Nawrocki signs law to extend aid to Ukrainians in Poland, but there are conditions

Nawrocki signs law to extend aid to Ukrainians in Poland, but there are conditions. Illustrative photo: The Warsaw

Polish President Karol Nawrocki has signed a new law on assistance to Ukrainians who have temporary protection status in the country. However, the rules for receiving financial support have been changed.

This was stated by the head of the Polish president's office, Zbigniew Bogucki, according to RMF FM and Оnet.pl.

Bogutsky noted that this is the last bill concerning assistance to Ukrainians, which is signed by Nawrocki. According to him, the government has six months to move to «normal rules», which will operate on a general basis.

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«We must move to normal rules for Ukrainian citizens. The government has six months to do this. The President is sending a very clear signal today - the end of preferences and special conditions. These issues need to be resolved on the basis of general rules that apply to everyone,» said Zbigniew Bogucki.

Bogucki stressed that President «will not allow himself or Poles to be blackmailed».

«The President has finally forced this government to limit the benefits for Ukrainian citizens, especially those who do not work in Poland, who do not even live here... In fact, this is the end of tourism from Ukraine at the expense of Polish taxpayers,» said Zbigniew Bogucki.

He said that on Monday, two legislative initiatives would be submitted to the Sejm, one of which concerns the extension of the period after which foreigners, including Ukrainians, will be able to apply for Polish citizenship.

New law on assistance to Ukrainians in Poland

The new law stipulates that the right to social benefits will now be subject to certain conditions. Only those Ukrainians who are officially employed in Poland or whose children attend Polish schools will be eligible for assistance. An exception is made for people with disabilities.

To receive benefits, you also need to have an income of at least 50% of the minimum wage. Polish authorities will check monthly whether the recipient is employed, and in case of job loss or departure from the country, payments will be terminated.

The law also provides for changes in the healthcare sector: adult Ukrainians will have limited access to some medical services, including rehabilitation, dental treatment and certain types of drug therapy.

A separate provision of the document provides for the extension of temporary protection for Ukrainians until 4 March 2026, in accordance with the decision of the EU Council. This will help to avoid a legal vacuum that could arise after the expiry of the current term on 30 September 2025.

Earlier it was reported that Karol Nawrocki vetoed the new version of the law on assistance to Ukrainian citizens who have temporary protection status in the country. He stated that he did not agree with «the privileged attitude of» to foreigners and promised to submit his own draft law.