What will change in Ukraine from May 1. Photo: UNIAN
From May 1, changes are going to happen to Ukrainians that will relate to gas tariffs and the assessing of subsidies. The regulations for purchasing vehicles in Lithuania will also change, and Bulgaria and Greece will open their borders.
Also an important change will be the lifting of the strict lockdown in Kyiv. 
has been figuring out what to expect in May.
Annual gas tariff from May 1
The National Energy and Utilities Regulatory Commission (NEURC) has decided to introduce an annual gas tariff for Ukrainians. It will be valid from May 1, 2021 to April 30, 2022.
From now on, Ukrainians will be automatically transferred to the annual rate. However, consumers will be able to switch to the monthly tariff themselves if they are not satisfied with the price offered by the gas supplier. But it will be more difficult to switch to the annual tariff again.
At the same time, citizens can always change their supplier if they are not satisfied with the gas price.
Easing quarantine in Kyiv from May 1
From May 1, Kyiv will be transferred to the "yellow" quarantine zone, and that means that the work of public transport will be resumed in the capital, and educational institutions will proceed with their work on May 5.
During May holidays, restaurants and cafes will also open, fairs and markets will resume their work.
What will work from May 1:
- retail establishments (non-food stores that did not work during the lockdown);
- shopping and entertainment centers;
- markets, fairs;
- restaurants, cafes, bars;
- gyms and fitness centers.
In addition, the Administrative Services Centers will resume their work, but they will receive visitors by appointment through electronic services.
Bulgaria and Greece open borders from May
Bulgaria allowed entry to Ukrainian citizens from May 1. However, it will be possible to enter the country with one of the following documents:
- vaccination certificate;
- certificates of a negative result of a PCR test for coronavirus;
- a document stating that a person had been sick with coronavirus no more than 6 months before the date of entry into the country.
These documents must be submitted in English.
Greece also plans to open its borders for Ukrainians from May 14. For a vacation in Greek resorts, you will have to present a negative coronavirus test result. In particular, Greece is planning to allow an antigen test instead of a PCR test.
At the same time, the test does not need to be done for children under five years old and adults who have been vaccinated against coronavirus and have a certificate.
However, the decision to open borders is not final and may change depending on the epidemic situation.
Cancellation of automatic assignment of subsidies
Automatic reassignment of subsidies is terminated on May 1. From now on, everyone who wants to receive aid in paying for housing and utilities services must submit a package of documents to the structural divisions of the social protection authorities:
- a new application for the assignment and provision of a housing subsidy in money;
- a declaration of income and expenses of persons who applied for the housing subsidy assignment.
At the same time, the Ministry of Social Policy has prepared changes to the application form for the assignment and provision of housing subsidies in money and the form of the income and expenses declaration of persons applying for the housing subsidy assignment.
The declaration is expected to include:
- information on the purchase of non-cash and/or cash foreign currency, bank metals for a total amount exceeding 50,000 within 12 months before applying for a housing subsidy;
- information on the money in deposit accounts in an amount exceeding 25 times the subsistence rate (now it is 56,750 UAH);
- cars produced less than 5 years ago;
- information on expenses in the amount of more than 50,000 UAH.
Purchasing "euroblachas" in Lithuania since May
On May 1, Lithuania changed the rules for vehicles customs clearance. Now the purchase of a new vehicle, re-registration, and registration of a deed of gift agreement will become two separate processes.
Thus, the buyer must first contact Regitra (a Lithuanian state-owned company) and declare the purchase of ownership of a car. And only after the seller confirms the receipt of money, the buyer can apply for registration.
At the same time, deals can only be carried out for vehicles that have SKD (declared owner code).
The algorithm for consummation of a deal is as follows:
- a purchase and sale agreement is concluded;
- the buyer declares purchase. The seller confirms the transfer of money through the bank;
- the buyer receives a new SKD and registers the vehicle in their name in Regitra—they are given documents (technical passport and license plate number) allowing them to participate in traffic.
Mistake in the text? Please select it and press: Ctrl + Enter
