Polish Radio, citing government spokespeople, confirmed on 23 January 2026 that Warsaw will tighten eligibility for free public healthcare currently offered to Ukrainian citizens under wartime emergency legislation. The change is part of a broader reform that will link all forms of state assistance to economic activity and residency intentions.
Specifically, free medical services will in future be limited to minors, pregnant women, persons with disabilities and refugees living in state-run accommodation centres. Working-age adults who are not employed or enrolled in Poland’s social-insurance system will have to take out commercial coverage or pay the National Health Fund contribution directly. The Ministry of Health argues that the open-ended provision of free care is no longer sustainable now that a majority of the 950,000 Ukrainians in Poland are employed and contributing to the economy.
For those Ukrainian nationals who may now need to formalize their residency status or secure compliant health insurance, VisaHQ can streamline the process. The company’s platform (https://www.visahq.com/poland/) provides step-by-step guidance for Polish visa applications, ZUS registration and recommended insurance policies, helping applicants stay on top of paperwork and avoid coverage gaps as the regulations evolve.
![Poland to Restrict Free Healthcare for Ukrainian Refugees as Support Scheme Is Overhauled]()
The reforms build on earlier steps that made the flagship “800+” child benefit conditional on parents being in work or registered as job seekers. Government officials say the aim is to move from emergency relief to long-term integration, encouraging refugees to regularise their status and become self-supporting taxpayers. Critics, including several NGOs, warn that the measures could leave vulnerable adults without access to essential treatment if they lose jobs or work in the grey economy.
For employers the shift raises practical issues: Ukrainian staff newly hired on local contracts will need to be enrolled in the ZUS social-insurance system from day one, while posted workers may require private health insurance that meets Polish minimum standards. Assignment budgets should be revisited to account for additional premiums, especially for non-working spouses now losing automatic coverage. Mobility teams should also prepare guidance for employees who have relied on free services and may have to change doctors or clinics.
The draft regulation is due to be tabled in the Sejm in early February. Provided it passes, the new healthcare rules are expected to come into force on 1 April 2026, with a two-month grace period for individuals to arrange alternative coverage.
Specifically, free medical services will in future be limited to minors, pregnant women, persons with disabilities and refugees living in state-run accommodation centres. Working-age adults who are not employed or enrolled in Poland’s social-insurance system will have to take out commercial coverage or pay the National Health Fund contribution directly. The Ministry of Health argues that the open-ended provision of free care is no longer sustainable now that a majority of the 950,000 Ukrainians in Poland are employed and contributing to the economy.
For those Ukrainian nationals who may now need to formalize their residency status or secure compliant health insurance, VisaHQ can streamline the process. The company’s platform (https://www.visahq.com/poland/) provides step-by-step guidance for Polish visa applications, ZUS registration and recommended insurance policies, helping applicants stay on top of paperwork and avoid coverage gaps as the regulations evolve.
The reforms build on earlier steps that made the flagship “800+” child benefit conditional on parents being in work or registered as job seekers. Government officials say the aim is to move from emergency relief to long-term integration, encouraging refugees to regularise their status and become self-supporting taxpayers. Critics, including several NGOs, warn that the measures could leave vulnerable adults without access to essential treatment if they lose jobs or work in the grey economy.
For employers the shift raises practical issues: Ukrainian staff newly hired on local contracts will need to be enrolled in the ZUS social-insurance system from day one, while posted workers may require private health insurance that meets Polish minimum standards. Assignment budgets should be revisited to account for additional premiums, especially for non-working spouses now losing automatic coverage. Mobility teams should also prepare guidance for employees who have relied on free services and may have to change doctors or clinics.
The draft regulation is due to be tabled in the Sejm in early February. Provided it passes, the new healthcare rules are expected to come into force on 1 April 2026, with a two-month grace period for individuals to arrange alternative coverage.
