Lukashenko extended family capital programme, with decree envisaging several innovations

President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko has signed a decree extending the validity period of the family capital programme for the next five-year period (from 2025 to 2029), while maintaining the current conditions, sb.by reports with reference to the Belarusian leader’s press service

The document expands the possibilities of using family capital funds to improve housing conditions. Thus, the right to their early use in housing construction is granted, regardless of whether there is an appropriate referral paperwork from a local authority for such construction. Residential premises that do not meet sanitary and technical requirements are not taken into account in the total area of family housing. It envisages the possibility of early use of funds to purchase a share (shares) in residential premises, if the family already owns shares in these residential premises. Early use of family capital is also allowed to repay loans issued on the basis of refinancing agreements for the construction, reconstruction, purchase of residential premises, share (shares) in their ownership.

For the first time, the decree enshrines the rights of children (including in the case of parental divorce) to residential premises built or acquired using family capital.

The document establishes the possibility of paying tuition fees for the next academic year when the family capital is used for education (at present – for the current and previous years). The list of funds intended for the social rehabilitation of the disabled, which can be purchased using family capital, is expanding.

In addition, the document grants the right to assign family capital to foreign citizens and stateless persons permanently residing in Belarus, if they acquire citizenship no later than one year from the date of birth (adoption) of the third and subsequent children.

The decree aims to improve the living conditions of large families and their long-term state support.

As reported, in March 2024, during a conversation with activists of the Belarusian Women’s Union, Aleksandr Lukashenko announced his intention to extend the family capital programme. The President noted that at the time of the start of the implementation of this programme [2015] there were about 63 thousand large families in Belarus, while now their number exceeds 120 thousand.

“See for yourself. We are addressing a most vital issue. There is no more important issue than the growth of our population. We have problems with that. I often say that our Belarus with our hardworking people and resources is capable of feeding 15 or even 20 million, given our geopolitical situation,” the Head of State said. “I will be happy to take a decision to extend this family capital and support our families. The only condition is that this money should go to whoever needs it.”