Background information

On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. As a result of Russian aggression, many Ukrainians fled to Poland.

On 28 January 2023, an amendment to the Special Act regarding Ukrainian refugees entered into force. As a result of the new law, refugees from Ukraine will have to pay part of their accommodation and food costs in collective shelters in Poland starting in March 2023.

Content of measure

From 1 March 2023, refugees whose stay in collective centres for more than 120 days will pay 50% of the cost of assistance. However, this will not exceed PLN 40 (€8.95) per person per day.

Furthermore, beginning on 1 May 2023, refugees whose stay in collective centres for more than 180 days will pay 75% of the costs, but no more than PLN 60 (€13.42) per person per day.

People with disabilities, people of pension-age, pregnant women and people caring for children under the age of one or caring for at least three children, among others, will not have to contribute to the costs of accommodation and food. In special cases, the provincial governor and other authorities may exempt people in difficult circumstances from paying the costs.

Use of measure

On the day the law went into effect, ca. 80,000 Ukrainian refugees were living in collective accommodation centers in various regions of Poland.

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Does not apply to workers	Does not apply to businesses	Migrants or refugees

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
National government	National funds Other

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Unknown	Unknown
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Unknown
• Main level of involvement: N/A

Involvement

Unknown.

Views and reactions

Unknown.

Sources

• 30 January 2023: Amendment to the law on assistance to Ukrainian citizens in connection with the armed conflict on the territory of this state (www.gov.pl)
• 25 February 2023: Amendment to the Act on Assistance to Citizens of Ukraine signed by the President (www.gov.pl)