A landmark act that entered into force on 5 March ushers in the gradual withdrawal of most special-purpose social benefits that Poland introduced for Ukrainian refugees in the wake of Russia’s 2022 invasion. While the legislation preserves temporary-protection status until at least March 2027, free housing and food allowances will now be restricted mainly to minors, the employed and other vulnerable individuals.
Healthcare subsidies are also being tightened: only children, pregnant women, registered employees and victims of torture or sexual violence will retain full coverage. Education support—from free transport to extra Polish-language classes—will be funded only until the current academic year ends. Government spokesperson Adam Szłapka said that, four years into the crisis, the time had come to replace emergency measures with “systemic solutions” that encourage labour-market integration and reduce fiscal strain.
![Poland begins phasing out social benefits for Ukrainian refugees under new law]()
For organisations and individuals trying to keep pace with Poland’s fast-evolving immigration rules, VisaHQ can streamline the process of obtaining visas, residence permits and other travel documents; its Poland portal (https://www.visahq.com/poland/) offers clear, up-to-date guidance that can help Ukrainian nationals—as well as their prospective employers—understand the latest requirements and timelines.
Non-governmental organisations warn that the cuts may increase homelessness among single adults and push some refugees into the shadow economy. Employers who rely on Ukrainian staff could therefore face greater scrutiny from the Labour Inspectorate if irregular work rises. Companies are advised to verify that affected employees pay their own health-insurance premiums and to budget for possible wage top-ups or private-insurance packages.
The new act forms part of a broader “phasing-out” agenda that also tweaks residence-permit rules and fee structures (see related story below). Mobility teams should audit internal policies to ensure that references to the special refugee regime are updated before the grace periods expire.
Healthcare subsidies are also being tightened: only children, pregnant women, registered employees and victims of torture or sexual violence will retain full coverage. Education support—from free transport to extra Polish-language classes—will be funded only until the current academic year ends. Government spokesperson Adam Szłapka said that, four years into the crisis, the time had come to replace emergency measures with “systemic solutions” that encourage labour-market integration and reduce fiscal strain.
For organisations and individuals trying to keep pace with Poland’s fast-evolving immigration rules, VisaHQ can streamline the process of obtaining visas, residence permits and other travel documents; its Poland portal (https://www.visahq.com/poland/) offers clear, up-to-date guidance that can help Ukrainian nationals—as well as their prospective employers—understand the latest requirements and timelines.
Non-governmental organisations warn that the cuts may increase homelessness among single adults and push some refugees into the shadow economy. Employers who rely on Ukrainian staff could therefore face greater scrutiny from the Labour Inspectorate if irregular work rises. Companies are advised to verify that affected employees pay their own health-insurance premiums and to budget for possible wage top-ups or private-insurance packages.
The new act forms part of a broader “phasing-out” agenda that also tweaks residence-permit rules and fee structures (see related story below). Mobility teams should audit internal policies to ensure that references to the special refugee regime are updated before the grace periods expire.
