In an evening vote on 7 November 2025 the Polish Sejm rejected President Karol Nawrocki’s draft law on assistance for people fleeing Russia’s war against Ukraine. The presidential proposal, submitted after he vetoed an earlier government bill, was dismissed by 244 deputies, who argued that it duplicated provisions that had already entered into force in September.
The government’s September law, which therefore remains in place, extends the legal stay of Ukrainians under temporary protection until 4 March 2026 but narrows welfare entitlements. Most cash benefits and free medical programmes are now conditional on the adult beneficiary having a formal job in Poland and on school attendance for their children. Only parents of disabled children are exempt from the work requirement. Companies continue to enjoy fast-track online registration of Ukrainian employees, but must upload employment contracts before work starts.
![Polish Sejm throws out President’s refugee-aid bill, keeps stricter work-linked benefits for Ukrainians]()
For employers the key takeaway is that hiring Ukrainian staff remains straightforward, yet HR departments need to monitor whether employees remain in work; if a contract ends, the family risks losing access to certain social benefits. Local governments are also bracing for tighter audits of benefit eligibility in 2026.
For Ukrainian nationals the message is clear: maintain legal employment status to preserve healthcare coverage, rehabilitation programmes and prescription subsidies. Community NGOs anticipate a rise in demand for job-matching and childcare support so that more refugees can enter the labour market.
The clash between the president and parliament highlights Poland’s new political dynamic since the October parliamentary elections. While the dispute was procedural, it reminded multinationals of the importance of tracking fast-moving legislative changes that can alter the compliance landscape for relocated staff and their dependants overnight.
The government’s September law, which therefore remains in place, extends the legal stay of Ukrainians under temporary protection until 4 March 2026 but narrows welfare entitlements. Most cash benefits and free medical programmes are now conditional on the adult beneficiary having a formal job in Poland and on school attendance for their children. Only parents of disabled children are exempt from the work requirement. Companies continue to enjoy fast-track online registration of Ukrainian employees, but must upload employment contracts before work starts.
For employers the key takeaway is that hiring Ukrainian staff remains straightforward, yet HR departments need to monitor whether employees remain in work; if a contract ends, the family risks losing access to certain social benefits. Local governments are also bracing for tighter audits of benefit eligibility in 2026.
For Ukrainian nationals the message is clear: maintain legal employment status to preserve healthcare coverage, rehabilitation programmes and prescription subsidies. Community NGOs anticipate a rise in demand for job-matching and childcare support so that more refugees can enter the labour market.
The clash between the president and parliament highlights Poland’s new political dynamic since the October parliamentary elections. While the dispute was procedural, it reminded multinationals of the importance of tracking fast-moving legislative changes that can alter the compliance landscape for relocated staff and their dependants overnight.
