Starting from August 2025, new, stricter rules regarding assistance to Ukrainian refugees will come into effect in Poland. The changes will affect both housing provision and the registration and social support procedures. The law, passed by the Polish authorities, aims to align national legislation with European Union standards and protect against potential abuses.
This is reported by Finway
Housing Only for Vulnerable Groups of Ukrainians
Beginning October 31, 2025, the mass accommodation of Ukrainian refugees in collective centers will be halted. From November 1, housing and food in such centers will only be provided to representatives of specific vulnerable categories:
- children receiving “800+” assistance;
- pensioners with appropriate benefits;
- persons with moderate and severe disabilities;
- women over 60 and men over 65 who do not receive a pension.
Each individual from these groups will receive compensation of 15 zlotys per day.
Stricter Registration and Support Rules
According to the new law, control over the registration of Ukrainian citizens is being tightened. From now on:
- benefits will be discontinued for individuals who frequently cross the border under local border traffic;
- border guards will collect fingerprints;
- data on border crossings will be entered into the national system;
- obtaining a PESEL number for children will only be possible with their personal presence, regardless of age.
Changes have also been made to the social benefits system – Ukrainian teenagers studying in higher education institutions or vocational schools will retain the right to receive “800+” benefits after reaching adulthood. This will ensure continuity of support during the transition to higher education.
“The Polish authorities believe that most people have already integrated and can support themselves. At the same time, there remain several vulnerable groups that require state support.”
From now on, the list of grounds for revoking residence permits has been expanded. A permit may be revoked in cases of providing false information, entering into a fictitious marriage, or attempting to circumvent migration rules in other ways. The processing time for residence applications has also been extended, especially for highly qualified workers and long-term EU residents.
Education and Employment in the Medical Field
Funding for programs for Ukrainian children in Polish schools will continue, and educational institutions that have opened additional classes will be able to continue paying teachers for overtime work. Medical professionals from Ukraine will have the right to work in Poland under a simplified procedure until March 2026; however, the requirements for recognizing qualifications and verifying documents will be tightened.
The updated law will come into effect 14 days after its official publication, and it is expected that the new rules will actually start to apply from August 2025.