Polish government approves bill to help Ukrainians in response to Navrotsky's veto
Minister of the Interior of Poland Marcin Kierwinski (photo - screenshot from the video of the press conference)

On Tuesday, September 9, the Polish government approved draft law about the support of Ukrainian citizens, reported minister of the Interior Marcin Kerwinski.

For his in words the draft law adopted by the Council of Ministers today is "an obvious response to the President's unjustified and unreasonable veto Karol Navrotsky the decision was made two weeks ago to extend temporary protection for Ukrainians in Poland."

Read also
"It will affect the most vulnerable". Which Ukrainians may be deprived of assistance in Poland

According to the minister, the government is trying to "correct the mistakes made as a result of the veto as soon as possible and protect Poles from a giant show and potentially huge financial consequences."

"If this proposal that we are presenting today is not adopted, we can expect that the costs that will be borne by the administration [...] will amount to up to 8 billion zlotys," he added.

Kervinsky noted that the adopted bill contains two main proposals.

"The first issue is a comprehensive regulation of the issue of payments for all foreigners staying here in Poland [...] with decisions on all payments to foreigners legally staying in Poland, regardless of their nationality," the minister said.

According to him, the law regulates the issue of payments: 800+, Good Start, and Active Parents.

"Receiving payments will depend on the person's professional activity in Poland. The exception is for those who are raising children with disabilities, provided they provide a certificate from Polish institutions. Everything will be based on data on the payment of contributions to ZUS (Social Insurance Institution – Ed.). We are improving and strengthening control in this area," said Kerwinski.

The second "pillar" Kervinsky called the extension of the legal stay of military refugees from Ukraine until March 4, 2026, including access to the labor market, education and higher education. He clarified that this, among other things, would allow for continued legal employment.

The minister also emphasized that the proposed rules include provisions stating that "benefits can only be granted to persons with a PESEL number" and regulating "local border traffic".

The draft law will be "submitted to the Sejm" in the near future, Kerwinski said. He expressed hope that after the law is passed, the president will sign it.

  • august 25, 2025, President of Poland Karol Nawrocki vetoed the law on assistance to citizens of Ukraine, which, in particular, provides for the extension of the period of legal stay until March 2026. Many provisions, including the 800+ payments, are in question.
  • Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that "will not quarrel" with the President over the issue of paying the 800+ allowance only to those Ukrainian citizens who are working. He emphasized that it was the government that initiated the changes in the payment system.