Polish Senate adopts law to extend assistance to Ukrainian refugees

Ukrinform has reported.

According to the amendments, the deadline for submitting documents for the temporary performance of the profession of doctor, dentist, nurse and midwife has been extended to four months. The amendments to the law, adopted in March 2022, also provide for the provision of social assistance to Ukrainian families under the 800+ (monthly child benefit of PLN 800) and Good Start (one-time benefit of PLN 300) programs, provided that a preschool child attends school in Poland.

"The Polish government explains this innovation by the fact that Poland is the only country with a hybrid education system for Ukrainian children (about 200,000 Ukrainian children study in Polish schools, while the rest are enrolled in the Ukrainian distance education system)," the statement said.

At the same time, thanks to the law, Ukrainians will be able to change their residence status in Poland: from the current temporary protection to a temporary residence permit of up to three years.

To do this, you need to update your information in the PESEL UKR database (Polish identification system, UKR - intended for Ukrainians), submit a relevant application electronically to the voivode at your place of residence. It is also necessary to comply with the requirement to have PESEL UKR as of 4 March 2024.

According to the law, a new rule will be established to confirm the identity of a Ukrainian citizen applying for a PESEL number. The only way to confirm this will be to present a valid travel document of a Ukrainian citizen.

At the same time, the law will cancel the one-time social assistance (PLN 300) for war refugees who left Ukraine, as well as monetary compensation for private property owners who provided accommodation and meals to war refugees.

After approval by the Polish Sejm and Senate, the law must be signed by the president, and the document should enter into force by 1 July 2024.

• On March 29, it was reported that Poland plans to grant refugees from Ukraine with the status of UKR the right to obtain temporary residence permits (temporary residence cards).