In Poland, amendments were made to the law on assistance to Ukrainians fleeing the war. Learn more about the "freezing" of social security payments in case of departure of Ukrainian citizens from Poland, tariffs for accommodation in accommodation facilities, and more

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Poland approved changes to the law on assistance to Ukrainians fleeing the war. The amendments, in particular, provide for the "freezing" of social benefits in case of departure of Ukrainian citizens from Poland and payment of accommodation in refugee accommodation facilities.

What does "freezing" of social security payments mean when leaving Poland?

If a Ukrainian leaves Poland every time, the social assistance paid by communes (administrative unit of Poland) or ZUS will be suspended.

Attention! If the stay outside Poland exceeds 30 days, the citizen of Ukraine will completely lose the right to social assistance and the corresponding status.

How to restore social status and benefits in case of loss?

Social status can be restored if a Ukrainian flees from the war in Ukraine again as a result of hostilities on the territory of the country.

Pay attention! In October 2022, 80,000 Ukrainians on the territory of Poland lost the right to receive cash payments from the state. Read about how not to lose your right to financial assistance here.

Payment for accommodation in places of collective accommodation in Poland

As we reported earlier, from February 1, 2023, Ukrainians staying in Poland will have to cover the cost of their accommodation.

According to the new changes, citizens of Ukraine who live in such places for more than 120 days will be forced to pay 50% of their own maintenance costs from March 2023, but no more than 40 zlotys per day (about UAH 300).

From May next year, Ukrainians will have to cover 75% of living costs, but no more than 60 zlotys per day (500 UAH).

At the same time, the obligation to pay will not apply to: people with disabilities, children, pregnant women, people of retirement age and people who take care of at least three children.

What other amendments were made by the Sejm of Poland regarding Ukrainian refugees?

The adopted document also provides for the allocation of 2 billion zlotys (17 billion UAH) from the Aid Fund in 2023 for education for Ukrainians in Poland.

In addition, the changes in the law provide for the recognition in Poland of the electronic document available at Diia.pl (equivalent to the Polish mobywatel document) as a document for legal stay in the Republic of Poland for Ukrainian refugees.

Thus, this document, together with a travel document, will give a citizen of Ukraine the right to cross the border multiple times without the need to obtain a visa.

Obtaining a temporary residence permit in Poland

The Polish authorities also removed from the special law the provision on the simplified procedure for obtaining a permit for temporary residence in Poland (up to three years). However, the special law guarantees a legal stay in Poland for refugees from the war in Ukraine for 1.5 years, starting from February 24 of this year and ending on August 24, 2023.

Attention! From April 1, 2023, Ukrainians will be able to apply for a temporary residence permit in Poland if they have found employment or opened their own business here.

In particular, refugees from Ukraine will now have only 30 days (before it was 90) to obtain a Polish identification code (PESEL).

The new changes are expected to take effect on January 1 next year. Read more about the new rules for staying in Poland from January 2023 at the link.


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