Verkhovna Rada approves transition to targeted benefits and electronic tickets for travel

Parliament supports changes to social protection system

On 10 November 2026, the Verkhovna Rada voted to adopt law No. 5651-2, which changes the approach to providing travel benefits on public transport. The document was supported by 235 people's deputies.

Transition to targeted format and digitalisation

The key idea of the new legislation is to move away from the traditional model of free travel in favour of targeted cash compensation. At the same time, a unified automated system for accounting travel payments is being introduced. The electronic ticket will become the main tool for confirming the right to benefits.

Who will receive new guarantees

The explanatory note to the bill states that it regulates the provision of travel payment benefits and other social advantages for a wide range of citizens. Among the priority categories mentioned are:

• combatants and military personnel;
• persons with disabilities resulting from war;
• members of families of the deceased;
• veterans of labour and military service;
• persons affected by the Chernobyl disaster;
• victims of Nazi persecution and rehabilitated victims of political repression;
• elderly persons and children.

Procedure for issuing tickets and adaptation deadlines

The law details the mechanism for issuing free electronic tickets to the aforementioned categories in accordance with current legislation on the status of veterans, social protection of those affected by the ChNPP accident, and other regulatory acts. The document also provides for regulating the procedure and amounts for providing certain types of benefits.

The Cabinet of Ministers is obliged to bring its regulatory legal acts and acts of central executive bodies into compliance with the new requirements within six months of the official publication of the law.