Poland continues to provide assistance to Ukrainian refugees until 2026, but warns that this is the last extension

The Polish president has signed a law on assistance to refugees from Ukraine for the last time. Find out what changes the government is planning, what the restrictions on benefits mean, and how Ukrainians can prepare for the new residence rules

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Polish President Karol Nawrocki announced that he had signed a law extending the legal stay of Ukrainian refugees until March 2026 — and did so “for the last time.” This was reported by Kresy.pl. The statement became one of Warsaw's most high-profile political positions on the future of Ukrainians who have been in Poland since the start of the full-scale war.

Nawrocki stressed that the Polish state must act responsibly and at the same time ensure the principle of equality for all national minorities. According to him, assistance to Ukrainians will continue until a specific date, but no further extension is planned. This means that over the next year, the government must develop a new model of policy towards migrants in order to avoid legal and social chaos.

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What changes is Poland planning: a course towards order and equal rules

The president stressed that Poland is in a “social phase” where society is ready for the introduction of clearer and more equal rules for all minorities. In the three years since the start of the full-scale war, the country has taken in millions of Ukrainians, and according to Navrotsky, the state must create conditions so that helping Ukrainians does not become a burden for Poles and does not undermine the principles of equality.

He also expressed hope that the government would develop solutions that would allow Ukrainians to live comfortably in Poland and at the same time would not cause systemic problems in March next year, when the extended term of the law is due to expire.

The statement effectively indicates that Poland is moving from the emergency decisions of 2022 to a more standard migration policy, where the status of Ukrainians will gradually approach the general rules for foreigners.

Tip: For those who frequently cross the border or plan to do so, it is important to always have valid medical insurance, as it is a mandatory requirement for staying in EU countries. You can easily purchase an insurance policy on Visit Ukraine, where the document is sent to your email immediately after payment.

We remind you! On November 3, new rules for traveling to Poland were introduced. Now all travelers must undergo biometric control. Read how the EES system works, who is affected by the changes, and how to avoid queues at the border.

Photo: KPRP/Mikołaj Bujak

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