Poland reduces payments to refugees from Ukraine: who will lose benefits from 2025

Poland is preparing to introduce new conditions for refugees from Ukraine starting September 2025. The changes concern the processing of documents, receiving assistance, and places of residence. The main reason is the extension of temporary protection until March 2026, which requires alignment with European standards.

The most significant new condition concerns accommodation: from the end of October 2025, most refugees will not be able to stay in communal centers for free, with the exception of certain categories of individuals who receive assistance.

In addition, the Polish government plans to strengthen border control by collecting fingerprints from everyone crossing it and to cancel social benefits for crossing the border. There will also be a mandatory personal presence of children of any age during the registration of the PESEL number.

Expansion of the assistance program

The government also plans to expand the 800+ program to include young people over 18 who continue their studies at higher education institutions or vocational courses. It is also planned to extend payments for additional classes for Ukrainian schoolchildren and simplify conditions for medical workers who will work until March 2026.

New rules are expected to come into effect in August 2025, aiming to improve assistance for those who truly need it and to prevent abuse of the temporary protection system.

Poland is changing the conditions for refugees from Ukraine, primarily concerning accommodation, assistance, and border control. Additionally, the assistance program for youth and education and healthcare workers is being expanded to improve their stay in the country. Changes are anticipated in the near future to achieve more effective support and control of the refugee situation.