The Verkhovna Rada has registered a draft law that provides for a significant increase in social standards in 2026. The document proposes to increase the subsistence minimum, minimum wage, pensions and military salaries. The initiative also includes a cap on maximum salaries in the public sector and an increase in bank profit tax.
Briefly about the main points
- Draft law No. 15224-5 proposes to increase the subsistence minimum by more than UAH 10 thousand
- Minimum wage may increase to UAH 12,160 in 2026
- Minimum pension is provided at the level of UAH 7,591
- Military salaries to be increased by 50% from June 2016
- Proposed increase in bank profit tax to 75%
Large-scale increase in social standards in 2026
Draft law No. 15224-5 provides for a gradual increase in the subsistence minimum to over UAH 10,000. The minimum wage is proposed at UAH 12,160, which is significantly higher than the government's budget figures for 2026. The minimum old-age pension may increase to UAH 7,591, compared to about UAH 2,595 under the current draft budget.
The increase in social payments will create new conditions for millions of Ukrainians, including higher living standards for pensioners and employees. This also means a significant increase in budget expenditures, which will need to be reconciled with other financial priorities of the state.
| Indicator. | Current draft budget 2026 | Draft law proposal |
|---|---|---|
| Subsistence minimum | ~3209 UAH | over UAH 10,000 |
| Minimum wage | 8647 UAH | 12 160 UAH |
| Minimum pension | ~2595 UAH | 7591 UAH |
| Financial support for the military | current level | +50% from June |
Changes in the public sector and new tax initiatives
The draft law proposes to limit the maximum Salaries in the public sector, by linking them to the income level of the military. Servicemen are expected to receive a 50% increase in their basic pay from June 2026.
In addition, the document envisages an increase in the bank profit tax to 75%. It also proposes changes to the mechanisms of public debt management through the circulation of domestic government bonds. These initiatives may affect the financial sector and fiscal policy in general.
Implementing such changes will require a careful balancing act between social needs and economic stability, given the current challenges in defence and the country's budget.
