Foreign work experience for pensions in Ukraine: new procedure-2025
26 May 16:07
ANALYSIS
Until recently, Ukrainians who worked abroad did not count this period as part of their work experience. But now everything is changing. Citizens who do not have enough work experience to retire on old age because they worked in another country can now have it counted. "Komersant Ukrainian" found out the details.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved a new procedure by Resolution No. 562 of May 16 that defines the mechanism for confirming and including periods of work in another country (if any) in the insurance period for eligibility for an old-age pension.
According to the Ministry of National Unity, under the new procedure, work experience gained abroad is included in the pension insurance period on the basis of official documents from the country of residence. These include extracts, certificates and other documents confirming that the period of work was included in the pension system of another country. In case of absence of such documents or insufficient information, the Pension Fund of Ukraine will contact the competent authorities of the foreign country through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The state recognizes the contribution of labor migrants
“In this way, Ukraine recognizes the contribution of its citizens who have worked abroad, kept in touch with their homeland and are planning or have already returned home,”
– said Oleksiy Chernyshov, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of National Unity of Ukraine.
Prior to that, the length of service abroad was counted only in cases where an international agreement was signed between Ukraine and another state. This significantly limited the number of citizens who could apply for a pension in Ukraine upon their return.
The lawyers of the Confederation of Free Trade Unions of Ukraine draw attention to the key points: if a person does not have enough insurance period, those periods that are officially recognized under the laws of another country are taken into account. If there is an international agreement between the states, this period can be counted for people who are permanent residents of Ukraine.
“Citizens who have worked abroad and do not have sufficient insurance record to receive a pension must attach supporting documents to their application. In case of their absence or insufficient information, the Pension Fund should contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which will send a request to the relevant country through diplomatic channels,”
– said MP Mykhailo Volynets.
After all the data is received, the length of service will be taken into account on a calendar basis – by years of work. This can significantly affect the right to a pension.
Читайте нас у Telegram: головні новини коротко
Length of service in the former Soviet republics: a separate procedure
The government has also approved a separate procedure for those who worked in the USSR republics before January 1, 1992. If the states where a person worked do not pay pensions – and this is confirmed – these periods can be counted as length of service. In particular, this applies to those who worked in the Russian Federation and Belarus. Previously, in order to receive a pension in Ukraine, one had to provide a certificate stating that one was not receiving a pension in these countries. Due to the war, such confirmation became impossible. Now a written assurance from a person is enough. The Cabinet of Ministers has already instructed the Pension Fund to review decisions made since 2024 regarding such persons.
Pension amount depends on contributions in Ukraine
Lawyers emphasize that the amount of the pension will depend on the insurance contributions paid in Ukraine, not on contributions abroad. The longer a person pays unified social security contributions in Ukraine and the higher these contributions are, the higher the pension. The retirement age depends on the length of the insurance period.
Even if there is no agreement with the state, but it is confirmed that the length of service was credited in that country, it will be credited in Ukraine. Thanks to Law No. 3674, a proportional system for calculating length of service has been introduced, with uniform rules for all countries.
“For example, a person returning from Spain will be able to count the period of work in that country to determine the right to a pension in Ukraine at the age of 60, 63 or 65. But they will need to provide the Pension Fund with a supporting document. Only those who worked officially can do this. However, it is important to understand that only contributions paid in Ukraine are taken into account for the amount of the pension,”
– explains lawyer Olena Monina.
At the same time, work for the aggressor state after 2014 will not be included in the insurance period.
Pensions for Ukrainians abroad
Many Ukrainians are also interested in the question: in which countries is Ukrainian pensionable service counted for pension purposes? Ukraine has direct agreements with 15 countries (the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, the Baltic States, etc.). If a Ukrainian officially worked in these countries and paid taxes, he or she can apply for a pension.
Some countries (Hungary, Romania, Mongolia, Moldova, Azerbaijan) have territorial agreements with Ukraine: the pension is granted by the state where the person lives. For example, if a Ukrainian moves to Moldova for permanent residence, his or her pension is granted by Moldova, taking into account his or her Ukrainian work record. And vice versa.
In countries with which the proportional principle applies, pensions are granted by each state separately, according to the length of service gained on its territory. These include the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Portugal, Bulgaria, Estonia, Spain, Latvia, and Lithuania.
Читайте нас у Telegram: головні новини коротко
Author: Alla Dunina
