Pensioners abroad reminded of mandatory identification by year-end
The Pension Fund of Ukraine has started sending notifications to recipients of pensions and insurance payments who are temporarily abroad and must undergo annual physical identification.
The PFU sends corresponding messages to recipients' personal accounts on the electronic services web portal. The Fund reminded that identification must be completed by December 31, 2026.
The requirement applies to recipients of pensions and insurance payments who temporarily reside outside Ukraine or are in temporarily occupied territories. Pensioners abroad must complete the procedure by the end of this year to ensure pension payments continue in 2027.
Those who have already undergone physical identification in 2026 and whose identity was successfully verified do not need to repeat the procedure by December 31.
The Pension Fund provides several identification methods. It can be done remotely via the personal account on the PFU web portal using “Diia.Pidpys”, through video conference with a fund employee, or in person at a Pension Fund service center.
Ukrainians abroad can also contact a foreign diplomatic mission of Ukraine and obtain a document confirming the person is alive. It can be sent to the Pension Fund by mail together with an application or submitted electronically via the PFU web portal.
A video identification request can also be submitted through the Pension Fund portal. During the video call, a PFU employee verifies documents and data necessary to confirm the payment recipient's identity.
The obligation for pensioners temporarily outside Ukraine to undergo annual identification is provided by law. Pensions for such citizens are paid to accounts in Ukrainian banks subject to physical identification by December 31 of each calendar year.
Thus, completing the procedure in 2025 ensured payments in 2026 but does not replace identification for the current year. To continue receiving pension in 2027, one must confirm identity by the end of 2026.
Based on materials: Pension Fund of Ukraine, PFU — identification of pension and insurance payment recipients
