Poland wants to abolish special status for Ukrainian refugees: what does this mean for displaced persons?

The Polish authorities are preparing major changes to the rules governing the stay of Ukrainians, which may alter the usual procedure for accessing healthcare, social benefits and legalisation. The special status that has been in effect since the beginning of the war is gradually becoming a thing of the past, and general migration requirements are taking its place. Find out how the possible abolition of special status will affect the lives of Ukrainian migrants in Poland and what steps will help them adapt to the new conditions

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The Polish government is preparing changes that could significantly affect the legal status of Ukrainian refugees. These changes involve the termination of the special status introduced after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The relevant bill has already been drafted and could be adopted by the end of 2025.

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What is known about the bill

According to the Polish publication Interia, citing Polish Interior Ministry spokeswoman Karolina Halecka, the document was drafted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Deputy Interior Minister Czesław Mroczek is responsible for preparing the new provisions.

The bill provides for the termination of the law on assistance to Ukrainians who arrived in Poland after 24 February 2022. If the changes come into force, from 4 March 2026, Ukrainian citizens in Poland will be treated on the same basis as other foreigners.

How access to healthcare and social benefits will change

The Polish Ministry of Internal Affairs emphasises that Ukrainians will retain the right to emergency medical care. However, in order to receive other medical services, they will need to have official employment and pay insurance contributions — according to the same rules that apply to foreign citizens.

A similar approach is planned for social assistance. In particular, to receive the popular 800+ programme (a monthly payment of 800 zlotys per child), parents will need to work and pay contributions to the social insurance system.

Why Poland is taking such steps

According to Karolina Halecka, Ukrainians have become largely integrated into Polish society in recent years. Many have found work, and their children attend kindergartens and schools. It is this factor, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, that was the key argument for preparing the bill.

In addition, the extension of special status for Ukrainians, as noted by the ministry, could create a risk of unequal treatment compared to other migrants who live and work in Poland under general conditions.

Despite plans to abolish special status, the Polish authorities emphasise that Ukrainians will not be left without legal protection. Even if the bill is passed, Ukrainian citizens will be able to legally stay in Poland until at least 4 March 2027 — already with the status of other foreigners.

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What this means for Ukrainians in Poland

In fact, the changes mean a transition from an emergency humanitarian regime to a standard migration model. For Ukrainians, this will increase the importance of formal employment, paying taxes and insurance contributions, as well as the need to take care of their legal status and access to medical and social services in advance.

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Reminder! Poland is gradually changing its approach to legalising the stay of foreigners, focusing on digital services and clear legal mechanisms. For Ukrainians, this means new opportunities to obtain a residence permit without queues and unnecessary bureaucracy, but at the same time, new requirements and nuances that are important to consider in advance. Learn more about the conditions for obtaining a CUKR card and submitting documents through the MOS 2.0 system.

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