Polish President Karol Nawrocki has signed a law terminating special provisions regarding assistance to Ukrainian citizens. The document transfers key support mechanisms to the act on protection for foreigners, effectively annulling the separate "special law."
As reported by Hvylya, citing the Polish agency PAP.
In his address, Nawrocki emphasized that his signature demonstrates the effectiveness of pressure applied on the government. According to him, a previous veto forced the authorities to refine the bill and incorporate changes expected by the Polish people.
"This is proof that firmness yields results," the Polish president stated. He underscored that Warsaw invariably stands with Ukraine in the fight against imperial Russia and that Poland "like no other state, has passed the test of solidarity."
At the same time, Nawrocki noted he had promised to end the "stage of unconditional privileges." "Today, I am fulfilling that obligation. I sign this law with the conviction that it protects our state finances, brings order to the system, and restores a sense of elementary justice," he explained.
The new law concludes the period of interventionist aid and introduces systemic rules. Meanwhile, the legal stay for war refugees from Ukraine is extended until March 4, 2027. This will allow Ukrainians to apply for legal residence permits.
Key changes:
The regulation of PESEL UKR status is moving to the general law on protection for foreigners. Paper certificates will be replaced by an electronic card in the Diia app, and identity verification will be available via mObywatel. Important: if an individual fails to apply for a PESEL UKR within 30 days of entry, temporary protection is automatically annulled.
Social support is being significantly curtailed. Medical care will be provided only to minors, officially employed persons, victims of violence, and vulnerable groups living in collective centers. Unemployed refugees will have the same access to healthcare as other unemployed foreigners.
Assistance with housing and food remains available only for vulnerable categories for whom transitioning to general Polish conditions would be excessively costly.
In the education sector, funding for transport, additional Polish language lessons, and increased limits for teachers remains in place until the end of the current school year. However, once the school year ends, schools will revert to standard regulations.
The law also increases the period for potentially restricting the right to apply for international protection from 60 to 120 days. The new rules are set to take effect on March 5, 2026.
