Polish president signs new law on aid to Ukrainians

Polish President Karol Nawrocki has signed a law that terminates the decisions provided for by the previous law on assistance to Ukrainian citizens. At the same time, the most important support tools will not disappear, but will be transferred to the new law on granting protection to foreigners, RMF24 reported.

According to the new rules, legal stay will remain for all Ukrainians fleeing the war, as well as for Ukrainian citizens with extended documents due to the full-scale Russian invasion. They will be able to apply for legal stay in Poland until 4 March 2027.

An innovation was the requirement to obtain a PESEL (UKR) number within 30 days of entry. Failure to submit it on time will be considered as a refusal of temporary protection.

The President emphasised that Poland continues to support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, but the "stage of unconditional privileges" for Ukrainians is coming to an end.

Social benefits will be reduced: medical care will now be provided only to minors, working persons, victims of torture and rape, and vulnerable groups in collective accommodation centres. Non-working persons would receive health care on an equal basis with other foreigners.

Until the end of the school year, benefits for schoolchildren would be maintained: financial aid, free transport, preparatory courses, additional Polish language lessons and flexible conditions for teachers. After that, schools will switch to the normal rules.

The new law cancels the system of separate special assistance for Ukrainian refugees that has been in place since 2022 and introduces a common system of temporary protection for all foreigners, ensuring a combination of support and equal treatment.

Earlier, in November 2025, Karol Nawrocki said that this was the last time he would sign a law on assistance to Ukrainian refugees, noting the need for accountability and equal treatment of all national minorities.