On Tuesday 20 February 2024, the President – despite his earlier assurances – signed an amendment to the Act on Aid to Ukrainian Citizens in Connection with the Armed Conflict on the Territory of Ukraine. Among other things, the amendment provides for an extension of the legal stay of Ukrainian war refugees until 30 June this year. In fact, the authorities do not distinguish between refugees and immigrants, so that any Ukrainian citizens will have their legal stay in Poland by virtue of law extended.
Simultaneously, their entitlement to social benefits will also be extended, including 800+, a one-off childbirth benefit (‘becikowe’), parental benefits (‘kosiniakowe’) and many others. The six-month extension of the legal stay of Ukrainian citizens in Poland will burden the state budget to the amount of PLN 6.22 billion. In other words, Poland will pay more than one billion PLN per month to Ukrainians.