Ukrainians who are ready to return home from Poland will be provided with housing and social assistance: details

Ukrainians living in Poland are facing significant changes in the rules for receiving social assistance, which will particularly affect families with children, the elderly, and those who do not have official employment. In response, the Ukrainian government is preparing a support programme for citizens who have decided to return to their homeland. Find out what support measures are planned

Legal advice for Ukrainians

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The Ukrainian government is developing a support system for citizens who decide to return from abroad. The authorities understand that many Ukrainians who find themselves in Poland and other EU countries are facing new difficulties and restrictions, so they are already preparing a set of measures for those who decide to return home.

What kind of support is Ukraine preparing?

After meeting with Ukrainians in Poland, Deputy Head of the President's Office Iryna Vereshchuk said that assistance will be directed primarily to vulnerable groups of the population — the elderly, people with disabilities, single mothers and those who are unable to work.

The support includes:

▪️ provision of temporary housing;

▪️ humanitarian aid and basic necessities;

▪️ access to medical services;

▪️ social protection guarantees.

In addition, there are plans to organise logistical assistance for those returning, from transport to support during the initial stages of adaptation. The issue will be discussed in detail on the Platform for Ukrainians Abroad.

What difficulties have Ukrainians encountered in Poland?

Many Ukrainians in Poland have found themselves in a difficult situation due to changes in local legislation. The new rules restrict access to social benefits for foreigners, including Ukrainians, and affect key family support programmes.

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Which programmes are affected

There are three popular initiatives:

‘800+’ — monthly payments to parents for raising children;

‘Good Start’ — one-time assistance for school preparation;

‘Active Parents’ — support for those who combine work and childcare.

New conditions for receiving payments

Now, the main criteria for foreigners will be official employment and legal residence in Poland. This means that:

▪️ only those who are officially employed and pay contributions to ZUS will be eligible for assistance;

▪️ an exception is made for parents of children with disabilities — if they have the relevant certificates;

▪️ children attending Polish schools will also be taken into account.

If the payments are canceled, families where parents have not yet found permanent work or are in the process of legalizing their status will be particularly vulnerable. In such situations, it is especially important to have qualified legal assistance, which can be easily obtained by contacting the migration lawyers at Visit Ukraine. Our specialists will help you with paperwork, extending your legal stay, and protecting your rights abroad.

Reminder! Poland is preparing for important changes in the social support system for Ukrainians. Soon, the application process will become fully digital, which will improve control and transparency of payments. Learn more about the new electronic system, which will be launched in 2026.

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