Poland ends special legal status for Ukrainians

On March 5, 2026, Polish President Karol Nawrocki signed a law ending the special wartime protections for Ukrainian refugees, effectively repealing the 2022 âSpecial Act on Assistance to Citizens of Ukraine.8 This legislative change integrates Ukrainian refugees into Polandâs general Law on Foreigners and the EU temporary protection framework. Key implications include:

• Residence permits: Approximately 1 million Ukrainians must now apply for standard residence permits before the March 4, 2027 deadline to maintain legal status.
• Work authorization: While the right to work remains, the simplified hiring procedures are replaced with standard processes, requiring more documentation and longer processing times.
• Social benefits: Access to benefits like the 8800+8 child allowance is now more strictly tied to formal employment and payment of social insurance contributions.

The government argues that this shift aims to create legal equality between Ukrainian refugees and Polish citizens, addressing concerns about unconditional privileges and their impact on the labor market and state budget. However, this transition may pose challenges for many Ukrainians who have relied on the previous simplified procedures and benefits.