What changes for Ukrainians in Poland starting Feb. 2026
Meeting in Warsaw marking Ukraine’s Unity Day, Jan. 22, 2026 (Photo: Ambasada Ukrainy w Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej via Facebook)
Starting in Feb. 2026, Poland will introduce a series of changes to residency rules and social assistance for nearly 1 million Ukrainians living in the country under temporary protection.
The New Voice of Ukraine outlines the key changes.
Reapplication required for the Family 800+ benefit
The first changes to the Family 800+ child benefit for Ukrainians under temporary protection took effect on June 1, 2025. From that date, families have been eligible for the monthly 800 zloty ($200) payment per child only if the child attends a Polish school or kindergarten in person. Previously, families could receive the benefit if a child studied online at a Ukrainian school.
Polish Radio reported that about 268,500 Ukrainian citizens currently receive the 800+ benefit.
On Jan. 31, Poland’s Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) suspended payments to Ukrainians under temporary protection. To continue receiving the benefit, about 150,000 Ukrainians must submit a new application for the 2025–26 benefit period starting Feb. 1.
To reapply, applicants must provide:
PESEL identification numbers for both the applicant and the child;
information on border crossings;
proof of legal residence in Poland;
confirmation of compliance with employment requirements;
a declaration that the child attends a Polish school or preschool.
The application will also include questions about whether the child has a disability.
ZUS said eligibility will generally depend on the applicant’s professional activity in the month preceding the application. This will be verified using insurance system data, and in most cases additional documents will not be required.
Eligible forms of professional activity include:
employment under a labor or civil-law contract;
running a business;
receiving a sports or doctoral scholarship;
receiving unemployment benefits or participating in training programs with stipends.
For employed applicants, pension and insurance contributions must amount to at least 50% of the minimum wage; for others, at least 30%. Poland’s minimum wage is 4,806 zloty (about $1,200). Parents of children with disabilities and applicants seeking benefits for children with Polish citizenship are exempt from this requirement.
ZUS spokeswoman Ewa Krysewicz said payments may be suspended if there are doubts about a person’s residence in Poland, the parents’ professional activity, or whether a child meets compulsory education requirements.
“We will regularly, every month, check whether these conditions are being met,” she said.
New temporary protection system for all foreigners
On March 23, Poland’s parliament approved amendments to the law on assistance to Ukrainian refugees that would gradually align their rights with those of other foreigners under temporary protection. The changes still require approval by the Senate and President Karol Nawrocki, which officials say is likely.
The Polish government said the special law adopted in March 2022 was an emergency response to the mass influx of refugees following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Nearly four years later, officials say the situation has stabilized, with most adult Ukrainians working and their children attending Polish schools.
In line with European Union recommendations, the government said the changes aim to introduce a uniform system for all foreigners under temporary protection while reducing state budget costs.
If adopted, the new system would take effect on March 5 and apply to all foreigners. Ukrainian refugees would be able to transition to temporary residence, permanent residence, or remain under temporary protection. Those holding PESEL UKR numbers would be transferred automatically to the new system.
New arrivals will be required to apply for PESEL UKR within 30 days of entering Poland. Failure to do so could result in denial of temporary protection.
Ukrainians who obtained PESEL UKR based solely on a declaration will be required to verify their identity at a municipal office. Those who fail to do so will lose temporary protection after Aug. 31, 2026.
Housing, food, clothing, and targeted assistance will be provided only to foreigners staying in Poland for humanitarian reasons or under residence permits.
The Diia.pl digital document, refugee access to the mObywatel app, and simplified rules for employment and business activity will remain in force after the amendments take effect.
The changes also limit access to free health care for uninsured migrants. They will receive medical services on the same terms as uninsured Polish citizens, with exceptions for children, pregnant women, victims of violence, wounded soldiers, and emergency cases.
Until the end of the 2025–26 school year, Ukrainian children will continue to have access to additional Polish-language classes and preparatory programs, while simplified hiring rules for teachers and intercultural assistants will remain in place. A full transition to standard rules is planned for the following school year.
Children older than one year, single guardians caring for three or more children, and temporary guardians will be allowed to stay in collective accommodation centers until June 30, 2026. After that date, residents will be required to secure housing independently.
Collective accommodation is divided into short-term stays, lasting up to 60 days and no more than 12 months from the start of the war, and long-term stays. Long-term accommodation is reserved for vulnerable groups, including the elderly, people with disabilities, pregnant women, caregivers of infants under 12 months, foster institutions, and patients recovering after hospitalization.
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