By September 1, 2026, all enterprises with “critically important” status must undergo a re-verification. Those that do not meet the updated criteria may lose the right to reserve employees. This is stated in a relevant government resolution.
Source: OBOZREVATEL
In recent years, the status of a critically important enterprise has become one of the key tools for preserving the workforce potential of businesses. At the same time, the government has decided to revise the approach to granting it to make the system more transparent and to ensure benefits only for companies that truly perform essential functions for the state.
As part of the changes, a fixed expiration date has been set for all current decisions granting critically important status. Even if a company received it earlier, it will remain valid only until the end of the set period, but no later than September 1, 2026.
After that date, enterprises that fail to undergo re-certification or do not meet the new requirements may lose their status and, consequently, the ability to reserve employees.
The government has approved a verification schedule: by June 10, 2026, central executive authorities and regional military administrations must update the criteria for determining critically important enterprises; by July 1, 2026, relevant ministries must review all current statuses; and by September 1, 2026, the re-certification process must be completed nationwide.
Thus, businesses will have about three months to prepare for the new requirements. The biggest risks apply to companies that obtained their status based on criteria that may be changed or abolished.
If the basis for granting the status is removed from the updated criteria list, it may be canceled. In that case, the company will lose the right to reserve employees, and already issued reservations may also be revoked. The enterprise will then need to go through the status application process again.
Special attention will be paid to companies not related to the defense sector, critical infrastructure, or the provision of basic public needs.
The government has also revised financial criteria. For most enterprises, the minimum salary for employees eligible for reservation is increased to three minimum wages — 25,941 UAH. For companies in combat zones or temporarily occupied territories, a reduced threshold will apply — 21,618 UAH (2.5 minimum wages).
Additionally, control over the number of reserved employees is being tightened. If a company exceeds the limit, it must submit a request via Diia to cancel excess reservations within 10 working days. Failure to comply may result in the loss of critically important enterprise status.
The Ministry of Digital Transformation is involved in overseeing the process. All government bodies and military administrations must submit data to the ministry no later than 10 days after decisions are made.
It is expected that digitalization of the process will allow faster monitoring of enterprise status, the number of reserved employees, and reduce the risk of abuse, ensuring uniform rules for businesses.
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