The funding will be made possible after Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz announced an expansion of "non-military defence preparations" to include agencies overseen by the interior and infrastructure ministries, state news agency PAP reported.
Interior Minister Marcin Kierwiński said the mechanism would serve as a "second pillar" of Poland's national security system, as the government moves to extend defence-related financing to police and other law enforcement services.
The move follows a March veto by President Karol Nawrocki of legislation implementing the EU-backed SAFE funding mechanism.
In response, the government adopted a resolution under the "Armed Poland" programme, authorising the defence and finance ministers to proceed with arrangements ensuring access to SAFE loans.
Kosiniak-Kamysz told reporters on Friday that the Arming Poland programme would be broadened to support the Border Guard, police, the State Protection Service (SOP) and strategic infrastructure projects, with funding to come from the defence budget starting next year.
"This guarantees us a security umbrella," he said, adding that detailed regulatory changes enabling the expansion would be ready later this month.
Kierwiński welcomed the decision, saying the funds would be used to upgrade equipment, including anti-drone systems interoperable with military capabilities, purchase helicopters for the Border Guard and strengthen external borders.
"SAFE complements the modernisation programme for uniformed services—it is the second pillar of building internal security," he said, adding that the government was pursuing a "record modernisation plan" worth nearly PLN 13 billion (EUR 3 billion, USD 3.5 billion).
The government representative for the SAFE programme, Magdalena Sobkowiak-Czarnecka said the veto had temporarily blocked access to EU funds for key services, but that the revised approach would restore financing without reducing support for the armed forces.
She said Poland would update its SAFE application, with the full allocation of around EUR 43.7 billion in low-interest loans directed to military needs, while additional funding streams would support internal security and infrastructure.
Infrastructure Minister Dariusz Klimczak said the revised framework ensures that major transport and logistics projects—seen as critical for national security—would also receive funding.
Finance Minister Andrzej Domański said the government recognises that national security extends beyond the military, encompassing investment in policing, border protection and infrastructure.
Before Nawrocki's veto, the interior ministry had planned 42 projects worth PLN 7.1 billion, including anti-drone systems, artificial intelligence tools for police work, upgraded patrol fleets and enhanced border surveillance capabilities, the PAP news agency reported.