Polish Pension System Data Debunks Myths About Ukrainian Retirees' Burden

Pension Payments for Ukrainians in Poland

According to ХВИЛЯ: Recent data from Poland's Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) challenges widespread claims that Ukrainian pensioners place a heavy strain on the national budget. The official figures for 2025 reveal that subsidies provided to Ukrainians totaled a mere 1.3 million zloty. This amount represents an insignificant fraction-just 1/270,000th-of Poland's total pension expenditure. This context is important as public debate in Poland often focuses on the fiscal impact of migration.

Among Ukrainians receiving pensions in Poland, only 12,000 individuals qualified for payments last year. Of this group, just 1,100 required a top-up subsidy to reach the minimum pension level. In contrast, over 790,000 Ukrainian citizens were officially employed in Poland and actively contributing to the pension system through their payroll taxes. This demonstrates that the vast majority of Ukrainians in Poland are net contributors, not beneficiaries.

Stringent Eligibility Rules for Pension Payouts

The rules for receiving a Polish pension are notably strict. Applicants must have a total work history of 20 years for women and 25 years for men, combining experience from both Ukraine and Poland. Furthermore, they must reach the official retirement age and be legal residents of Poland. Payments are not made abroad without continuous residence in the country. Additionally, the high cost of living and rent in Poland far exceeds the value of the minimum pension supplement, making so-called 'pension tourism' financially impractical.

Consequently, the ZUS data confirms that pension payments to Ukrainians do not constitute a significant burden on the state budget, as most Ukrainians are employed and paying into the system.

This information could reshape the perception of Ukrainian migrant workers in Poland and alleviate societal tensions regarding their impact on the pension system.

Given that working Ukrainians are active contributors, this underscores their role in supporting Poland's economic development and their responsible participation in the social security framework.