Mobilization, tariffs, changes for drivers. What will change for Ukrainians from May 1.

The first day of May 2025 will bring significant changes to Ukraine that will affect various aspects of citizens' lives. From utility tariffs and pension payments to traffic rules and labor relations - May will become a month of innovations that require attention from every Ukrainian. The main changes in Ukraine from May 1 are explained by 'Glavkom'.Utility tariffsOne of the most sensitive topics is changing in the field of housing and communal services. The electricity tariff for the population will remain at the level of 4.32 UAH per kilowatt-hour. However, from May 1, 2025, the preferential tariff for consumers using electric heating will be canceled. Until April 30 of this year, this category of consumers had a tariff of 2.64 UAH per kWh for consumption up to 2000 kWh per month.The gas tariff for the population will remain unchanged and will be 7.96 UAH per cubic meter. The price will stay the same until April 30, 2026.SubsidiesFrom May 1, a new period for assigning subsidies will begin, lasting until September 30, 2025. Citizens who have already received subsidies will receive an automatic recalculation of the subsidy amount if there are no changes in their property status or family composition, as well as if there are no arrears for utility services.A new application for payments needs to be submitted in cases where there are internally displaced persons in the family, landlords pay for utility services, the number of actual residents is less than the registered, or the previous heating subsidy was 0 UAH.Applications submitted in May or June 2025 still allow receiving subsidies from May 1, 2025.PensionsFrom May 1, no increase in pension payments is expected. However, pensioners who reach the age of 70, 75, or 80 will have the right to receive age supplements to their pensions if their current pension does not exceed 10,340.35 UAH.The sizes of age supplements are 300 UAH for persons aged 70, 456 UAH for those who turned 75, and 570 UAH for persons aged 80.Alcohol will be added to gasolineFrom May 1, 2025, all Ukrainian gas stations must add at least 5% bioethanol to gasoline. Bioethanol is an alcohol made from grain and is intended to reduce harmful emissions when using cars. It is believed that with 10% bioethanol in gasoline, aerosol particle emissions are reduced by 50%, and CO2 by 30%, contributing to reduced air pollution.Such an additive is used in Europe, and since Ukraine actively imports fuel from the EU, many Ukrainian drivers are already using gasoline with bioethanol.The addition of bioethanol will not apply to gasoline with an octane number of 98 and higher, as well as to gasoline supplied to the Ministry of Defense, State Reserves, and creating minimum stocks of oil and oil products.Green color on traffic lightsFrom May 1, a new DSTU standard will come into effect, which provides that the color of the traffic light instead of green will be emerald. This decision is aimed at improving the visibility of the signal and increasing road safety. Instead of solid arrows, chevron arrows (green on a black background) will appear, which will be more noticeable. Timers with countdowns will also be installed, as well as buttons for calling the traffic light signal and devices for audible notification for convenient movement of people with disabilities.For individual entrepreneursEntrepreneurs belonging to the third group of the simplified taxation system will be required to use a new reporting form starting from May 2025. In May, the deadline for the first military tax payment for this category of entrepreneurs will also appear.The main session of the NMT beginsOn May 14, the main session of the National Multi-Subject Test (NMT) will begin, lasting until June 25. Graduates who were unable to participate in the main session under certain circumstances will be able to take the test during the additional session from July 14 to 25. This year's innovations include testing in four subjects: Ukrainian language, mathematics, history of Ukraine, and one additional subject of choice.Scholarship for military academy cadetsThe seniority of scholarships for cadets of military educational institutions will increase to about 8 thousand UAH starting May 1. Graduates with excellent results and undergoing internships will be able to receive up to 20,100 UAH. Previously, before May, cadets received financial support ranging from 2,880 UAH to 3,145 UAH.New deferments in 'Reserve+'On May 8, two new types of deferments from mobilization will appear in the application for conscripts 'Reserve+': for individuals with temporary unsuitability for service for a period of 6 to 12 months, and for citizens whose husband or wife is in service and has a child under 18 years old. It is also planned to introduce the possibility of paying fines for violations of military registration rules with a 50% discount through the 'Reserve+' app in the summer.VLC for those with limited fitnessConscripts with the designation 'limited fit' in the military registration document must undergo repeated military medical commissions according to the new legislative requirements. The official deadline for passing the VLC ends on June 5, 2025. A referral for VLC can be obtained through the 'Reserve+' app or personally at the TCС.ConscriptionAccording to the latest changes to legislation, as of August 1, men aged 18 to 60 with military experience are subject to conscription.