Key Reforms Launching in Ukraine on February 1, 2026
A series of significant regulatory changes concerning employee mobilization deferrals, social benefits, education, telecommunications, and administrative services will come into force in Ukraine on February 1, 2026. These wide-ranging reforms are designed to adapt to current conditions and will impact a substantial portion of the population.
Major Policy Changes
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Employee Mobilization Deferrals: The standard timeframe for processing employee deferrals from military service via the 'Diia' portal is being restored. Employers will once again have 72 hours to submit a reservation, instead of the previous 24-hour window. Furthermore, the cancellation of a deferral can now only be initiated no more than once every five days.
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Social Benefits: A new monthly supplement of 20,000 UAH will be introduced for workers in the energy, district heating, gas, municipal utilities, and 'Ukrzaliznytsia' (Ukrainian Railways) sectors, covering the period from January to March 2026. Additionally, monthly payments of 3,000 UAH per child for internally displaced families to cover housing rental costs have been reinstated. The income threshold for IDP (Internally Displaced Person) eligibility for these payments has been raised from 9,444 UAH to 10,380 UAH.
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Education: Due to the ongoing energy emergency, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine has recommended extending the winter school holidays until February 1, 2026. The Kyiv City State Administration has supported this recommendation, officially prolonging the break for students.
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'800+' Program for Ukrainians in Poland: New eligibility rules for the '800+' support program in Poland take effect on February 1, 2026. To qualify, at least one parent must have been employed in the previous month with a minimum gross salary of 2,333 PLN, and the child must attend a Polish school or kindergarten. Current '800+' payments ended on January 31, 2026, and new applications must be submitted for the 2025/2026 period.
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Telecommunications: A 5G pilot project, which launched on January 12 in Lviv where over 20 base stations are now operational, will expand to Kharkiv in February. The technology was also launched in Borodianka in January. This pilot is scheduled to run until December 2026, and over 23% of smartphones in Ukraine are already 5G-capable.
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New Rules for Leave and Housing: From February 3, a new provision grants an additional 90 calendar days of leave to military personnel released from captivity. Starting February 9, area limits are introduced for the 'eOselia' (eHousing) mortgage program: apartments cannot exceed 52.5 sq m for 1-2 persons, plus 21 sq m for each additional resident; for houses, the limit is 62.5 sq m for 1-2 persons plus 21 sq m per additional resident, with maximum caps of 115.5 sq m and 125.5 sq m, respectively. A new electronic registry system for issuing apostilles will also be implemented, replacing the paper-based process in use since 2015.
These reforms are part of the Ukrainian government's broader efforts to enhance social welfare, adapt to new economic realities, and support the population during wartime. The introduction of new benefits, adjustments to education, and the rollout of modern technologies like 5G reflect the state's intent to improve living standards and access to advanced services. These measures are likely to have a tangible impact on daily life, particularly for internally displaced persons and workers in critical economic sectors. The changes come as Ukraine continues to balance wartime needs with long-term societal and infrastructural development.