Poland scales back on special arrangements to Ukrainian refugees

A change in Poland's legislation has ended the special refugee status previously granted to Ukrainian refugees, placing them instead under the same temporary protection framework that applies to other foreign nationals.

The updated rules came into force on March 5, bringing an end to the emergency assistance system that had been extended to nearly one million Ukrainian nations, according to Polish media reports.

The earlier special act had allowed Ukrainians simplified access to residence permits, employment, social benefits, and education.

However, the Polish government announced in January that the extraordinary wartime provisions were no longer needed and said it aimed to establish a “single, coherent support system” for all foreigners covered by temporary protection across the European Union.

Poland hosts close to one million Ukrainian refugees—the second-largest number in the EU after Germany.

Under the revised framework, the special arrangements for Ukrainians will gradually be withdrawn. Their EU-wide temporary protection status—allowing displaced individuals to live and work in EU countries during a crisis—will nevertheless remain valid until March 4, 2027.

As a result, some forms of daily support will be reduced. Free accommodation and meals will now be limited to particularly vulnerable groups, including elderly individuals and people with disabilities. Financial assistance distributed through the Office for Foreigners will also be scaled back.

Healthcare provisions are also becoming stricter. Ukrainians without insurance will be treated under the same rules as uninsured Polish citizens. Free medical care will be limited to children, pregnant women, victims of violence, and wounded soldiers, while others will need to follow the general healthcare regulations that apply to foreigners in Poland.

At the same time, the legislation extends the legal stay of Ukrainians already residing in Poland, allowing them to apply for residence documents valid until that date.

According to the rules, one of the key changes concerns the PESEL UKR identification number introduced for Ukrainians after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in 2022. Ukrainians seeking temporary protection will now be required to obtain a PESEL number within 30 days of entering Poland. Those who fail to register within that period will be considered to have waived their temporary protection status.

Measures designed to help Ukrainian children integrate into Polish schools—including additional Polish language lessons, preparatory classes, and simplified procedures for employing intercultural assistants—will remain in place only until the end of the current academic year.

By Nazrin Sadigova