Fines, subsidies, tickets via "Dia", holidays and mourning: all changes from 1 August

From August, a number of significant innovations will come into force in Ukraine, which will affect both entrepreneurs and ordinary citizens. The changes will affect fines, payment system, medical care, rules for buying railway tickets and many other aspects of everyday life.

Increase in fines for entrepreneurs for trading without a cash register

As of 1 August, the transition period during which entrepreneurs - physical persons-entrepreneurs (PEPs) - could pay reduced fines for violations in the work with registers of settlement operations (RROs) is over. Now the fines will increase significantly and will range from 100% of the value of goods or services for the first violation and 150% for each subsequent violation. During the adaptation period, the fines were much lower and reached 25-50% of the value.

The new penalties are applied in cases when an entrepreneur fails to issue a receipt, does not use an RPO or software RPO (PRRO), or makes mistakes in the details of a fiscal document. However, some exceptions remain: this applies to entrepreneurs of the first group, businesses without cash payments (except acquiring through systems like LiqPay or Fondy), trading at markets from trays of certain goods, as well as entrepreneurs who operate in territories with active hostilities or are in the zone of occupation.

Open banking - new opportunities for payment with multiple cards

From August 2025, Ukraine will start implementing an open banking system, which will allow to pay for purchases with a single action with the possibility of debiting several bank cards of the client at the same time, if there is not enough money on one of them. To work with this system, users will need to install a special application, be authorised via BankID and give permission to access their accounts.

It should be noted that only the NBU resolution comes into force on 1 August, and the technical implementation process itself will take about a year and a half. Full-fledged launch of open banking is expected in 2027, when banks will complete all necessary procedures and will be able to fully provide the service.

Buying tickets on UZ only through Dia

From 1 August, Ukrzaliznytsia launches a test system of ticket verification through the application "Dia" on five popular routes between major cities. Now tickets for these flights will not be sold in ticket offices, and you can buy them only online, confirming your identity through "Diya". The flights covered by the innovation are:

• Odessa - Kiev (#105/106);

• Lviv - Kiev (#91/92);

• Kiev - Uzhgorod (#29/30);

• Lviv - Odessa (#12);

• Kiev - Chop (No. 27/28).

To use the service you need to install the application "Diya", activate the function "Diya. Signature", pass photo verification and set a PIN-code. Note that servicemen will be able to continue to buy tickets through specialised services UZ or the application "Army +". on 1 August, it also became known that the number of trains where "Dia" will be used has been reduced to three:

• Kiev - Uzhgorod (#29/30);

• Lviv - Odessa (#12);

• Kiev - Chop (#27/28).

Expansion of the "Affordable Medicines" programme

The state programme "Affordable Medicines" will be supplemented with new medicines in August. Drugs for the treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, as well as drugs for pregnant women will be added to the list of free medicines. These include drugs based on indapamide and thorasemide to control blood pressure and relieve oedema, methyldopa for hypertension in pregnant women, as well as drugs with divalent iron and folic acid to prevent anaemia in pregnant women and women after childbirth.

This decision is aimed at improving citizens' access to life-saving medicines, especially for vulnerable groups.

Entrance campaign to higher education: important deadlines

August is a key month in the 2025 admission campaign. The application process for higher education institutions closes as early as 1 August. By 6 August, the lists of those recommended for the budget must be published, and confirmation of the intention to study for free must be submitted by 18:00 on 9 August. Enrolment for budgetary places takes place after that, and those who do not confirm their choice, will be able to enrol on a contract.

Lists of applicants entering on contract will appear after 12 August, and the whole admission process will last until 30 August. If there are free budgetary places, transfer to them will be possible until 18 August. Some educational institutions may additionally recruit students until October.

Independence Day celebrations and martial law

This year the main state holiday - Independence Day of Ukraine - falls on Sunday, 24 August. Usually in such a situation the following Monday becomes a day off. However, due to the current martial law, all official days off and postponements have been cancelled. The Verkhovna Rada extended the martial law regime until 5 November 2025, so there will be no additional day off during this period.

Changes in the army

New types of deferrals in the Reserve+ app

In early August, the Ministry of Defence will expand the functionality of the "Reserve+" application by introducing new options for obtaining deferments from mobilisation. Now it will be possible to apply for deferment online, without visiting territorial manning centres. Among the new categories that will be able to receive deferment are:

• teachers, pedagogues and researchers registered in the Unified State Electronic Basic Educational Institution (USEBO);

• persons whose spouse has a Group I or II disability, in the presence of supporting documents from the Pension Fund, Ministry of Social Policy or DRACS.

Applications are submitted through the main menu of the application, and after review, users will receive a decision notification. The Defence Minister started beta testing the feature as early as mid-July.

Completion of the SOC

August will be the last month of the simplified procedure for the return of servicemen from the unauthorised abandonment of units. This mechanism provided for the possibility to voluntarily arrive at the military unit, express readiness to continue service and within three days to resume the contract, monetary and material support, even if criminal proceedings have been opened against the serviceman.

The simplified procedure is valid for those who left units or places of service before 10 May 2025, as well as for servicemen whose military service was suspended at the time of their return to certain reserve battalions. As of 1 September, the mechanism will cease to work.

Withdrawal of reservations from military registration in August

In connection with the extension of martial law and the launch of a new stage of mobilisation from 7 August, some men may lose their reservations. The grounds for removal of the reservation are related to the change of the status of the company, liquidation of the organisation, termination of the employment contract or untimely renewal of the reservation by the employer.

You can find out about the availability of the reservation through territorial manning centres, the Reserve+ application and the personnel services of enterprises.

New rules for serving combat summonses

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved an updated procedure for serving combat sum monses to citizens deemed fit for military service. Now it will be possible to receive the summons not necessarily personally from the hands of employees of territorial manning centres - it will be delivered by registered mail through the national postal operator "Ukrposhta".

Who is affected by the new rules of serving subpoenas

The changes affect two main groups of citizens:

• those who have recently undergone a military medical commission (MVC) and received a conclusion on fitness for service;

• those who already have a valid VVK conclusion, but the period of deferment from conscription has expired.

Thus, if a person is recognised fit for military service and officially does not have a deferment, he can expect to receive a summons by mail. This innovation is designed to simplify and systematise the process of summoning citizens for service, as well as to increase the efficiency of document delivery.

Pensions, tariffs and subsidies

Cessation of UN aid to pensioners and implications

Since August, the provision of assistance to pensioners within the framework of the UN World Food Programme is stopped. Ministry of Social Policy reports that this is due to financial constraints of the international organisation. Previously, such support was provided to pensioners who live in zones of active hostilities, receive a pension of less than 3250 hryvnia and have no other international assistance.

In this regard, some pensioners will no longer receive additional supplement to their pensions, which may affect their financial situation.

Age increments to pensions from August

General indexation of pensions in August is not planned, but for some pensioners there are additional payments by age. Pensioners over 70 years old will automatically receive additional payments depending on their age: from UAH 300 for those aged 70-74 to UAH 570 for those over 80. The payment is made in proportion to the number of days after the birthday.

At the same time, the supplement is due only to those whose total pension with additional payments does not exceed 10 340,35 hryvnias.

Peculiarities of disability payments and their indexation

In August, there will be no increase in disability pensions. The amount of such payments depends on individual circumstances, including age, degree of disability and length of service. The minimum payments for persons with disabilities of the first group are UAH 3323, for persons with disabilities of the second and third groups - UAH 2520 (for non-working) and UAH 2093 (for working).

It should be noted that the minimum pension cannot be lower than the subsistence minimum, which is set at UAH 2,361. Also since July, the PFU appointed payments for people with disabilities from childhood.

Payments for Independence Day

In August, monetary aid for Independence Day is traditionally paid, which in 2025 will be from 450 to 3100 hryvnias depending on the status of the recipient. Participants of military operations, victims of the Revolution of Dignity and other categories can receive such payments.

Most of the payments will be made automatically, but some will have to apply to the CNAP or the Pension Fund.

Assistance to internally displaced persons and social guarantees

The amount of assistance to internally displaced persons (IDPs) will remain unchanged: 3,000 UAH for children and persons with disabilities, and 2,000 UAH for adults. The National Social Service of Ukraine is also implementing a pilot project to facilitate the adaptation of IDPs. For example, the elderly and disabled among the IDPs will be able to stay free of charge in sanatoria in Truskavets and Mirgorod. In the first half of 2025, about 4,000 people took advantage of this opportunity.

Indexation of salaries in August

In August there will be another indexation of salaries, in particular for those who chose December 2024 (the fourth indexation) and January 2025 (the second indexation at a coefficient of 4.4%) as the base month.

Tariffs for public utilities

The cost of electricity for households will remain at UAH 4.32 per kilowatt-hour until October 2025. Owners of two-zone meters will pay different tariffs: daytime - UAH 4.32, nighttime - UAH 2.16 per kilowatt-hour. For owners of three-zone meters, the tariff will be distributed over three time periods.

Water supply and drainage will not increase in general, but in some localities local authorities may decide to change tariffs.

The price of gas under Naftohaz's fixed tariff will remain at UAH 7.96 per cubic metre until the end of the year. Other regulators also do not plan to raise tariffs.

Electricity tariff increase for industry

For the industrial sector, the marginal prices for electricity in the evening hours (from 17:00 to 23:00) increased from 1 July. Tariffs in the day-ahead and intra-day market increased from UAH 9,000 to UAH 15,000 per megawatt-hour, and in the balancing market from UAH 10,000 to UAH 16,000.

As of 31 July, changes related to the increase in the maximum permitted price level for electricity during the evening peak consumption period will come into force in Ukraine. This decision was made on 25 July by the National Commission for State Regulation in the Sphere of Energy and Utilities (NKREKU).

The increase will affect the time interval from 17:00 to 23:00, when the load on the energy system traditionally reaches peak values. During this period, electricity tariffs will increase by about 1.67 times. Specifically, in the day-ahead and intra-day market, the marginal price will be increased from UAH 9,000 to UAH 15,000 per megawatt-hour. In the balancing market, tariffs will also rise from UAH 10,000 to UAH 16,000 per megawatt-hour.

Peculiarities of work with housing subsidies in August

August is marked by the continuation of the unheated season, and the Pension Fund bodies determine the right to housing subsidies for the period until 30 April 2026. For those who have already received a subsidy, the assignment is automatic if there is no change in property status and household composition.

However, for some categories, including families with internally displaced persons, people living in rented accommodation, or if there is a change in household composition, an application and declaration must be submitted in person. For such families, the designation process has been simplified by removing prohibitions related to the purchase of a home or the presence of deposits. Also, the threshold of indebtedness entitling to a subsidy has been raised to 4000 hryvnias for large families, foster families and family-type children's homes.

For internally displaced persons who have not changed their place of residence, the subsidy is automatically assigned.