Information on Act on Aid to Ukrainian Citizens, updated on 15 March 2022

On 12 March 2022 the Act on Aid to Ukrainian Citizens in connection with a military conflict in the territory of Ukraine was published in the Journal of Laws. The Act provides for several facilitations and forms of support for persons arriving to Poland from war-torn Ukraine, and for Polish citizens who assist the refugees. We present below the most important assumptions of the Act.

Legalisation of stay

Ukrainian citizens who have legally crossed the Polish border (i.e. have been registered as refugees by the Polish Border Guards) are to have a possibility of having their stay in the Republic of Poland legalised for 18 months counting from 24 February 2022. Similarly, a child born in the Republic of Poland of a mother who has the status of a refugee will be able to legally stay in Poland in the said period. Moreover, Ukrainian citizens legally staying in the Republic of Poland will be able to apply to a municipal office for being granted a Personal ID number [PESEL]. Importantly, the application may be submitted to any municipal office in the territory of Poland.

Access to labour market

Ukrainian citizens legally staying in the Republic of Poland will be able to be employed by Polish employers without the need to obtain work permits, which they have had to obtain so far. An employer who employs a Ukrainian citizen will only be obliged to notify a Poviat Labour Office of employment of such employee. Moreover, Ukrainian citizens who have obtained a Personal ID number [PESEL] will be able to register business activity in Poland.

Healthcare

Ukrainian citizens legally staying in Poland will have access to public healthcare. Furthermore, municipalities will be obliged to provide refugees with psychological counselling services free-of-charge. It will be easier for physicians, dentists and nurses from Ukraine to obtain consent to practice their professions in Poland.

Access to education

It will be possible for Ukrainian children and students to continue education in Polish schools and at Polish universities. Persons who used to work as academic teachers in Ukraine will be able to be employed by Polish universities without the obligation to hold a competition for such position. Schools may provide additional branches and groups intended for pupils from Ukraine. Studying Ukrainian citizens will be able to apply for social scholarships and student loans.

Social welfare

Ukrainian citizens legally staying in the Republic of Poland who have obtained a Personal ID number [PESEL] will be able to obtain from a municipal office a one-off pecuniary benefit of PLN 300 per person for basic needs. Moreover they will be able to apply for family and child benefits (including the so-called 500+ benefit) as well as social support benefits. Persons who meet criteria of the programme may also be granted food from the Fund for European Aid to the Most Deprived, and the disabled will be able to receive funds from the State Fund for the Rehabilitation of the Disabled.

Support for philanthropists

Polish citizens who will provide Ukrainian refugees with shelter at their own homes (i.e. will provide them with board and lodging) will be able to apply for a pecuniary benefit under a contract concluded with a municipality for up to 60 days. The maximum sum of the benefit is to be determined in regulations implementing the Act. Moreover, the Act provides for several tax law changes, i.a. the Act makes it possible to recognise donations to charities assisting Ukrainian refugees as tax deductibles.

The Act was published in the Journal of Laws and entered into force on 12 March 2022, however, pursuant to its contents, the majority of its regulations apply retroactively from 24 February 2022.