The Government adopted a decision to make the military exemption system more transparent and fairer, while preserving the balance between defence and the economy.
Updated Conditions for Businesses and Employees
On 30 May 2026, the Cabinet of Ministers approved changes to the exemption of employees liable to military service. These apply to enterprises, institutions and organisations recognised as critical to the operation of the economy and the state during martial law.
The Government also issued clarifications on the transition period, confirmation of critical status, and the timeframe for reviewing applications.
Balancing Defence and the Economy
The changes do not abolish military exemption for businesses. Their purpose is to ensure that deferments are granted only to those enterprises and employees that are genuinely critical to the operation of the state, communities, defence, and economy in wartime.
Three Key Blocks of Change
1. Salary Criterion
To confirm an enterprise’s critical status and exempt an employee, a minimum salary threshold has been set — three times the minimum wage (UAH 25,941). For enterprises operating close to frontline areas, a separate norm applies — 2.5 times the minimum wage (UAH 21,618).
2. Employees with Multiple Jobs
If a conscripted employee works at several enterprises or already has a deferment on other grounds, they are counted in the exemption quota only once.
3. Review of Criticality Criteria
Ministries, central executive bodies and regional military administrations must update their criteria for criticality in coordination with the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Economy. Enterprises already designated as critical must confirm compliance with the new requirements.
Transition Period
The current critical status of enterprises is not automatically revoked. The exemption of employees at enterprises with confirmed status remains valid until 1 September 2026.
For the full source and detailed clarifications, see the official Government material at this link.