What will change in Ukraine from July 1, 2025: from tariffs and pensions to new rules in pharmacies and technical inspections

From the beginning of July 2025, a number of new decisions will come into force in Ukraine, which will affect the everyday life of citizens. It is about updating electricity supply standards, a new MOT for cars, changing payment rules, expanding the “Affordable Medicines” program and stages of the introductory campaign. Some changes are experimental in nature, others are systemic in scope. The “FACT” information agency collected all the main changes that will come into effect in Ukraine on July 1, based on reports and forecasts of experts.

Medicines are available in all pharmacies

From July 1, all Ukrainian pharmacies are obliged to join the state program “Affordable Medicines”. As of this date, a resolution obliging pharmacies to conclude a contract with the National Health Service and to sell medicines under this program comes into force. The Cabinet of Ministers approved the relevant decision in December 2024.

Previously, only pharmacies located in hospitals were necessarily included in the program. This will now be the largest expansion of the program since its launch in 2017.

The government’s “Affordable Medicines” reimbursement program allows people with chronic diseases to get the medicines they need free of charge or with a partial co-payment. It was introduced in order to reduce the financial burden on patients and increase the availability of treatment. The program continues to operate even during martial law. About 5 million Ukrainians use it every year.

The Ministry of Health announced that in 2025, more than 30 new active substances will be added to the list in addition to the 75 already included. In particular, combined drugs for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, migraine, endocrinological problems (for example, hypothyroidism), as well as eye drops, ointments and drugs for children.

If the pharmacy refuses to release the medication according to the program, the patient can contact the National Health Service hotline at number 16−77. Residents of villages and front-line areas can take advantage of drug delivery via Ukrposhta or mobile pharmacy points.

Introductory campaign: important dates and conditions

On July 1, the registration of electronic offices of entrants to institutions of higher education begins. Last year’s offices have been canceled, so to participate in the 2025 campaign, you need to create a new one on the EDEBO website.

To register, you must specify:
– e-mail (it will become a login),
– password,
– the series and number of the document on the acquired education,
– data of the NMT certificate or an alternative document.

An email with an activation link will be sent to the specified email address, which must be confirmed within 15 minutes. Otherwise, registration will have to be repeated.

From July 3 — submission of applications for participation in creative contests (if necessary for admission). Until July 10 inclusive — for the budget, until July 25 — for the contract. The tests will be conducted from July 8 to 19 (budget) and until August 1 (contract). Applications for admission can be submitted from July 19 to August 1.

It is important to know that applications for participation in competitions do not replace applications for admission – both types must be submitted.

New payments for low-income families

From July 1, an experimental project will start in Ukraine, which provides additional support for families with low incomes. The basic amount of assistance will be 4,500 hryvnias, but the amount will depend on the structure of the family.

Payments are calculated as follows:

– 100% of the basic amount for the first member (authorized applicant),
– 100% — for each child under the age of 18 and persons with disabilities of groups I–II,
– 70% — for each subsequent family member.

Payments are provided to those who already received state assistance:

– low-income,
– single mothers,
– for children in large families,
– for children who do not receive alimony.

You can submit an application through “Diya” or at the service center of the Pension Fund (regardless of your place of residence). The aid is granted for 6 months with automatic extension until the end of the two-year experiment.

Tariffs in July 2025: what will remain unchanged and why

In July 2025, the government moratorium on raising housing and communal tariffs for the population continues to operate in Ukraine. This moratorium was put in place during martial law to protect households from the additional financial burden of war and economic instability. All base rates remain at the level set in previous months and will not change in July.

Electricity

The preferential fixed tariff for electricity for household consumers has been preserved. The cost of a kilowatt-hour is UAH 4.32. This is the tariff that was introduced in June 2024 instead of the old model of the two-stage system (up to 250 kW – one price, above – another). Currently, the tariff is uniform for all household consumers, regardless of consumption volumes.

This tariff, as noted by the Ministry of Energy and the NCRECP, will be valid until October 31, 2025 inclusive. Further decisions regarding changes in the cost of electricity for the population will be made closer to the end of October, depending on the situation in the energy sector, financing of the Generation Restoration Fund, the state of the energy infrastructure after the Russian attacks, as well as macroeconomic indicators.

It is also emphasized that benefits, subsidies and compensations for vulnerable categories of consumers operate in parallel with this tariff. The government continues to cover part of the electricity costs for low-income families, pensioners and people with disabilities.

Natural gas

The fixed gas tariff for domestic consumers who are clients of the supplier “Naftogaz of Ukraine” remains at the level of UAH 7.96 per 1 m³. This tariff also does not change in July, and is the result of the state program to stabilize the gas market for the population. It does not depend on seasonal fluctuations or the situation on the European markets.

The tariff is valid within the framework of the annual contract “Fixed” and is guaranteed until April 30, 2026, unless there is a separate decision by the Government or the Council. For households with individual heating, the tariff remains constant regardless of consumption.

As with electricity, the system of subsidies for paying for gas supply services has been preserved, and the Ministry of Social Policy emphasizes that recipients do not have to reissue documents in July.

Centralized water supply and drainage

Unlike electricity and gas, tariffs for water and sewerage are regulated at the level of individual enterprises — water utilities — in agreement with local self-government bodies. However, even here in July 2025, there is no provision for a tariff increase.

NKRECP confirmed in June that tariffs for centralized water supply and drainage remain valid, given the extension of the moratorium. Thus, in all regions of Ukraine, tariffs will remain at the level that was approved back in 2023 or 2024, depending on the region.

Is there a planned increase after October?

Despite the fact that there will be no increase in tariffs in July, the government and NCRECP do not exclude the possibility of their adjustment in the future. The main factors that can affect the change in tariffs are:

– the scale of destruction of the energy infrastructure due to shelling,
– the need to finance repairs,
– price fluctuations on world energy markets,
– changes in the volumes of electricity and gas imports.

However, any decisions in this area must be balanced: the authorities declare that they will not allow a sharp increase in prices for the population without a system of compensations and subsidies.

New voltage standard in electrical networks

Starting from July 1, 2025, a new voltage standard in power grids will officially enter into force in Ukraine: the nominal voltage will be 230 volts instead of the current 220 volts. This decision means the transition to European power supply quality parameters and actually harmonizes Ukrainian technical requirements with European Union directives.

The new 230/400 V voltage standard is a system that has long been in place in most European countries. In it, 230 V is the voltage in a single-phase network (that is, between phase and neutral), and 400 V is in a three-phase network (between phases). Modern electrical engineering is designed for these indicators: both domestic and industrial.

Explaining the change, experts of the NCRECP emphasize that the implementation of the standard does not mean a physical voltage drop in the sockets — in many regions of Ukraine, the actual voltage has been 225–235 V for a long time. But until now, the range of normal values ​​was determined around 220 V. Now the new benchmark is 230 V, which will allow you to clearly determine when the voltage is unstable or dangerously low/high.

According to the new norms, the permissible deviation from the nominal value (230 V) will be ±10%, that is, from 207 to 253 volts. This is an important point for both consumers and energy suppliers: outside this range, companies are obliged to take measures to stabilize parameters, and consumers will have a legal basis for complaints and claims in case of damage to electrical appliances.

The National Commission for State Regulation in the Fields of Energy and Utilities (NKREKP) believes that changing the standard is a step that has real consequences for the quality of power supply and the durability of equipment.

First, a more stable voltage allows you to avoid overloads and accidents that occur due to frequent fluctuations in the network. Household appliances, especially electronics and devices with electronic control (gas boilers, induction stoves, pumps, refrigerators), are very sensitive to voltage drops. Under the old standard, in many areas of Ukraine, the voltage could drop to 180–190 V, which led to failures and breakdowns.

Secondly, the new system will help reduce the need to use voltage stabilizers, control relays and uninterruptible power supplies. After all, in the range from 207 to 253 V, most modern equipment works in normal mode. This will save money on additional protection and reduce the risk of short circuits or damage to the power cells.

Thirdly, according to representatives of NCRECP, the transition to 230 V will increase energy efficiency. All electrical devices operating in the optimal range consume less electricity per unit of work, and therefore, the load on the network and the stations themselves is reduced. This, in turn, reduces power losses and reduces costs throughout the entire power system.

At the same time, the cost of electricity for Ukrainians will not change in July: the current tariff of 4.32 hryvnias per kilowatt-hour will remain at least until October 31, 2025.

Pension benefits: what allowances are possible and to whom

In July 2025, large-scale transfers or a general increase in pensions for all categories of pensioners are not expected. The government has not announced new indexation or changes in basic pension payments. At the same time, some pensioners will receive an increase, but it applies only to a specific category – persons who have reached the appropriate age, which gives the right to an age supplement.

The allowance provided for in July is calculated automatically as soon as the pensioner reaches the established age limit. It is about the so-called age supplement, which is established by Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine No. 127 of 24.02.2021 (as amended) and operates on the basis of instructions from the Ministry of Social Policy.

The supplement is provided only to those pensioners whose basic pension amount does not exceed 10,340 hryvnias. That is, those persons who have a higher pension are not subject to these age supplements, regardless of age.

In addition, depending on age, pensioners can count on the following amounts of monthly allowance:

– 300 hryvnias will be given to those aged 70 to 74 inclusive;

– 456 hryvnias are charged to pensioners aged 75 to 79 inclusive;

– 570 hryvnias are received by those who have reached the age of 80 and over.

These amounts of surcharges remain unchanged from the moment of their approval, and there is no provision for recalculation for July. If the pensioner moves to a higher age category – for example, he turns 75 – the allowance increases according to the new threshold. Such an increase occurs automatically and does not require an application to the Pension Fund.

What about other types of promotion

As of June 30, 2025, no additional increase in pensions in July — neither general nor targeted — is planned. This means that:

– indexation, which is traditionally carried out in the spring (in March or April), has already taken place, and July is not the month of a new calculation;

– pension increases in connection with the increase in the living wage or the minimum wage in July are not foreseen, because there are no changes in these basic indicators for mid-summer;

– recalculation based on length of service or earnings, which may be relevant for working pensioners, is carried out individually at certain times, but is also not a mass phenomenon in July.

Thus, the only category of pensioners who can count on an increase in pension payments in July 2025 are persons who have reached the age of 70, 75 or 80 this month and have a basic pension that does not exceed UAH 10,340.

There are no indexations, changes in the minimum pension or other social supplements in July. All the changes planned by the government in pension provision for the second half of the year, if there are any, will most likely be tied to October or December, when a revision of the budget and indicators of social standards is possible.