The Verkhovna Rada has approved Ukraine's state budget for 2026: key priorities and indicators

Ukraine's updated state budget for 2026 provides for record spending on defense, education, healthcare, and social protection, maintaining the country's main priorities in the context of the war. Find out what key changes the 2026 budget entails and how they will affect the lives of Ukrainians next year

More useful news on our Telegram channel

FOLLOW

During its regular session, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine supported the law on the state budget for 2026 in its second reading and as a whole. The document was voted for by 257 people's deputies, ensuring its final adoption.

Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko, presenting the budget to parliament, stressed that the main priorities remained unchanged: financing the security and defense sector, education, social protection of citizens, and supporting economic stability amid ongoing Russian aggression. At the same time, he emphasized that a significant budget deficit remains due to the need to finance defense and critical state needs.

Revenues, expenditures, and budget deficit

According to the adopted document, state budget revenues in 2026 are projected at UAH 2.918 trillion. By the second reading, they were increased by taking into account future revenues from an increase in the tax rate on bank profits from 25% to 50%. This decision should add another UAH 30 billion to the budget.

Expenditures in 2026 will amount to UAH 4.781 trillion. During the finalization of the document, funding was increased for a number of important areas:

the reserve fund — by UAH 19 billion,

a phased increase in salaries for educators,

the purchase of passenger cars,

the implementation of state housing policy.

The maximum budget deficit has increased by almost UAH 6 billion and will amount to UAH 1.9 trillion, which is equal to 18.5% of GDP.

Don't want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

The main priorities of the 2026 budget are security, education, and social protection.

Security and defense sector

In 2026, UAH 2.806 trillion is earmarked for defense and security, which is 27.2% of GDP. This is the largest item of expenditure, due to the need to ensure the country's defense capability.

Education

The education sector will receive significant additional funding. The budget provides for:

a 30% increase in teachers' salaries from January 1 and a 20% increase from September 1,

expansion of the food reform — UAH 14 billion,

increase in academic scholarships — UAH 6.6 billion.

At the same time, the structure of teachers' salaries will remain unchanged — neither the workload nor other parameters will be increased.

Social protection, medicine, support for veterans

Approximately UAH 470 billion is earmarked for social support for citizens.

UAH 19 billion is allocated for veteran policy, which is UAH 6.3 billion more than in 2025.

Almost UAH 260 billion is planned to be allocated for healthcare, which is UAH 39 billion more than last year.

Support for local budgets and strengthening of the financial system

The head of the Budget Committee, Roksolana Pidlasa, said that local budgets will receive additional funds by increasing their share of personal income tax to 64%. These funds will be used to pay for energy and cover the difference in tariffs, which will allow local authorities not to raise utility tariffs for the population.

Additionally, the following was provided for:

UAH 1 billion — for the purchase of weapons and equipment for the Armed Forces of Ukraine,

UAH 244 million — for the Economic Security Bureau to strengthen the fight against the shadow economy.

In conclusion, Serhiy Marchenko emphasized that the adoption of the state budget is an important signal of unity for international partners. Ukraine needs to attract more than $45 billion in external financing in 2026, so having an approved budget is a key argument in negotiations.

Reminder! The winter support programme is once again helping Ukrainians cope with seasonal expenses: the state credits 1,000 hryvnias to a special account, and these funds can only be spent in certain categories. In 2025–2026, the rules have become stricter, so it is important to understand which purchases are actually allowed. Find out what exactly you can spend your winter thousand on.

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

Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance - insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;

Green Card - compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;

Visit Ukraine Tickets - book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;

Private Lawyer service - professional legal support on visa and migration issues;

Visit Ukraine Merch - buy patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

© 2018-2025, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.