Unemployment Benefit Changes in 3 Phases: Major Shift from 2026

The unemployment benefit system is undergoing a transitional phase with three key changes. Since the launch of the new pilot program in April 2025, the unemployment benefit has become performance-based, meaning its amount depends on the previous employment-insurance period and the average salary of the recipient. During the pilot phase over the next 12 months, all recipients will see an increase in their benefits compared to the current level. The second change will occur when the new model is fully implemented around April-May 2026. According to sources from the Ministry of Labor, the 1:1 ratio between employment-insurance duration and benefit duration will be replaced with a 2:1 ratio. For example, two years of continuous employment will be required for one year of unemployment benefits. The third change involves the implementation of a unified National Register of Benefits by the Ministry of Finance, expected by the end of 2026. This register will include both OPEKA and DYPA benefits, enabling cross-references for citizens’ benefits and needs. The government’s goal is to promote a ‘working society,’ encouraging unemployed individuals to return to work, increasing employee wages, and reducing state-provided benefits.