5 important changes in Ukraine from February 1: banking limits and tariffs
Kyiv • UNN
From February 1, 2025, new banking limits on transfers will be introduced in Ukraine, and electricity tariffs will change. Also, changes will occur in payments to military personnel, and international train tickets will become more expensive.
From February 1, 2025, a number of important changes will come into force in Ukraine, which will affect financial transactions, social payments, electricity tariffs, and the cost of international travel, UNN has gathered the details.
Bank limits
From February 1, Ukrainian banks will introduce restrictions on money transfers between individuals – the limit will be UAH 150,000 per month for payments using IBAN details.
These changes will only apply to clients who do not have documented income. Banks will classify such individuals by risk level: "high", "medium", and "low".
For clients with a high risk level, the limit will be set at UAH 50,000 per month.
For clients with medium and low risk, restrictions will apply in two stages:
• from February 1, 2025 – UAH 150,000;
• from June 1, 2025 – UAH 100,000.
The National Bank explains that such measures are aimed at combating the shadow economy and illegal schemes, in particular the use of "drops" – individuals who transfer their bank cards for dubious financial operations.
To avoid restrictions, clients will be able to provide documents confirming their income. This will allow banks to review or lift the limits, taking into account the client's financial capabilities and control over the movement of funds in their accounts.
Amendments to the law on social and legal protection of military personnel
From February 1, amendments to the Law of Ukraine "On Social and Legal Protection of Military Personnel and Their Family Members" come into force. The innovations change the procedure for payments to families of military personnel who are in captivity or are considered missing.
From now on, 50% of the monetary allowance will be distributed among the closest relatives: wife or husband, parents, minor children, or children with disabilities. If there are no such relatives, then 20% of the total amount can be received by other family members – adult children, brothers, or sisters.
Unused funds will remain in the military unit and will be paid to the military personnel after their return from captivity or if their whereabouts are established.
In addition, military personnel can draw up a personal order in advance, specifying to whom and in what shares their payments should be made in case of capture or disappearance.
Payments in case of death of a serviceman
If a serviceman dies and does not leave a personal order, his monetary allowance after official recognition of death will be included in the inheritance.
The law does not apply to persons who voluntarily surrendered, arbitrarily left a military unit, or committed desertion.
The government noted that these changes are aimed at ensuring a fair distribution of monetary payments among the relatives of military personnel and their use in accordance with the wishes of the defender himself.
New electricity tariffs
From February 1, the rules for applying the preferential electricity tariff for heating will change in Ukraine. From now on, the reduced price will only apply within a certain consumption volume – up to 2000 kWh per month.
Until April 30, 2025, Ukrainians who use electricity for heating will pay UAH 2.64 per 1 kWh if their consumption does not exceed 2000 kWh per month. If more is used, each additional kilowatt will cost UAH 4.32.
Utility tariffs will rise in Ukraine: when to expect it31.01.25, 11:33 • 51559 views
Previously, a different principle applied: if a consumer exceeded the limit, the higher tariff was applied to the entire volume of consumption. For example, when using 2300 kWh per month, one had to pay UAH 4.32 for all 2300 kWh. Now, for the first 2000 kWh, a preferential tariff (UAH 2.64/kWh) will be charged, and only for the excess (in this case, 300 kWh) – at an increased rate (UAH 4.32/kWh).
Also, until April 30, 2025, gas prices remain unchanged. Ukrainians served by "Naftogaz" (which is 98% of consumers) will continue to pay UAH 7.96 per cubic meter of gas.
International train prices
"Ukrzaliznytsia" is reducing discounts on international trains, which will make tickets to Poland and Hungary more expensive. At the same time, the cost of train tickets to Austria and Moldova will remain unchanged.
Prices are being reviewed due to rising energy and material costs.
How much more expensive will tickets be
• The price for the Kyiv – Warsaw train will increase by 37%.
• For the Kyiv – Budapest route:
• SV-carriages will become 17% more expensive,
• compartment – by 21%.
• 1st class Intercity+ and SV carriages will become 20-27% more expensive.
• Compartment seats will become 9-27% more expensive.
How to buy cheaper
Tickets at old prices can still be purchased until January 31, 2025, on the official website of "Ukrzaliznytsia" or through the mobile application.