The Polish Ministry of the Interior has presented a new draft law aimed at ensuring access for foreigners, including Ukrainian refugees, to family benefits and expanding temporary protection for those fleeing from war. The document emerged after President Karol Nawrocki vetoed a previous amendment at the end of August, arguing that child benefits should only be provided to individuals officially employed in Poland.
This is reported by Finway
Conditions of the New Government Initiative
According to the government draft law, foreigners from outside the EU will receive “800+” assistance only if the applicant is active in the Polish labor market and their children are studying in local educational institutions. At the same time, the assistance should not be the sole source of income for the family. The draft law also includes a payment at the start of the school year (“Good Start”) and implements the EU Council’s decision to extend temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees until March 4, 2026. The Polish government is expected to review this package of changes by the end of September.
Impact of Ukrainians on the Polish Economy and Public Opinion
The presence of Ukrainians in Poland has sparked lively discussions among the local population. According to a sociological survey, 53.8% of Poles consider the presence of Ukrainians a positive factor for the country’s economy, while 33.4% hold the opposite view. The study’s results indicate that attitudes towards Ukrainian refugees are largely determined by political preferences. Among supporters of the ruling parties, 68.1% view the impact of Ukrainians as positive, while among opposition voters, 52% see it as negative.
“Under the government draft law, foreigners from outside the European Union will receive assistance called ‘800+’ only if the applicant is active in the labor market and the children are studying in Poland. The assistance should also not be the sole source of income. The draft law includes assistance for the start of the school year, known as ‘Good Start.’ Another section implements the EU Council’s decision to extend temporary protection for Ukrainian war refugees until March 4, 2026. The Polish government will consider the proposal by the end of September.”
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized that the country has become part of a club of 20 nations worldwide with an economy of $1 trillion. Poland’s economic growth rates are outpacing leading European countries: GDP increased by 3.4% in the second quarter of this year, allowing Poland to rank among the most dynamic economies on the continent.
Since the beginning of the full-scale war and until mid-2025, Ukrainians who have found refuge in Poland have contributed approximately $82.15 billion to GDP. During this period, the total amount of Polish assistance to Ukrainian refugees and to Ukraine itself has reached $10.4 billion. Ukrainian displaced persons have contributed to the growth of Poland’s real GDP: by 1.5% in 2022, by 2.3% in 2023, and by 2.7% in 2024.