Draft amendments to the Special Law on Assistance to Ukrainian Citizens in Poland: what the update entails

The draft amendments to the Special Act on Assistance to Ukrainian Citizens in Poland provide for the extension of temporary protection until March 4, 2026, new accommodation rules, clarification of the conditions for receiving 800+ assistance, and tighter control over residence. Learn about the key changes that may affect the lives of Ukrainians in Poland

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The Polish Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration has prepared draft amendments to the Special Act regulating the conditions of stay and support for Ukrainians in connection with the war.

The key objective is to adapt Polish legislation to the EU Council's decision to extend temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees until March 4, 2026.

The document appeared in the register of legislative works of the Council of Ministers on June 24, 2025. Below are the main provisions of the draft that may significantly affect the lives of Ukrainian citizens in Poland.

Extension of temporary protection until 2026

The draft amendments officially confirm that Ukrainian citizens who came to Poland because of the war will remain legally in the country until March 4, 2026. This means that Ukrainians will continue to have:

- the right to work legally without a permit,

- access to medical and social services,

- the opportunity to study.

Restrictions on short-term entry

The new draft law clearly states that the right to assistance will not apply to persons arriving in Poland for a short period, for example, within the framework of local border traffic.

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Strengthening registration and identification

IT systems will be updated:

- The Border Guard will record data from documents and fingerprints when crossing the border.

- PESEL numbers will only be assigned to children in person, regardless of age.

Changes in collective accommodation

Innovations are planned regarding living conditions:

The minimum number of people in a center will be at least 20.

The deadline for admission to such centers is October 31, 2025, with the exception of vulnerable groups.

The rules for eviction and the criteria for determining who belongs to vulnerable groups (people with disabilities, pregnant women, etc.) are being clarified.

Clarification of conditions for receiving 800+ assistance

The new rules will allow 800+ payments to be received for children who have completed secondary school before the age of 18 and are continuing their education at universities or vocational courses.

Strengthening control over residence permits

The draft amendments provide for:

- temporary residence permits will be issued only once,

- the list of grounds for revoking a permit has been expanded to include, in particular, the submission of false information, fictitious marriage, or forgery of documents.

Support for education for children from Ukraine

Financial support for local authorities will continue to be provided for additional tasks related to the education of Ukrainian children.

In schools where additional classes have been created for Ukrainians, teachers will be able to officially accrue additional hours (with their consent).

Simplified access to the profession for medical professionals from Ukraine

The draft provides for:

- continuation of the simplified procedure for doctors and dentists from Ukraine who studied outside the EU,

- the possibility for nurses and midwives to work on a temporary basis for up to three years until they complete their adaptation training in accordance with EU standards.

When will the project be adopted?

The Polish government is expected to consider the draft amendments to the Special Act in the third quarter of 2025.

The expected changes are aimed at harmonizing Polish laws with EU decisions, strengthening control and identification of refugees, and clarifying and narrowing the criteria for assistance, but also at providing support in important areas such as education, healthcare, and social adaptation.

For Ukrainians who remain in Poland, this is an opportunity to stay legally, work, educate their children, and receive assistance for almost two more years. At the same time, tighter checks and procedures require vigilance when submitting documents and complying with new requirements.

The Visit Ukraine lawyer`s team provides professional assistance in legalizing your stay in Poland, applying for a residence card, checking documents, and representing your interests in provincial offices. If you feel that the process is being delayed without explanation, do not hesitate to consult us.

We remind you! New rules for residence cards have already come into force in Poland. The law narrows the list of grounds for obtaining a residence card and restricts the circle of foreigners who can apply for one. Read our previous article to find out who is affected by the changes and who retains the right to legalize their stay.

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