Government Approves Procedure for Counting Foreign Work Experience Towards Pension Eligibility

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved a new procedure that allows periods of official employment abroad to be included in the calculation of eligibility for an old-age pension. This now applies even to work periods in countries with which Ukraine does not have relevant international agreements. The resolution was adopted at a Cabinet meeting on May 16, 2025.

According to the new procedure, work experience gained abroad can be counted toward pension eligibility based on official documents from the host country. These may include extracts, certificates, and other documents confirming that the employment period was recorded in that country’s pension system. If such documents are missing or contain insufficient information, the Pension Fund of Ukraine will seek verification from the competent authorities of the foreign country through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“This decision is key to determining eligibility for an old-age pension. It allows us to account for the full period of employment of Ukrainians who officially worked abroad,” said Oleksii Chernyshov, Vice Prime Minister and Minister for National Unity of Ukraine.

“This is how Ukraine recognizes the contribution of its citizens who worked abroad, maintained ties with their homeland, and plan to return or have already returned.”

Previously, periods of official foreign employment were only counted if Ukraine had signed an international agreement with the other country regulating how insurance experience was to be credited. This significantly limited the number of citizens who could qualify for a pension upon returning to Ukraine.

“We strive to ensure fairness in the pension system,” said Oksana Zholnovych, Minister of Social Policy of Ukraine.

“We want people who work to have the right to a pension. That’s why we are changing the legislation to meet today’s challenges and people’s needs. We’re resolving issues of foreign-earned work experience and implementing changes to make the pension system fairer and pensions more decent.”