Transfer limits to cards, new benefits, and tariffs: What has changed since February 1st?

February 2025 begins with a series of important changes that will affect many Ukrainians. New electricity tariffs, restrictions on bank transfers, increased mobile operator fees, and new rules for payments to the relatives of the missing — all of this will take effect in the last month of winter.

Therefore, it is essential to be attentive to your expenses and financial operations in these new realities. "Telegraf" has compiled all the main changes:

Changes in Electricity Payment for Preferential Tariff

Starting from February 1, 2025, the tariff for electricity will change for consumers who have no gas supply (instead, electric heating systems are used) or lack/are not functioning centralized heating systems.

Consumers who exceed the norm of 2000 kWh will receive a subsidy: a fixed tariff of 2.64 UAH for the first 2000 kWh, while starting from 2001 kWh, the regular tariff of 4.32 UAH/kWh will apply. This subsidy will be temporary.

Limits on Card Transfers

From February 1, Ukrainian banks will introduce new restrictions on card transfers for individuals and private entrepreneurs without documented income. This provision is stipulated in a memorandum signed by Ukrainian banks in December last year. A total of 44 banks and 2 payment systems (Sberbank, PrivatBank, Raiffeisen Bank, PUMB, Universal Bank, Sens Bank, payment systems NovaPay, RozetkaPay, and others) joined the memorandum.

The restrictions will pertain to outgoing payments based on IBAN details. Banks will classify such clients into three risk groups: "high," "medium," and "low." Separate restrictions will apply to each group.

For clients with a "high" risk level, the limit will be set at 50,000 UAH per month.

For the "medium" and "low" risk groups, restrictions will be implemented in two phases:

• from February 1, 2025 — up to 150,000 UAH;
• from June 1, 2025 — up to 100,000 UAH.

The restrictions will not apply to individuals with confirmed income (salary clients and others), as well as to volunteers whose activities are documented (according to NBU Resolution No. 18 dated February 24, 2022, "On the Operation of the Banking System During Martial Law").

Additionally, the restrictions will not apply to fund transfers between two accounts opened by the client in the same bank.

Publication of the List of "Luxury Cars" Subject to Tax

After February 1, 2025, the Ministry of Economy will publish a list of car models that fall under the new tax. This tax applies to car owners with vehicles less than 5 years old, whose cost exceeds three million UAH.

It is expected that the treasury will receive 25,000 UAH per year for each such vehicle. If a car reaches five years of age during the reporting year, the tax is payable for the period from January 1 of that year until the beginning of the month following the month in which the vehicle reaches (will reach) five years.

Last Month to Confirm Critical Infrastructure Status

Critical infrastructure enterprises must confirm their status by February 28, 2025, as required by the new regulations that came into effect on December 1, 2024.

Thus, all companies, regardless of the date of their last status confirmation, must comply with the new requirements. The main criteria include:

• absence of tax debts,
• average salary of at least 20,000 UAH,
• and one of the industry or regional criteria.

First, the company confirms its critical status, and then must re-submit lists of employees for reservation through "Diia." Until the updated lists are submitted, all reservations remain in effect. If the enterprise does not confirm its status, reserved employees will lose their reservation starting March 1.

What Awaits Those with Limited Fitness in February

Military personnel and soldiers who had the status of "limited fitness" until May 4, 2024, must undergo a repeat medical examination by February 5, 2025. However, nearly a million have not yet undergone this examination.

Therefore, a bill has been registered in the Verkhovna Rada stating that those who do not manage to undergo the medical examination will not face administrative penalties. Officials previously stated that failing to comply with the law could result in fines ranging from 17,000 to 25,500 UAH.

In Parliament, there are proposals to extend the deadline for undergoing the medical examination until June 5 of this year.

It should be noted that this is only possible if the Rada manages to vote on it promptly.

At the same time, Deputy Head of the President's Office of Ukraine Iryna Vereshchuk assured that there is an agreement with the Territorial Recruitment Centers not to impose fines on those who fail to undergo the medical examination by February 5. The official clarified that the corresponding directive will be "sent accordingly."

Last Month to Apply for 1000 UAH from Zelensky

February is the last month to apply for the 1000 UAH under the "Winter Support" program. Applications will be accepted until the 28th of the month through the "Diia" app, Ukrposhta branches, or banks.

The received funds can be used for medical services, utility payments, communication, and donations to the Armed Forces until the end of 2025.

Every Ukrainian regardless of age residing in Ukraine (except for temporarily occupied territories) is entitled to a one-time payment.

Changes in Payments to Relatives of Prisoners and the Missing

Starting February 1, changes to the law "On Social and Legal Protection of Military Personnel and Their Families" will come into effect in Ukraine, concerning the payment procedures to the relatives of prisoners and missing military personnel.

Previously, the full amount was to be received by the wife (spouse) of the military. Now, more relatives of the military will be able to receive a share of the payments. Thus, 50% of the payments should be distributed equally among the first-degree relatives — the spouse, legal representatives of minor children (except those receiving alimony from the military), children of individuals with disabilities from childhood (regardless of age) or their legal representatives, and the parents of the military (excluding parents deprived of parental rights).

If there are no first-degree relatives, then 20% of the payments go to second-degree relatives, namely adult children, brothers, or sisters. The unpaid portion of the funds (50% or 80%) will be kept in the military unit and paid to the soldier in case of his return from captivity or appearance if he is recognized as missing.

The payments for a soldier who is captured or considered missing amount to about 120,000 UAH per month.

A military personnel can independently determine who and what amount should be received in case he is captured or recognized as missing. To do this, a personal order must be drawn up.

In Lifecell, Tariffs for Regular Customers Will Increase

Ukrainian mobile operators began raising tariffs in December 2024: "Kyivstar" was the first, followed by "Vodafone Ukraine." In February, it is Lifecell's turn to increase tariffs for its subscribers.

The reasons for the increase in tariffs for all mobile operators include frequency purchases, tax increases, the obligation to ensure 10 hours of operation without electricity, adjustments for exchange rates and inflation, and the restoration of infrastructure destroyed due to the war.

The changes in Lifecell's tariff policy will occur throughout February-March 2025. The company is reducing the number of tariffs, increasing their cost, and discontinuing some plans. On average, the cost of tariffs will increase by 34%.

Price adjustments will not affect new MNP subscribers (Mobile Number Portability or switching to another operator with their number) who transferred their number to Lifecell and took advantage of the "stop price" promotion.

Tickets from Kyiv to Warsaw and Kyiv to Bucharest Will Become More Expensive

Starting February 1, train tickets to Poland and Hungary will increase in price due to reduced discounts. The cost of travel on the most popular international trains will rise. In the direction of Poland, the ticket prices will increase:

• in first-class Intercity+ and SV cars — by