In Poland, part of Ukrainians under temporary protection lost automated access to free medical care after legislative changes. The new rules have already sparked a wave of criticism and demands to revise the decision. This is reported by inPoland.
Medical assistance for Ukrainians in Poland: what has changed after the new regulations
As of March 5, 2026, the PESEL number alone with UKR status no longer guarantees the right to free treatment. Now, to access medical services, insurance is necessary.
Main changes:
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Access to medicine is possible only with insurance;
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Insurance can be obtained through employment or voluntary contributions;
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Certain categories can arrange access through other legal grounds.
The National Health Fund explains that the new rules are as close as possible to the conditions for Polish citizens.
Free treatment for Ukrainians in Poland: why criticism arose
Public organizations claim that the innovations have hit vulnerable groups the hardest.
In particular:
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pensioners;
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people with chronic and severe illnesses;
Among the initiators of the appeal are the Union of Ukrainians in Poland, Homo Faber, and the Polish Migration Forum Foundation. They emphasize that the lack of access to medicine creates direct risks to life, as many people cannot afford treatment on their own.
The consequences are already noticeable: medical institutions have started billing patients without insurance, and a significant portion of these payments remains unpaid.
At the same time, Polish authorities explain that the changes are necessary to reduce the financial burden on the healthcare system, as the costs of treating refugees in recent years have reached billions of zlotys.
Public organizations are calling for a compromise solution that will restore access to medicine for the most vulnerable categories.
The background of the situation is that previously Ukrainians with UKR status had an automatic right to free treatment without additional conditions. The new rules changed this approach, making the system more dependent on insurance status.
Comment from employment expert Vitalii Serhiievych Belenets:
«These changes are directly related to the labor market. Ukrainians who work officially automatically receive access to insurance and, therefore, to medicine. The problem arises for those who have lost their jobs or cannot get employed - they end up without basic protection.»
Earlier we wrote, how to stay in Poland after the end of temporary protection on March 4, 2026.