Poland has been exempted from the EU’s solidarity pool for receiving migrants, a decision backed by Brussels after the country cited high eastern border costs and war‑displaced Ukrainians.
EU States Seeking Exemption
Besides Poland, Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, and Estonia have also requested removal from the EU’s solidarity pool, arguing that high border‑management costs prevent them from absorbing more refugees.
Poland’s Cost Arguments
Poland cited the expensive security arrangements along its eastern frontier with Belarus and the strain of hosting war‑displaced Ukrainians as reasons for its exemption request, which Brussels accepted.
Solidarity Pool Payment Rules
The solidarity pool stipulates that countries either accept migrants from states struggling with refugee flows or pay €20,000 for each unaccepted individual, a rule that guided the decision for Poland.

