Amendments to the Act on Assistance to Citizens of Ukraine 2025. What is changing?

Contents:

• The Act on Assistance to Ukrainian Citizens – What Has Changed?
• Amendment to the Act on Assistance to Citizens of Ukraine and the 800+ Benefit
• Using free healthcare
• The Act on Assistance to Ukrainian Citizens and Polish Citizenship

The Act on Assistance to Ukrainian Citizens – What Has Changed?

The decision to amend the law on assistance to Ukrainian citizens extends the provisions on the legality of refugee stay until March 4, 2026. What will happen next? As announced by Zbigniew Bogucki, the President of the Republic of Poland does not plan to sign another law on assistance to refugees. The head of the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland justified this decision at a press conference: "We must transition to normal conditions, meaning treating Ukrainian citizens residing in the territory of the Republic of Poland in the same way as all other foreigners. (...) because today there are no grounds and no reasons to continue such actions."

Amendment to the Act on Assistance to Citizens of Ukraine and the 800+ Benefit

The amendment to the Act on Assistance to Ukrainian Citizens also includes changes to the granting of the 800+ benefit. From now on, it will only be provided to children studying in Polish institutions whose legal guardians are employed in Poland and receive at least 50% of the minimum wage. To receive the benefit, both the guardian and the child will need a PESEL number. Foreigners registered with the Labor Office as unemployed have a limited right to the benefit. In such cases, they are entitled to the benefit for three months, or six months if they have three or more children, provided that other conditions are met, including permanent residence in Poland and the children's attendance at compulsory school.

Using free healthcare

The Act on Assistance to Ukrainian Citizens also limits the right to free healthcare for foreigners not employed in Poland. Until now, every refugee had the right to free healthcare services on the same terms as Polish citizens – excluding spa treatment and spa rehabilitation. Under the new law, refugees not covered by health insurance (for example, based on employment in Poland) will not be eligible for reimbursement for medications, free dental treatment, transplants, endoprosthetics, or cataract removal . This does not apply to persons under 18 years of age.

The Act on Assistance to Ukrainian Citizens and Polish Citizenship

How does the new law affect the legality of refugees' stay in Poland? Ukrainians under temporary protection can exercise their full rights until March 4, 2026. It's worth noting, however, that a law is being drafted that would extend the minimum period of uninterrupted residence in Poland required to submit an application for recognition as a Polish citizen from three to 10 years . The bill still needs to undergo public consultation, so it's not certain that the law will come into force. Those wishing to apply for Polish citizenship for Ukrainians in the near future should, however, keep these plans in mind.

Summary

The amendment to the Act on Assistance to Ukrainian Citizens of September 26, 2025, introduces significant changes regarding the legality of residence, social benefits, and access to healthcare for refugees and other foreigners residing in Poland. Key regulations include extending temporary protection until March 4, 2026 , changing the rules for granting the 800+ benefit—now linked to employment and children's education in Polish schools—and limiting the right to free healthcare. At the same time, there are plans to extend the period of uninterrupted residence required to obtain Polish citizenship . This means that Poland is gradually striving to equalize the status of Ukrainians with other foreigners, while introducing more restrictive conditions for accessing state assistance.

How will the Act on Assistance to Ukrainian Citizens affect those applying for Polish citizenship? It all depends on the specific situation. For more information, contact us – comprehensive services for foreigners and the legalization of residence and work are our specialty. We will advise you on the best procedures to use to obtain Polish citizenship, how to write an application and gather the required documents, and if necessary, we will assist you in appealing a negative decision.

Also check out our post: Polish citizenship for Ukrainians – how to obtain it?