Polish President Karol Nawrocki has signed into law a bill that ends the special status for Ukrainian refugees introduced following the outbreak of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.
However, the legislation does not nullify EU rules regarding temporary protection. It instead seeks to bring the special status of Ukrainian refugees into line with that of all other nationalities.
Following his signing of the bill, President Nawrocki said that “what was justified at the time of trial, over time began to breed a sense of inequality towards Polish citizens”.
“I promised to end the era of unconditional privileges. Today, I am fulfilling this commitment,” Mr Nawrocki said.
In 2022, the Polish government passed a temporary law granting Ukrainians easier access to social supports and integration aids in light of the millions of refugees escaping across the border.
However, four years later and with approximately one million Ukrainian refugees still residing in Poland, the government responded to a shift in public opinion towards such benefits by bringing the special status to an end.
A poll late last year found that half of Poles surveyed thought that their country was offering Ukrainian refugees too much help, while another found that just under 50 percent of Poles supported accepting refugees affected by the war.
The figures were described by Polish state public opinion researcher CBOS as “the worst results in the history of our measurements, which began shortly after the annexation of Crimea over a decade ago”.
Following the signing of the bill into law, Ukrainian refugees will face the same requirements as other foreigners residing, or seeking residence in, Poland.
Previously, special status for Ukrainian refugees involved the simplification of rules related to life in Poland, entitling them to automatic, legal stay; quicker access to work without additional permits; child benefit; and housing help.
Under the new legislation, Ukrainian refugees will need to apply for a regular residence permit, and from March 2027, will be required to acquire the work permits expected of all foreign nationals, depending on the line of work.
A key provision also sees Ukrainians seeking temporary protection in need of a Polish identification number (PESEL) within 30 days of their arrival in the country, or risk losing access to the benefits afforded by that status. Likewise, if a person leaves Poland for more than 30 consecutive days, they risk losing temporary protection status.
Meanwhile, access to child benefit and free public healthcare will be standardised, bringing Ukrainian refugees into line for the most part with Polish citizens.
State-provided housing and shelter will be limited under the new scheme to especially vulnerable people, such as those with disabilities, pregnant women or the elderly.
“The new law ends emergency assistance and introduces systemic rules. Support – yes. Privileges at the expense of Poles – no. Benefits will be linked to work in Poland and children’s school attendance, just like for other foreigners.
“Assistance must be coupled with responsibility and contribution to our community. We are restoring full control over the residence legalisation process. We are creating fair rules for those who want to work here – while also protecting the Polish labor market and the state budget,” Mr Nawrocki said following his signing of the legislation.