“Poland plans to change the rules for Ukrainian refugees to stay in the country. This is not only about extending temporary protection for refugees from Ukraine until March 4, 2025,” writes the publication “kresy.pl”.
The Polish government is considering tightening requirements for supporting refugees from Ukraine to prevent fraud with money and benefits, and under certain conditions, even canceling the right to stay in Poland.
One of the changes being considered by the Polish government will concern the right to legal residence in Poland. Ukrainian refugees who wish to return to Ukraine for even one day will lose this right. Currently, Ukrainian refugees lose their right to residence if they leave Poland for more than 30 days.
According to the Lubusz Voivode, the frequent trips of Ukrainian citizens for recreational, tourist and business purposes confirm that they are not in a difficult life situation, but continue to use the assistance provided to them.
In addition, the problem was noted that each voivodeship maintains a separate register of benefits paid. This means that theoretically one family can receive support from several administrative units of Poland. To prevent such abuse, a common register will be created.
The governors also call for strengthening the system of benefits for minors, the sick, and the disabled.
In addition, they may cancel the PLN 300 allowance for new arrivals.
According to official estimates, there are about one million Ukrainians in Poland who arrived after the war began, and another approximately one and a half million Ukrainians who were in the country before the war.
