Revised Eligibility for the 800+ Child Benefit
Starting February 1, 2026, Ukrainian citizens with UKR status in Poland will face new conditions to continue receiving the 800+ child benefit. To maintain payments, recipients must submit a fresh application and demonstrate active employment. This policy shift will impact approximately 150,000 people currently receiving the support. This change reflects Poland's ongoing adjustments to its substantial support programs for refugees from the war in Ukraine.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki signed the relevant law in September 2025. Payments will be suspended as of January 31, 2026. To requalify for the 2025/2026 benefit period, applicants must file a new declaration. Verification of their work activity will be conducted monthly using data from the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS).
Rules Extended to Other Non-EU Nationals
From June 1, 2026, similar rules will apply to citizens of other non-EU and non-EEA countries. These changes do not affect Polish citizens, EU and EEA nationals, or citizens of the United Kingdom. The law defines qualifying work activity to include:
- employment under a work or civil-law contract,
- running one's own business,
- receiving a sports or doctoral scholarship,
- receiving unemployment benefits or participating in training programs.
Benefit payments are contingent on meeting specific criteria: the child must attend a preschool or school in Poland, and both the child and applicant must reside in the country. For some types of employment, minimum thresholds for pension insurance contributions are set, ranging from 30% to 50% of the minimum wage. However, parents of children with disabilities and those applying for a benefit for a child who is a Polish citizen will be exempt from these minimum contribution requirements.
These legislative amendments are part of a broader Polish policy to structure social support for foreign residents. The new work requirement aims to encourage the integration of Ukrainian refugees into Polish society through active participation in the labor market. Given the large number of people affected, it is crucial for Ukrainian families to understand the new conditions and prepare the necessary documentation to continue receiving support.