Ukrainian Pension Abroad in 2026: How to Complete Physical Identification via Diia and Not Lose Payments

If you receive a Ukrainian pension or insurance payments and live abroad, in 2026 the mandatory annual physical identification remains in force. This is confirmation that the person is alive and still entitled to receive payments. Without timely completion of the procedure, the Pension Fund of Ukraine (PFU) stops the payments. Below is who must complete it, by what date, and by which methods, including online via Diia.

Who is required to undergo identification

Physical identification is mandatory for recipients of pensions and insurance payments who fall into at least one of the categories:

• stay outside Ukraine for 183 or more days (including the days of departure and entry) during a calendar year;
• have obtained temporary protection or refugee status abroad in connection with the armed aggression of the Russian Federation and have not yet completed documents for permanent residence;
• reside in temporarily occupied territories or have moved from them to territory controlled by Ukraine.

Persons whose pension is paid under international treaties are exempt from this procedure.

For those residing in temporarily occupied territories, an additional rule applies: if a person has not undergone physical identification for six months, they must carry out at least one financial transaction on the account every six months — this also confirms that it is the pensioner who receives the funds.

By what date you must complete it in 2026

Identification must be completed at least once a year — by 31 December. The logic is tied to the following year of payments:

• those who completed identification in 2025 and meet the conditions of the law receive a pension in 2026;
• for payments to continue after 2026, identification must be completed by 31 December 2026.

The PFU may also require re-confirmation of identity earlier — for example, in the event of a change of bank details.

Ways to complete identification

1. Online via Diia.Signature

The most convenient method for those abroad is on the PFU electronic services web portal (portal.pfu.gov.ua) or in the "Pension Fund of Ukraine" mobile app with authorization via Diia.Signature ("Diia ID"). You will need two digital devices: one to work on the PFU portal, the other for the "Diia" app. The procedure: log in → scan the QR code → photo verification → enter the code. After completion, the system shows the status "identification completed".

2. Video conference with a PFU employee

You can complete identification in the form of a video interview with a Pension Fund employee. You can book a session online or by the call center phone numbers: 0 800 503 753, (044) 281-08-70, (044) 281-08-71. Video identification is carried out no earlier than 10 working days and no later than 30 calendar days from the date of submitting the application.

3. At an authorized bank

Identification may also be carried out by authorized banking institutions through which the person receives a pension — provided a passport or other identity document is available.

4. Through a consulate of Ukraine

If electronic identification is impossible, you can apply in person to the embassy or consulate of Ukraine in your country and obtain a document confirming that the person is alive. It is sent to the territorial body of the PFU by post or as a scanned copy via the portal with a qualified electronic signature.

What happens if you do not complete it on time

If identification is not completed by the end of the year, payments are stopped from 1 January of the following year. They can be restored by:

• completing identification within a year after the stoppage — payments are restored, including for the period of stoppage;
• if more than a year has passed — you need to submit an application for restoration of pension payment.

Legal basis

The rules are established by Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Resolution No. 299 of 11 February 2025 "On Certain Specifics of the Payment of Pensions (Monthly Lifelong Cash Maintenance) and Insurance Payments under Insurance against Industrial Accidents and Occupational Diseases that Caused Loss of Working Capacity", as well as Article 47-1 of the Law of Ukraine "On Compulsory State Pension Insurance". The current text of the resolution is on the official legislation portal: zakon.rada.gov.ua.

This material is for informational purposes. Verify the exact list of documents and deadlines in your case on the official PFU portal or at the call center.

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