From January 1, 2025, a Presidential Decree will come into force, extending the validity period of the family capital program.
Effective January 1, 2025, Decree of the President No. 403 of October 30, 2024, comes into force, extending the validity of the family capital program for another 5 years: from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2029.
A significant preference in the Decree is the provision of the right to receive family capital for citizens of the Republic of Belarus who did not have Belarusian citizenship at the date of birth (adoption) of the third or subsequent child, but obtained Belarusian citizenship within 12 months after their birth (adoption).
The possibilities for early use of family capital funds have been expanded:
The document expands the possibilities for using family capital funds for housing improvement:
the right to early use is granted for housing construction, regardless of the presence of a district executive committee's permit for construction (which was previously mandatory);
residential premises that do not meet sanitary and technical requirements are not taken into account in the total area of housing owned by the family;
large families now have the opportunity to use family capital funds early to acquire a share in residential premises, if the family already owns shares in these residential premises;
the possibility has arisen to repay loans issued on the basis of refinancing agreements for the construction, reconstruction, and acquisition of residential premises, or shares in the ownership of such premises.
In addition, the possibility of paying for education for the next academic year is established when family capital is directed towards obtaining education (currently - for the current and previous years).
The list of means intended for the social rehabilitation of disabled persons that can be purchased using family capital funds is expanded – for family members with visual impairments.
The Decree consolidates specific issues regarding the expenditure of family capital funds.
For housing improvement:
1. When acquiring residential houses and apartments, family capital funds can be used for the residential premises themselves, including the cost of land in private ownership, as well as for outbuildings and adjacent territory improvement elements acquired along with them;
2. When repaying debts on loans and borrowings of an organization provided for the construction, reconstruction, or acquisition of housing, family capital funds can be used regardless of the type of loan (including preferential loans) and the date of conclusion of the loan agreement or borrowing agreement (including those concluded before 2015).
For medical services:
1. It is specified that the right to early use of family capital for paid medical services is granted provided that there is a need for them;
2. It is clarified that family capital funds can be used to purchase medications, with the exception of those for which citizens are provided with funds from the republican and (or) local budgets in accordance with healthcare legislation.
Other changes:
Property rights of children to residential premises built or acquired using family capital are enshrined, including in the event of parental divorce;
When transferring family capital funds for the construction or acquisition of housing, these funds will be considered funds of all family members jointly improving housing conditions: parents and children in equal shares.