Nawrocki signs new law extending legal stay for Ukrainians in Poland until March 2026

According to him, Nawrocki signed three laws, including the one recently passed by parliament on assistance to Ukrainians.

Bogucki added that the Polish president will not sign any further laws on assistance to Ukrainian citizens.

"We must move to normal rules regarding Ukrainian citizens. The government has six months to complete this task. The president is sending a clear signal today – an end to preferences and special conditions. These issues must be resolved based on the general rules that apply to everyone," he said.

According to Bogucki, the new law lists specific benefits that Ukrainians who do not work in Poland will no longer be entitled to. These include rehabilitation, drug treatment programs, healthcare programs, the purchase of prescription medicines, and many other benefits.

He noted that the law is "not perfect," while the president's proposal offers better solutions that "seal the system even more tightly."

The head of the Polish president's office added that on Monday, two legislative proposals will be submitted to the speaker of the Sejm. One of them concerns "extending the period after which foreigners, including Ukrainians, will be able to apply for Polish citizenship."

New law on assistance to Ukrainians in Poland

On September 13, the Polish Sejm passed a law regulating payments to Ukrainians in Poland and extending their legal status until March 2026.

The document was developed after President Karol Nawrocki vetoed amendments to the so-called 800+ assistance law for Ukrainians.

The new act stipulates that the right to receive payments will depend on several conditions. In particular, assistance will be retained for those who are officially employed or whose children attend Polish schools. An exception has been made for people with disabilities.

In addition, to qualify for payments, foreigners must earn at least 50% of the minimum wage in Poland.

Polish authorities will check monthly whether the recipient is employed. If a Ukrainian is not working, the 800+ payment will be stopped for that person. The fact of a possible departure outside Poland will also be taken into account.

The law also introduces changes in the healthcare field. For adult Ukrainian citizens, access to several medical services is restricted, including rehabilitation, dental treatment, and certain types of medication therapy.

A separate provision extends the legal status of Ukrainians residing in Poland until March 4, 2026, which corresponds to the duration of the EU Council's decision.

Previously, the existing regulations guaranteed temporary protection only until the end of September 2025. After that date, there would have been problems with legal employment and residence, but the new law allows these issues to be avoided.