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Polish president signs bill to tie benefits for foreigners to work

26.09.2025 21:30
Poland's president has signed legislation linking family benefits for legally resident foreigners to employment, while also extending the legal stay of Ukrainians in the country, his office announced on Friday.
Polish President Karol Nawrocki
Polish President Karol NawrockiPhoto: Mikołaj Bujak/KPRP

President Karol Nawrocki signed the proposemeasure into effect after it was voted through by both houses of parliament, state news agency PAP reported.

The law makes payouts from government programmes contingent on employment and, in the case of children, school attendance in Poland.

Caregivers of children with disabilities are exempt from the work requirement.

The new rules apply to three major social assistance programmes: the Family 800-plus monthly child benefit, the Good Start back-to-school allowance and the Active Parent parental benefit.

Under the law, the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) will check employment status monthly and verify beneficiaries’ presence in Poland through Border Guard records.

Eligibility is limited to people holding a PESEL, the national identification number.

The law also narrows some healthcare entitlements for adult Ukrainians, including selected rehabilitation, dental care and medicine programs, while maintaining core coverage.

At the same time, it preserves access to Poland’s labour market, schools and universities for Ukrainians with EU temporary protection status.

The law follows Nawrocki’s veto last month of an earlier bill on temporary protection for Ukrainians.

(gs)

Source: IAR, PAP