Poland to roll back law on special status for Ukrainians: details
17 December 2025 12:14
The Polish government has prepared a bill that will abolish the special status of Ukrainian refugees after March 4, 2026.
This was announced on the social network X by the head of the cabinet of Polish President Karol Nawrocki, Pawel Scheffernacker, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
“President Karol Nawrocki has clearly stated that there will be no more indefinite extension of special conditions for refugees from Ukraine. The provisions that were necessary when a wave of refugees arrived in Poland should be canceled today,” Schaeffernacker wrote.
The Polish publication Onet writes that the draft prepared by the Ministry of the Interior and Administration of Poland stipulates that from March 4, 2026, Ukrainian refugees will no longer have a special status and will be treated like other foreigners staying in the country.
The proposed changes are expected to affect social and medical services. Ukrainians will still be able to receive emergency medical care. However, if they need other medical services, they will have to pay the appropriate fees, as other residents do.
A similar approach is planned for social assistance. In particular, in order to receive the popular 800 program (a monthly payment of PLN 800 per child), parents will need to work and pay social security contributions.
According to a new study by the Polish Economic Institute (PIE), about 650,000 Ukrainians currently working in Poland may leave the country in the future because only 15% of Ukrainian citizens have been able to integrate well into Polish society.
Reduction of support for Ukrainians in Poland
Citizens of Ukraine who went abroad because of the full-scale war and obtained the right to stay there legally usually receive social assistance from the host country.
The amount and conditions of such assistance vary from country to country and depend primarily on the financial capacity of the state.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki vetoed the bill on assistance to Ukrainian refugees. This document, among other things, was supposed to extend temporary protection for Ukrainian citizens fleeing the war until March 2026. The Polish government has drafted a new document that significantly reduces assistance to Ukrainian refugees.
The Polish Senate has voted in favor of a bill that preserves the “800” payment only for working Ukrainians. Navrotsky signed it.
The law also restricts adult Ukrainians’ access to medical services, including rehabilitation, dentistry, and medication. The legal status of Ukrainians has been extended until March 4, 2026, in line with the EU Council’s decision.
From now on, only those Ukrainian refugees who are employed and earn at least 50% of the minimum wage (PLN 2,333), and if their children study in Polish schools, will be eligible for assistance. The exception is for people with disabilities.
Currently, Poland ranks second after Germany in terms of the number of Ukrainians who have received temporary legal residence due to Russian aggression.
