“eRecovery”: everything about the advantages and disadvantages of housing certificates

“eRecovery” is currently the only active Ukrainian program that allows individuals whose homes were destroyed or damaged as a result of the military aggression of the Russian Federation to receive assistance from the state.

The “eRecovery” program has been in effect since 2023, and during this time more than 70,000 families have received compensation for damaged housing. Over 5,000 Ukrainians have been provided with “eRecovery” housing certificates under the program to purchase new homes to replace those that were destroyed. You can learn more about obtaining compensation for destroyed housing and possible next steps during a consultation with a lawyer.

What is the “eRecovery” program and how does it work in 2026?

The state program “eRecovery” is aimed at supporting citizens whose housing has been affected by hostilities. In 2026, as in previous years, several options are available within the program. If a person’s home has been damaged but can be restored, “eRecovery” provides funds for repairs. If the property has been completely destroyed and cannot be restored, a person can apply for a housing certificate, which can be used to purchase a new home.

Who is eligible for an “eRecovery” housing certificate?

Citizens whose homes have been affected by hostilities—such as direct hits, shelling, fires, or explosions—are eligible for an “eRecovery” housing certificate. However, to apply, the damaged property must meet several conditions:

• the property must have been destroyed after February 24, 2022;
• it must be located in territory controlled by Ukraine (not under occupation);
• the destroyed housing must be beyond repair;
• there must be a corresponding record of ownership in the State Register of Property Rights to Real Estate.

A conclusion that the property is unfit for habitation is issued by a commission based on the results of an inspection.

In what cases can a housing certificate be denied?

Certain categories of citizens may be denied an “eRecovery” housing certificate. In particular, this applies to individuals under sanctions, as well as those convicted of treason against Ukraine.

What types of compensation for destroyed housing are available in 2026?

As of 2026, compensation for destroyed housing is provided in two forms. The most common option is the “eRecovery” certificate, which can be used to purchase housing or invest in a new residential development.

An alternative form of compensation is the provision of funds for self-construction. This option is intended for owners of destroyed private houses who have a land plot and wish to build a new home themselves.

Is cash compensation available instead of a housing certificate?

The terms of the “eRecovery” program are focused исключительно on assistance in acquiring or restoring housing. Monetary compensation for destroyed housing is provided only in the forms предусмотренных программой: either a housing certificate or funds allocated for building a new home. The amount of compensation is calculated by a специальной комиссией according to a methodology approved by the Cabinet of Ministers.

How to obtain an “eRecovery” housing certificate via Diia

Let’s look at an example of how to obtain an “eRecovery” certificate. If housing has been damaged as a result of hostilities, the first step for the owner is to submit an application through the Diia app, a notary, or a CNAP (Administrative Services Center) reporting the destruction or damage of the property. Next, it is necessary to submit a second application for compensation. After processing, these applications are forwarded to a special commission established under local self-government bodies or a military administration. The commission conducts an inspection of the property and prepares an assessment report. Based on this report, a decision is made on whether to grant compensation, and the amount is determined.

How to use a certificate to purchase an apartment or house

The “eRecovery” certificate can be used to purchase housing on the secondary market, directly from a developer, or to invest in a new residential development. First, you need to apply to reserve the funds — this can be done via the Diia app. It is important to note that funds are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis, so there may be delays between submitting the application and the actual allocation of money.

The reservation is valid for 30 days, and within this period you must conclude a purchase agreement for a property or an investment agreement in a new development. When finalizing the transaction with a notary, the buyer simultaneously signs a statement terminating ownership rights to the destroyed property, and the notary records in the register that the certificate has been used.

Can the “eRecovery” certificate be invested in a new development?

Yes, the “eRecovery” certificate can be used to invest in construction or to purchase an apartment in a new development. However, certain requirements must be specified in the agreement. In particular, the development must be located in a non-occupied territory where no active hostilities are currently taking place. The notary is required to verify whether the developer has the legal right to carry out construction work, the right to develop the land plot, and whether the project is legally “clean.” Information about the construction must also be entered into the relevant state registers.

How is the amount of compensation for destroyed housing calculated?

The amount of compensation for destroyed housing is determined by a special commission that conducts an inspection after the owner submits an application. The total area of the destroyed property is multiplied by the cost per square meter set by the state for each specific region. At the same time, certain coefficients are applied depending on the type of locality where the housing was located. For example, these coefficients are higher for cities and regional centers.

What are the limits on housing area and cost?

The “eRecovery” housing certificate has limitations regarding both the size and cost of housing. The state compensates losses for an apartment with an area of up to 150 m², and for a private house — up to 200 m². As for the cost, special coefficients are applied during the calculation, depending on the region and the type of locality.

What is the validity period of the “eRecovery” housing certificate?

The “eRecovery” housing certificate is valid for five years from the date of issuance. It must be used within this period; otherwise, the right to compensation will be lost.

What restrictions apply to housing purchased with the certificate?

Housing (an apartment or a house) purchased using an “eRecovery” certificate is subject to certain restrictions. In particular, such property cannot be sold, transferred, or otherwise alienated for five years. During this period, the only legal way for ownership rights to transfer is through inheritance.

Advantages of “eRecovery” housing certificates

A key advantage of the “eRecovery” program is its flexibility, allowing several options for acquiring new housing: purchasing on the secondary or primary market, investing in a new development, or even building a home independently on one’s own land plot (provided cooperation with program-approved suppliers). Another benefit is that the housing certificate can be used within a five-year period.

Disadvantages and risks of the “eRecovery” program

The “eRecovery” program is currently the only effective way to acquire new housing to replace destroyed property, but it also comes with certain risks. For example, the damage assessment conducted by the commission may not correspond to the actual market value of the property.

Another drawback of housing certificates is the significant level of bureaucracy involved in the application process. For instance, if the destroyed property was acquired before the state register became operational and ownership rights were not properly recorded, additional steps must be taken to prove that the property belonged to the affected individual. Issues may also arise in inheritance cases, where heirs have not formally registered ownership rights or have not fully completed inheritance procedures, even if they have фактически used the property.

There are also situations where it is impossible to formalize ownership due to the loss or destruction of documents, as well as архивных records where duplicates могли храниться. However, only after ownership is officially registered can a person apply for compensation. As a result, this leads to additional затрат времени, усилий и средств.

Is it possible to receive compensation for housing in occupied territories?

The “eRecovery” program does not apply to housing located in temporarily occupied territories—primarily because the commission cannot access such properties to assess the extent of the damage. At the same time, there are related programs through which compensation and assistance may be available, such as vouchers for military personnel and internally displaced persons (IDPs).

What issues do sellers face when selling housing under the certificate?

Sellers whose properties are purchased using an “eRecovery” certificate generally do not face additional risks or problems. This is because the funds are reserved at the moment the contract is concluded, which guarantees that the full amount will be transferred by the state to the seller’s bank account within a few days after the notary enters all the necessary information into the register.

Taxes and additional costs when purchasing housing with a certificate

Real estate transactions carried out using “eRecovery” certificates are not subject to additional taxes or fees. However, the funds provided for purchasing housing under the certificate cannot be used for related expenses, such as searching for and selecting a property, notary services, property registration fees, valuation costs, and similar expenses.