Pensions in France for Ukrainians: Translating Your Trudova Knyzhka for CNAV

30 years as a nurse in Ukraine, moved to France in 2022, been working for three years now - and suddenly the question hits: what about my pension? Will anyone count my Ukrainian years? Do I need to translate my trudova knyzhka (employment record book)? And if I don’t have enough work history in France - what can I expect? If this sounds like you or someone you know - let’s figure it out.

How the French pension system works: the short version¶

France’s pension system runs on contributions. You work in France, you pay cotisations sociales (social contributions) - and you accumulate trimestres (quarters of insured service). Rack up enough trimestres - you get a pension.

The basic pension for private sector employees is paid by CNAV - Caisse nationale d’assurance vieillesse (National Old-Age Insurance Fund). It’s France’s main pension fund. On top of that, there’s Agirc-Arrco - a supplementary pension fund that also receives contributions from every paycheck.

How much you need for a full pension¶

As of 2026, the legal retirement age is 64 (for those born from 1968 onward). For a full pension (taux plein), you need between 169 and 172 trimestres depending on your birth year - that’s 42 to 43 years of contributions. One trimestre = one quarter during which you earned at least 1,747 euros gross (as of 2026).

If you don’t have enough trimestres - your pension gets reduced (décote). But from age 67, you automatically get the full rate regardless of how many trimestres you’ve accumulated.

Does Ukrainian work experience count toward a French pension?¶

Short answer: unfortunately, no. There’s no bilateral social security agreement (convention bilatérale de sécurité sociale) between Ukraine and France. France has such agreements with 73 countries - Turkey, Morocco, Canada, Brazil, the USA, and dozens more. But Ukraine isn’t on the list.

What this means in practice:

• Years worked in Ukraine don’t count as trimestres for your French pension
• Your Ukrainian work history doesn’t affect how your French pension is calculated
• France’s pension fund doesn’t send requests to Ukraine’s Pension Fund to verify your work history

For comparison: the situation with Germany is similar - an agreement was signed back in 2018, but Ukraine hasn’t ratified it, so it’s not in effect.

Any chance this will change?¶

In theory, France and Ukraine could sign a bilateral agreement - but practically speaking, this isn’t happening anytime soon. These negotiations take years even in peacetime. Given the current circumstances - don’t build your plans around it.

Why translate your trudova knyzhka then?¶

Even though Ukrainian work experience doesn’t count directly toward your French pension - there are several situations where having your trudova knyzhka translated is useful or even required.

1. Proving your qualifications and experience¶

Your trudova knyzhka is an official document that proves your professional experience. A translation may be needed for:

• Qualification recognition through ENIC-NARIC France (for example, for medical professionals or teachers)
• Applying for a Passeport talent, where you need to demonstrate expertise in your field
• A French employer who wants to verify your work history
• Applying for a carte de séjour salarié, where proof of professional experience may be required

2. A possible future agreement between France and Ukraine¶

If a bilateral agreement does get signed and ratified someday - a translated trudova knyzhka will be the first document they ask for when crediting your work history. Having a ready sworn translation saves time down the road.

3. Applying for ASPA (minimum old-age benefit)¶

ASPA (Allocation de solidarité aux personnes âgées) is a minimum benefit for elderly people in France. Even if you’ve never worked in France, you may be eligible for ASPA - but there are conditions (more on those below). When reviewing your application, CNAV may ask for proof of previous employment - and that’s where a translated trudova knyzhka comes in.

ASPA: the safety net for those without enough work history¶

If you don’t have enough trimestres for a regular pension or have no French work history at all - there’s ASPA. It’s not a pension in the traditional sense, but a social benefit for people over 65 with low income.

ASPA amounts in 2026¶

It’s not a fortune by French standards, but compare it to the average Ukrainian pension (around 100-110 euros per month) - it’s ten times more.

ASPA eligibility for foreigners¶

Here’s the catch that disappoints many people:

• Age: 65 or older
• Residence in France: at least 9 months per year, consistently
• Titre de séjour: you need a carte de résident or equivalent document granting permanent residence - and you must have held it for at least 10 continuous years
• Income: below the threshold (roughly 12,523 euros per year for a single person)

The key restriction is the 10 years with a carte de résident. If you arrived in France in 2022 on APS (temporary protection) - you’re a long way from 10 years with a full residence permit. APS doesn’t count as a permanent residence document.

There is an exception though: refugees with full réfugié status (not temporary protection, but actual refugee status) can get ASPA without the 10-year requirement.

Your Ukrainian pension: don’t forget about it¶

If you were already receiving a pension in Ukraine before moving - or you’ve reached retirement age (60 for women, 65 for men) - your Ukrainian pension continues to be paid abroad.

How to receive your Ukrainian pension in France¶

Ukraine’s Pension Fund transfers pensions abroad via international bank transfer. Here’s what you need:

• Submit an application to your local Pension Fund office (through a representative in Ukraine or online)
• Provide your French bank account details
• Pass annual physical identification (proof that you’re alive)

Identification in 2026 - deadline extended¶

The deadline for pension identification for those living abroad has been extended to July 1, 2026. If you don’t complete identification - payments stop. You can do it:

• By mail: send a handwritten statement and a copy of your ID document to the Pension Fund
• Online: send scanned copies via email to the relevant Pension Fund office
• Through the Ukrainian consulate in France

The average Ukrainian pension is around 4,500-5,000 UAH (100-120 euros). Not much, but combined with French benefits (ASPA or work pension), it’s additional income.

Translating your trudova knyzhka: what you need to know¶

A trudova knyzhka (employment record book) is one of the most challenging documents to translate. It’s not a single page like a birth certificate - it’s 10, 20, sometimes 30+ pages of entries from different employers spanning decades.

Who can translate it¶

In France, official translations for government authorities can only be done by a traducteur assermenté - a sworn translator registered with a Court of Appeal (Cour d’appel). A translation done in Ukraine won’t be accepted - only one from a locally registered translator.

Where to find a Ukrainian translator: - Official directory: annuaire-traducteur-assermente.fr - Embassy list: france.mfa.gov.ua

How much does it cost to translate a trudova knyzhka¶

The price depends on the number of pages and the language pair. Approximate sworn translation prices in France:

Pricing is usually per page (250 words = 1 page): 28 to 50 euros per page, depending on the translator and urgency. A trudova knyzhka is a tricky document with abbreviations, Soviet-era job titles, and bureaucratic language, so the per-page rate may run higher than standard.

Pro tip: before ordering a full translation, check with CNAV or your Caisse de retraite which specific pages they need. Often it’s enough to translate the personal data page and the pages with hiring/termination records - without supplements and duplicate entries.

How to prepare your trudova knyzhka for translation¶

• Make a quality scan of all pages (not phone photos - proper scans)
• Check that all entries are legible - if the ink has faded, ask the translator to assess upfront
• If you have a supplement (vkladysh) to your trudova knyzhka - scan that too
• Send the scan to the translator for a preliminary cost estimate
• ChatsControl can help with a preliminary translation - so you understand the content of each entry and can explain the context to the sworn translator

What else to translate for pension matters¶

Besides your trudova knyzhka, various pension procedures in France may require:

An apostille on a trudova knyzhka usually isn’t required since it’s neither a civil status document nor an education document. But it’s worth checking with CNAV before submitting.

Step-by-step plan: what to do right now¶

If retirement is still far away (age 40-55):

1. Work legally in France and collect trimestres - every quarter counts
2. Check your relevé de carrière (career statement) at lassuranceretraite.fr - it shows all your registered trimestres
3. Keep your Ukrainian trudova knyzhka safe - it may come in handy if a bilateral agreement is signed
4. Don’t rush into an expensive translation - get it done when there’s a specific need

If you’re nearing retirement age (60-65):

1. Contact CNAV or your local CARSAT (Caisse d’assurance retraite et de la santé au travail) for a consultation - they’ll tell you what you can expect
2. Count your French trimestres
3. If your French work history is short or nonexistent - find out about ASPA (conditions, documents, timelines)
4. Check whether you’re receiving your Ukrainian pension and whether you’ve completed PFU identification
5. Order a trudova knyzhka translation if CNAV or a social worker asks for it

If you’re already 65+ with no pension:

1. Book an appointment with CNAV (tel. +33 9 74 75 76 99, Mon-Fri 8:00-17:00)
2. Apply for ASPA through your local CARSAT or CNAV
3. Visit your local CCAS (Centre communal d’action sociale) - they’ll help with the paperwork
4. Ask a social worker for help - they know how to guide you through the process

FAQ¶

Can I get a French pension if I only worked in Ukraine?¶

No. If you’ve never worked or paid contributions in France - you won’t receive a standard work pension. But from age 65, you can apply for ASPA (minimum old-age benefit) - provided you live in France permanently and have held a carte de résident for at least 10 years.

How much does it cost to translate a trudova knyzhka in France?¶

It depends on the number of pages. Roughly 28-50 euros per page for a sworn translation. A 15-page trudova knyzhka will run you 400-700 euros. Check with CNAV which specific pages they need - you might not have to translate everything.

Will my Ukrainian pension stop if I live in France?¶

No, as long as you complete annual identification with Ukraine’s Pension Fund. The 2026 deadline has been extended to July 1. You can do it by mail, online, or through the consulate. Without identification, payments stop.

Do years on temporary protection (APS) count toward ASPA eligibility?¶

No. ASPA requires a carte de résident or equivalent document for at least 10 continuous years. APS (temporary protection) doesn’t count toward this requirement.

Where can I get pension advice in France?¶

CNAV: +33 9 74 75 76 99 (Mon-Fri 8:00-17:00). Or book an appointment with your local CARSAT. You can also get help at CCAS (Centre communal d’action sociale) in your city - they have social workers who specialize in helping elderly residents.