Key Points

  • Minimum wage levels have increased in 2021 to UAH 60,000 per month
  • New salary levels affect new, pending and existing applications
  • Some categories are exempt from the wage changes
  • Workers earning UAH 600,000 per month and exempt categories are eligible for a three-year work permit
  • Allowances and benefits may not be included in minimum salary calculations
  • Employers must compensate employees in UAH regardless of payroll location and exchange rate

Overview

The Ukrainian government has posted new minimum wage levels for 2021. The minimum salary level nationwide is now UAH 60,000 per month.

What are the Changes?

The 2021 minimum wage is a 27% increase from minimum wage rates in 2020.

Who is Affected?

New salary levels apply to new, pending, and current applications.

Certain categories are exempt from the new minimum wage threshold, including graduates of “top 100” universities, as classified through international rankings; employees in creative occupations; IT professionals employed through software companies; shareholders; founders, and/or the ultimate beneficiary owner of a company.

What Should Employers and Applicants Know?

Workers who earn a minimum gross monthly salary of UAH 300,000 and workers in exempt categories are eligible for a three-year work permit instead of a one-year work permit.

Allowances and benefits may not be included in minimum salary calculations.

Employers must pay their foreign employees in UAH, regardless of their payroll location and exchange rate fluctuations.

Originally Published by Envoy, March 2021

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.