Ukraine's 2026 Forest Rules: What You Can Forage Freely and Why You Need a Permit for Firewood.

Ukraine's New Regulations for Forest Resource Use

According to Novyny.live: New rules governing the use of forest resources will take effect in Ukraine in 2026. Under the revised legislation, citizens will be permitted to collect only minor natural remnants from forests without prior authorization. These changes aim to balance public access with the urgent need for conservation and sustainable management. The allowable items for free collection include:

• Pine needles
• Small twigs
• Fallen leaves
• Bark that has naturally detached from trees
• Small debris left after storms or official forestry operations

However, the felling of trees without a permit remains strictly prohibited.

Legal Firewood Harvesting

For the legal harvesting of firewood, a special logging ticket is required, which is issued only to registered businesses and organizations. This means ordinary citizens cannot independently gather firewood from forests without the appropriate permit. It is important to note that trees felled by storms typically belong to the state or local community, so their use is also regulated by law.

"Under our legislation, the use of 'deadwood' or fallen trees without a permit is prohibited," emphasized Mykola Kovalenko, highlighting the importance of adhering to the new rules.

Furthermore, the new regulations include requirements concerning:

• Forest restoration
• Work completion deadlines
• Timber transportation rules

Compliance with these norms by all parties is crucial, as it will promote ecological stability and preserve natural resources for future generations. The precise number of trees authorized for cutting will be determined by the relevant authorities, which is also part of the new regulatory framework.

Thus, the 2026 reforms in Ukraine place a strong emphasis on forest protection and the rational use of their resources, a responsibility that will fall not only on enterprises but also on citizens themselves. These legislative changes, which restrict the unauthorized harvesting of firewood and other forest materials, are designed to reduce the scale of illegal logging and ensure the sustainable development of the forestry sector. The successful implementation of these rules will depend on effective oversight by state authorities, requiring active participation from both businesses and the public in preserving the natural environment.