From July 1, 2026, new rules for providing assistance to Ukrainians under temporary protection came into effect in Poland. Some refugees will no longer have the right to free accommodation in collective housing centers, but certain exemptions remain in place for specific categories. This is reported by InPoland citing the Polish Ministry of Interior and Administration.
Assistance to Ukrainians in Poland: who lost the right to free housing from July 1
From now on, state funding for accommodation in collective housing centers (OZZ) will be terminated for most mothers with children over one year old, as well as for elderly Ukrainians who are already receiving a Polish pension, even if it is at a minimal amount.
According to the Polish Ministry of Interior, nearly 11,000 people lived in such centers before the beginning of July, with about half of them being children.
At the same time, the right to free accommodation is preserved for:
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people with disabilities;
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pregnant women;
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pensioners who do not receive a Polish pension and have no family support in Poland.
The ministry explained the changes by stating that a significant number of Ukrainians have already found employment and can afford to pay for housing independently.
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New rules for Ukrainians in Poland: what risks do human rights defenders see
Charitable organizations and heads of accommodation centers warn that the new measures may have a serious impact on the most vulnerable categories of Ukrainians.
According to their estimates, the changes may affect about 40% of current residents of the centers, primarily mothers who are raising children alone.
The Polish human rights commissioner also drew the government's attention to the risk of an increase in the number of people who may end up without housing following the reduction of state support.
At the same time, the Polish Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy stated that complex cases would be considered on an individual basis. In addition, the government is already preparing amendments to legislation that are expected to guarantee children the ability to continue living in collective housing centers without additional costs.
Meanwhile, in Poland, a collection of charitable funds is ongoing to support Ukrainians who have found themselves in difficult life circumstances or require expensive medical treatment after the changes.
It is noteworthy that Polish workers are among the most burdened in the European Union. In 2025, the average length of the work week in the country was 38 hours, significantly exceeding the average across the EU.