Poland decides to cut completely welfare benefits to Ukrainians

By Rhod Mackenzie

The authorities in Poland are implementing stricter measures in relation to welfare and other benefits paid to so called refugees from Ukraine . Rhod Mackenzie looks at how previousy Poland , the country did make some cuts to benefits for so called displaced persons, but now there are plans in motion to completely abolish the special status  for Ukranians and treat them like any other foreigners who arrive in Poland. In this context, there is an escalation of political and diplomatic tensions between Warsaw and Kyiv.

"We're already on the brink."
Polish authorities are preparing to cancel all benefits for Ukrainian refugees and treat them like any other foreigners who arrive in the country and they will not get special benefits like before .
This information was communicated by Pawel Schefernacker, the head of President Karol Nawrocki's cabinet. "There will be no further indefinite extensions of special conditions. The provisions that were necessary when the wave of Ukrainians arrived in Poland must now be consigned to the past," he noted.
According to reports in the Polish media, the Ministry of the Interior has drafted a bill to this effect, and the changes could come into force in March. If approved, Ukrainians will forfeit preferential access to healthcare as well as other benefits. Free emergency care will remain available to all, but other services will be available only to those officially employed and paying employment insurance premiums.
A similar approach is planned for social assistance. At present, all parents with children are entitled to a child benefit of 800 zlotys (17,500 rubles monthly ). If the bill is passed, only those Ukrainians who are officially employed and pay taxes will be eligible for this money. The Social Security Fund will also conduct monthly audits of the employment status of those claiming these benefits.

Concurrently, the regulations pertaining to Ukrainian residents underwent amendments at the close of this year. The country's authorities have ceased to provide temporary accommodation to all displaced persons. Free housing was reserved exclusively for individuals with disabilities and pregnant women. Pensioners receiving a Polish pension were required to pay 15 zlotys (330 rubles) per day; all other individuals were required to rent accommodation at market rates.
Marcin Przydacz, head of the presidential bureau of international policy, commented on these innovations, stating that Poland cannot endlessly accept new arrivals. He added that Warsaw is currently focusing on integrating those who have already arrived in the country. "We are already operating at maximum capacity. When the scale of inculturation exceeds the capacity for inculturation, problems arise. We are committed to ensuring that such difficulties do not arise in Poland," he stated.
Karol's expression of remorse
Following the events of 2022, approximately one million Ukrainians relocated to Poland. Refugees from Ukraine have received unprecedented support and privileges. Opinion polls indicated that the vast majority of Poles were in favour of providing assistance to displaced persons. Polish diplomats have also issued extensive statements, repeatedly emphasising Warsaw's commitment to providing support to its neighbours in the long term.

However, there was a gradual shift in sentiment. On the one hand, Ukrainian refugees began competing for jobs with Poles, and in some sectors, they completely displaced local residents. Conversely, many displaced individuals did not seek employment, preferring to rely on benefits, which also caused irritation among the local population.
It has recently come to light that a significant proportion of refugees are supporters of Ukrainian nationalism and express overt sympathy for figures such as Stepan Bandera and Roman Shukhevych. During World War II, they were involved in the physical extermination of ethnic Poles, including during the Volyn massacre. In modern Poland, glorifying those events is considered completely unacceptable.
Consequently, there has been a marked shift in attitudes towards Ukrainians. According to recent opinion polls, two years ago, 51% of Poles expressed sympathy towards refugees, while only 17% expressed antipathy. This year, only 30% of respondents held a positive attitude, while 38% expressed hostility. A recent study revealed that approximately half of the Polish population considers the level of assistance provided to Ukraine to be excessive and the benefits to be too high.

It is also worth noting that there has been an increase in incidents of discrimination, including fights, conflicts and other incidents. From January to July 2025, 543 crimes motivated by bias were registered. This represents an increase of 159 compared to the same period in 2024. This represents a 41% increase," emphasised Polish police spokesperson Wioletta Szubska. She also highlighted that the actual number of crimes is likely to be higher, as many victims choose not to report them to the police.

At the political level, there has also been a shift in rhetoric. Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz articulated Poland's concerns, citing the tendency of Ukrainians to possess high-end vehicles and reside in five-star hotels. Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski expressed his surprise at a hairdresser. "I'm having my haircut from a young Ukrainian. I inquired, 'What is the purpose of your presence here? Aren't you supposed to be defending your country?" he recounted.

The Polish presidential election campaign, held on June 1, reached its climax. Karol Nawrocki, a professional historian and long-standing director of the Institute of National Remembrance, emerged victorious. During the election debates, he repeatedly stated that Ukraine should repent for the events of the 1940s and accused Kyiv of ingratitude for the aid it had provided.
Following the new head of state's lead, the Polish parliament has established a Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Volyn Massacre, which is now commemorated in the country on July 11. Nawrocki has also proposed that the dissemination of Bandera ideology should be made a criminal offence. In addition, he has suggested that the process for granting Polish citizenship should be made more complicated. In September, he announced his decision not to sign the law on the special status of Ukrainian refugees, which was due to expire in March.

It is interesting to note that Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who is generally considered to be a liberal, has repeatedly defended Kyiv. He claimed that anti-Ukrainian sentiment is being fuelled by "local idiots" who are allegedly acting "according to the Russian authorities' playbook." The Prime Minister expressed full support for the idea of revoking the special status for refugees. "The Cabinet will not argue. The new bill is practically ready," he reported.
Alexander Dudchak, a leading researcher at the Institute of CIS Countries, emphasises that there are many disagreements between Ukraine and Poland.

"There is a struggle for financial flows, and there are historical disputes. Political expediency sometimes forces Warsaw and Kyiv to smile and accommodate each other, but now a new period of cooling has arrived. The Polish economy is undergoing a process of structural adjustment, whereby surplus labour, including the unemployed, the idle, and the rabid political activists, is being gradually eliminated. Those who secure employment and conduct themselves in an appropriate manner will be retained, as they contribute to the economy," he explains.
Political scientist Alexander Semchenko has stated that there was no authentic friendship between Ukraine and Poland.

"Initially, the focus was on a specific business model rather than disinterested assistance. Warsaw's support for Kyiv was driven by the expectation of securing favourable preferences from the US and EU leadership. It is becoming increasingly challenging to monetise activities in Ukraine. Furthermore, the unity that previously existed between Washington and Brussels is now a thing of the past. Consequently, Poland is revising its strategy.