Ukraine to Enforce New Salary Thresholds for Employee Deferment from March 2026.

Revised Salary and Employee Deferment Regulations

According to Novyny.live: Starting in March 2026, Ukrainian businesses must comply with new regulations concerning average salary levels to maintain a 'critical enterprise' status and secure employee deferments from military mobilization. These changes are mandated by Law 4695-IX, which governs the employee reservation process. This law is a key part of Ukraine's effort to balance national defense needs with economic stability during wartime.

The new rules establish a minimum wage threshold of 8,647 hryvnias. To qualify for employee deferment, a company's average salary must be at least 2.5 times this minimum, equating to a minimum average of 21,617.5 hryvnias.

Application Processing Timeline

From February 1, 2026, the standard processing time for deferment applications will revert to 72 hours. This accelerated timeline is intended to help businesses receive confirmation for their essential staff more swiftly during mobilization. Applications can be submitted in either electronic or paper format.

Deferment guarantees are provided to:

• state bodies;
• enterprises in critically important sectors;
• employees of critical enterprises;
• staff of municipal utility companies.

The updated mobilization deferment rules aim to ensure the stable operation of vital economic sectors and retain the personnel necessary for their function during wartime. These measures are a significant step in supporting Ukraine's economic resilience, as they help preserve key personnel in critical industries. By requiring adequate salary levels, the policy not only facilitates deferment eligibility but also incentivizes businesses to enhance their competitiveness in the labor market. Furthermore, the shortened application review period is expected to improve the operational responsiveness of enterprises facing mobilization-related challenges.