Poland’s Health Ministry has no plans for additional regulations regarding medical care for Ukrainian citizens, despite appeals from NGOs regarding expiring aid.
Impact of Expiring Special Law for Ukrainians
Dozens of organizations, including the Homo Faber Association, the Polish Migration Forum, and the Union of Ukrainians in Poland, have appealed to several ministries regarding the consequences of a law phasing out aid for Ukrainians.
The appeals stem from concerns about the effects of a law that came into effect on March 5th, regulating support for Ukrainians in Poland following the Russian invasion.
Vulnerable Groups Face Systemic Gaps
Petitioners highlighted the creation of “systemic gaps” for vulnerable individuals – the elderly, the seriously ill, caregivers, and families unable to achieve self-sufficiency quickly – as a result of the changes.
They argue the changes lead to situations where individuals are left without any health or social support.
Call for Inter-Ministerial Action
Organizations urged the Ministries of Interior and Administration, Health, and Family, Labor and Social Policy, along with the Ministry of Finance, to re-evaluate the impact of the new regulations.
They requested coordinated action involving the National Health Fund and the Social Insurance Institution to address the situation and mitigate harmful effects.
Concerns Over Continued Treatment Access
The groups emphasized the urgent need for transitional solutions to ensure uninterrupted access to treatment, particularly life-saving care like oncology, even outside of hospitalization, while insurance status is being determined.
They also called for clarification and standardization of health insurance eligibility for elderly individuals receiving foreign benefits, including unified guidelines for NFZ branches and medical facilities regarding verification of entitlements.
Health Ministry Response
The Ministry of Health stated it has no plans to prepare additional regulations regarding temporary protection.
The Ministry also indicated it is unaware of any such plans within the Ministries of Family, Labor and Social Policy or Interior and Administration.
Legal Framework and Analogies to Polish Citizens
The Ministry emphasized that the current legal situation is as close as possible to the principles applicable to Polish citizens.
It also noted that the situation of beneficiaries who have lost their right to treatment is analogous to that of uninsured Polish citizens.
Requests for Information Pending
PAP requested information from the Ministries of Interior and Administration and Family, Labor and Social Policy regarding potential work to supplement the regulations governing the situation of individuals from Ukraine, but had not received a response as of publication.
Legislative Changes and Timeline
The law of January 23, 2026, phasing out solutions resulting from the law on assistance to Ukrainian citizens in connection with the armed conflict in that country, and amending certain other acts, was signed by President Karol Nawrocki on February 19th.
Most of the provisions came into effect on March 5th, gradually phasing out special regulations for Ukrainian refugees while maintaining temporary protection until March 4, 2027.
Transition from Special Law to Common Protection System
The “aid law” (special law) in effect since 2022 created a separate legal system simplifying the rules for residence, work, benefits, and education for Ukrainian war refugees.
The new law terminates this system, replacing it with a common system of temporary protection for all foreigners.
