The Sejm of Poland has adopted a bill that would provide assistance to Ukrainian refugees under slightly updated rules. The amendments provide for the extension of legal stay and access to social services.
The Sejm of Poland has adopted a draft law on providing assistance to Ukrainian refugees under slightly updated rules. The changes include an extension of legal stay and access to social services.
On Wednesday, May 15, the Polish parliament voted in favor of legislative changes that simplify the lives of Ukrainians who were forced to leave their country because of the war. 381 MPs voted in favor of the initiative, 19 voted against, and 20 abstained.
New rules of assistance to Ukrainian refugees in Poland
The draft law provides for the extension of the legal stay of Ukrainians in Poland until September 30, 2025. It also links social support payments to compulsory schooling for refugee children starting next year.
The amendments that have been adopted include a four-month extension of the deadline for applying for the right to practice medical professions. They also take into account graduates from countries that have terminated international agreements on the mutual recognition of educational documents, as happened with Belarus.
Please note! The law also includes changes allowing students to participate in free additional Polish language classes for 36 months. This applies to students who started their studies in the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 academic years.
The initiative also introduces new rules for confirming the identity of Ukrainians applying for a PESEL number, requiring them to present a valid travel document. PESEL is an eleven-digit numerical symbol that identifies a person.
Starting from July 1, 2024, funding of assistance in the form of accommodation and food for refugees from Ukraine will be possible only on the basis of a signed agreement with the relevant voivode. The rules for co-payment of accommodation and food costs in mass accommodation centers are also being changed.
- It also provides for the termination of payments related to the compensation of accommodation and food costs incurred by owners of private homes. As of July 1, funding for one-time cash assistance will also be discontinued.
- The draft law was developed by the Polish Ministry of Internal Affairs in cooperation with other ministries and the Prime Minister's Office. Most provisions of the law will come into force on July 1, 2024.
Warsaw aims to help Ukraine
The official emphasized the importance of bilateral support, noting that Poland will continue to provide humanitarian and military assistance to Ukraine. He expressed his gratitude to the NGOs and all those who contributed to the aid, recognizing their extraordinary role in this historic mission.
"This is our pragmatic approach - it is the defense of Poland, it is the strengthening of NATO's eastern flank. The more victories Ukraine has, the safer Poland will be, and this is part of our security strategy,- the Defense Minister emphasized.
Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysh emphasized that Polish support is unequivocal and will continue as long as Ukraine needs help in its struggle for sovereignty. He also noted that Ukraine's successes on the battlefield contribute to strengthening the security of not only Poland, but the entire European region.
Poland's position on Patriot. Polish President Andrzej Duda has stated that Poland cannot transfer the Patriot air defense system to Ukraine, as it is just beginning to receive these systems. Poland, which was one of the first countries to provide military assistance to Ukraine, considers the Patriot system necessary for its own defense.
Warsaw's support for Ukraine. President Duda also emphasized the significant value of the equipment that Poland has already provided to Ukraine and the continuation of military support. He also noted Warsaw's active lobbying for additional support for Ukraine among its allies.
So, as we can see, Ukrainian citizens can count on temporary protection, social benefits, support in obtaining a document and obtaining a PESEL and assigning a PESEL number.
