Poland may be exempt from accepting migrants for another year: what is known

Poland may receive an exemption from contributions under the EU migration solidarity mechanism for another year. Reasons include the acceptance of Ukrainians with temporary protection and pressure at the border with Belarus. This is reported by TVN24 citing unofficial sources in the European Commission.

The European Commission plans to publish a relevant report on November 4. It will assess the migration situation and serve as a basis for determining state obligations for the next year. Final agreements will depend on the decisions of EU countries.

Why Poland may receive an exemption from accepting migrants in 2027

According to TVN24's correspondent in Brussels, the evaluation criteria have not changed. Last year, the European Commission recognized Poland as a country with a complex migration situation, which allowed Warsaw to seek a full exemption from contributions for 2026.

Among the main arguments were the large number of people who left Ukraine due to the war, and the situation at the Polish-Belarusian border. In December 2025, the Council of the EU confirmed Poland's exemption from the relocation mechanism and related costs.

The issue also concerns other countries in the region: there are reports of migration pressure from Belarus by Poland's neighbors as well. However, the circumstances of each country are assessed separately, and the exemption is not indefinite.

How the EU migration solidarity mechanism works

The rules of the EU migration pact began to be applied on June 12, 2026. The solidarity mechanism involves supporting states that face the greatest burden due to the arrival of asylum seekers.

Countries can choose the form of participation:

• accepting people through relocation from other EU states;
• financial contributions;
• alternative assistance, including personnel, equipment, or technical resources.

An amount of about 20,000 euros is used as a reference for financial participation instead of relocating one person. This is not a penalty for refusing a specific applicant for asylum. Similarly, an exemption from contributions does not mean the cancellation of the entire migration pact for Poland.

Currently, the continuation of the exemption remains an expected decision reported by media sources. It also does not automatically determine the conditions for the stay of Ukrainians: the issuance of the CUKR card and other grounds for residence are regulated by separate procedures.