Poland Slashes Housing Access for Ukrainians in Collective Centers

New Restrictions for Ukrainians in Poland Take Effect July 1, 2026

According to Radiotrek — Світ: Starting July 1, 2026, Poland will enforce sweeping new limits on Ukrainians, most notably a drastic reduction in the right to reside in collective accommodation centers. This marks another step in the country's tightening of access to group housing for Ukrainian citizens. A legislative amendment phasing out support for Ukrainians will also come into force on that date.

Restrictions Already in Place Since 2025

Since 2025, Ukrainians in Poland have faced certain curbs. Unemployed individuals, for instance, no longer qualify for free healthcare. The 800 Plus child benefit is now tied to parents' employment status and children's enrollment in the Polish education system. Ukrainian nationals with UKR status can only receive medical treatment if they have health insurance-meaning they must be employed, run a business, or be registered as unemployed.

Above all, members of so-called vulnerable groups will lose their right to free housing. These include:

• Ukrainian women and their children over the age of one;
• Senior citizens receiving Polish pensions, even if those pensions amount to just a few hundred or even a few dozen zlotys.

Those who will retain the right to stay in such facilities are:

• Pregnant women;
• Women with children under one year old;
• People with disabilities;
• Pensioners who do not receive a Polish pension and have no relatives in Poland.

These new restrictions could profoundly affect Ukrainians living in Poland, particularly those in vulnerable demographics. Reduced social benefits and limited healthcare access may heighten social tensions and increase reliance on support from non-governmental organizations. With many Ukrainians remaining in Poland due to the ongoing conflict in their homeland, these changes pose fresh challenges for integration and social welfare provision.