of the parliamentary committee on financial policy, has repeatedly emphasized that “decisions will be difficult” because most budget parameters are tied to agreements with the IMF. However, the final vote may be complicated by political tensions caused by the Energoatom corruption scandal.

The budget chapter also includes macro indicators that will directly affect the incomes of citizens. It is expected that:

- The minimum wage will increase from UAH 8000 to UAH 8647;

- The subsistence minimum will increase from UAH 2920 to UAH 3209;

- Minimum pension - from UAH 2361 to UAH 2595.

These figures will be the basis for the recalculation of salaries, unified social tax, fines and other social benefits in 2026.

Ukrzaliznytsia's UZ-3000 program: free travel for frontline regions

In December, Ukrzaliznytsia will launch a pilot program called UZ-3000 in certain frontline regions, which allows residents of these areas to travel by train for free. Each participant will be able to travel up to 3,000 km without paying in compartment or reserved seats.

The initiative is currently in test mode, and its full launch for all Ukrainians is scheduled for January 2026. Free tickets will be provided only on days when passenger traffic is lowest, which should help the railroad distribute the load on routes more evenly.

It is also noted that starting from December 14, trains will run every hour on the Kyiv-Lviv-Kyiv route. This will significantly increase the accessibility of the route and allow passengers to plan their trips more flexibly, even during the winter holidays and high demand.

Hourly trains to Lviv and other innovations of Ukrzaliznytsia

Starting December 14, 2025, Ukrzaliznytsia will switch to a new train schedule for the 2025-2026 season. One of the most noticeable changes will be the launch of hourly trains in the Kyiv-Lviv-Kyiv direction, which should make it easier to plan trips and balance passenger traffic on the popular route.

Another important innovation is the expansion of the capabilities of the Ukrzaliznytsia mobile application. Starting in mid-December, passengers will be able to buy online tickets for suburban trains and City Express, which was not possible before: until now, the app only sold tickets for long-distance routes and high-speed trains.

The pilot launch will cover 12 regions, but not yet privileged categories of passengers - the option will be available for them later. The company notes that the digitalization of suburban transportation should reduce queues and facilitate access to travel in the regions.

Remember that you can quickly and easily buy train tickets on the Visit Ukraine portal. The convenient interface of our booking service allows you to compare prices and choose the most suitable option for your trip in just a few clicks.

Winter support program 2025

In December, Ukraine launched the nationwide Winter Support program, under which every citizen in the government-controlled territory can receive UAH 1,000 in aid. This money can be used to pay for utilities, purchase food, medicines, Ukrainian books, or make a charitable contribution to official funds.

In addition to the basic payment, extended assistance is also available - UAH 6,500 for low-income families, people with disabilities, single pensioners, orphans and other vulnerable categories.

Applications are accepted until:

- December 17 for a payment of UAH 6500;

- December 24 for a payment of UAH 1000.

There are three ways to apply:

1. Through the Diia application;

2. Automatically for pensioners and recipients of social benefits through Ukrposhta;

3. In person at a Ukrposhta branch for people without a smartphone and without other types of government payments.

Important! These funds cannot be withdrawn in cash, they are used only for purposes authorized by the state: medicines, products of Ukrainian producers, utilities, books or postal services.

In our previous article, we provided a detailed list of goods and services for which 1000 Winter Support can be spent.

As of December 2, more than 13 million Ukrainians have already applied, and about 4 million have received funds on the National Cashback card. Last year, 11 million people took advantage of the program.

Additional winter payment of UAH 6500 for vulnerable categories

Until December 17, Ukrainians in difficult life circumstances can apply for extended support in the amount of UAH 6,500. This assistance is intended for families with children in need of guardianship or care, children with disabilities, foster and foster care children, IDP children, and low-income families with children under 18. People with disabilities of group I among IDPs and single pensioners who receive a care allowance are separately eligible for the payment.

You can apply through the Diia app or at a Pension Fund service center. The money is transferred to the Diia.Card or to an account with a special mode of use.

The funds can be spent within 180 days from the date of receipt - only on certain categories of goods: medicines, clothing, footwear and other essentials.

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New compensation program for destroyed or lost housing for IDPs

Starting from December 1, internally displaced persons who have the status of combatants or have been disabled as a result of the war can apply for participation in a new state program of compensation for housing lost in the temporarily occupied territories.

Under this initiative, the government provides vouchers worth up to UAH 2 million for one person or family. The certificate can be used for:

- Buying an apartment or house;

- Investing in housing construction;

- Paying a down payment or repaying a part of the mortgage.

The application can be submitted only through the Diia app (later - at the ASC or through a notary). Applications are processed within 30 days, and the state does not check the condition of housing in the occupied territories, but applicants must provide information about it in the form.

Only those IDPs who do not have their own housing in the government-controlled areas and have not previously received housing assistance are eligible for the voucher. The document will be valid for 5 years, and the purchased housing cannot be sold for the next five years.

According to the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, funding from partners has already been confirmed for the first wave of payments, which will be enough for about 3,700 families. The government plans to expand the program.

Earlier, we told you how the programs for the purchase of primary housing: eOselya, Domivka+, loans for young people, the program for Mariupol residents, and eVidnuvannya work.

Mandatory identification of pensioners by the end of December

By December 31, pensioners temporarily residing abroad or in the occupied territories of Ukraine are required to be identified by the Pension Fund. Failure to do so will result in a suspension of pension payments starting January 1, 2026.

The Pension Fund also notes that regardless of identification, payments will be suspended for those citizens who have received a pension from the Russian occupation authorities. During the verification, a person must report whether he or she receives any payments from the Russian Federation, but the government has not yet disclosed the mechanism for verifying this data.

Pensioners can confirm their identity in several ways:

- Contact the consular office or embassy of the country of residence;

- Hold a video conference with PFU employees via Viber, Google Meet or Zoom;

- Use the functions of the Diia app.

Increase in state benefits for families of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes

Starting from December 1, the state will increase the monthly allowance for disabled family members of the Heavenly Hundred Heroes. They will now receive UAH 12,971 per month, which is the largest increase in payments in recent years.

If a family has two or more dependents, the amount will be divided equally between them. The supplement is provided both to the survivor's pension and to the old-age or disability pension, depending on the status of the person.

The payments are being made to 92 family members of 76 Heavenly Hundred Heroes - people killed by security forces during the Revolution of Dignity in February 2014. The Ministry of Social Policy emphasizes that the state must provide fair and decent support to families who have lost loved ones in the fight for freedom and values for which Ukrainian defenders continue to fight.

New rules for reserving persons liable for military service for 45 days

Starting from December 4, critical enterprises have been granted the right to hire employees liable for military service, even if they have problems with their military records. This possibility is provided for by the updated law on the organization of labor relations under martial law.

Previously, employees who failed to register or had errors in their documents were not subject to reservation and could be mobilized immediately. The new rules allow companies to reserve such persons for 45 days once a year, giving them time to correct the violations.

If the person liable for military service does not correct the deficiencies in the documents within the allotted period, the reservation will be automatically canceled.

These changes were introduced due to frequent cases when employees of critical enterprises were mobilized before the official reservation. This created a shortage of staff and jeopardized the smooth functioning of enterprises that meet the needs of the Armed Forces, the economy and the population during the special period.

Earlier, we told you that the conditions for reserving employees from mobilization will change in Ukraine starting in 2026.

Temporary ban on crayfish fishing in Ukrainian waters

Starting from December 1, 2025, a ban on crayfish fishing will officially come into force in Ukraine. This step is aimed at preserving their population and restoring the natural balance in water bodies.

The duration of the ban depends on specific reservoirs:

- December 15, 2025 - June 30, 2026 - Kyiv, Kaniv, Kremenchuk, Kamianske, and Dnipro reservoirs;

- December 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026 - all other fishery reservoirs in the country.

Important! The ban is in effect year-round in Zakarpattia region, as it is home to a rare broad-toed crayfish listed in the Red Book of Ukraine.

Fishermen and water recreation enthusiasts are asked to closely follow regional rules and comply with the ban, as violations may result in administrative liability.

New Nova Poshta tariffs updated from December 1

Starting December 1, 2025, Nova Poshta will change the cost of some of its services. Some tariffs will increase, while others will decrease. The update applies primarily to the delivery of documents, parcels within the city and Ukraine, as well as courier pickup services.

The main changes are as follows:

1. Delivery of documents:

- within the city - UAH 60 (previously UAH 65);

- within Ukraine - UAH 70 (previously UAH 65).

2. Post offices: tariffs increase by UAH 10.

3. Courier delivery and parcel pickup: price increase by UAH 50.

4. Parcels between branches (in the city):

- up to 10 kg - UAH 100 (previously UAH 90);

- up to 30 kg - UAH 160 (previously UAH 140).

5. Parcels between branches (within Ukraine):

up to 10 kg - UAH 120 (previously UAH 110);

up to 30 kg - UAH 180 (previously UAH 160).

Other tariffs of the company remain unchanged.

December holidays and important dates of the month

December is traditionally full of public, religious and professional holidays. It is a period of celebrations dedicated to both winter traditions and honoring Ukrainian defenders and workers in key sectors.

Among the most significant dates:

- December 6 - Day of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and St. Nicholas Day;

- December 12 - Day of the Land Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine;

- December 21 - Winter Solstice, the longest night of the year;

- December 22 - Power Engineer's Day;

- December 25 - Christmas in the new style.

Many of these dates are occasions to remember the Ukrainian military and the people who ensure the country's vital activity even in the most difficult periods.

We remind you! Ukrzaliznytsia is opening new international routes. Read more about which destinations will be launched in December 2025 and what convenient connections are available.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

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