Poland’s Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed on 29 August that work is underway on new legislation to regulate the legal status of Ukrainian citizens following President Karol Nawrocki’s veto of an amendment that would have extended temporary protection.

Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Maciej Duszczyk met with Ukrainian Ambassador Vasyl Bodnar on 29 August at the Ukrainian side’s initiative, according to ministry spokesperson Karolina Gałecka.

“The minister informed the Ambassador that the Polish side is working on a bill to regulate the legal situation of Ukrainian citizens. He also presented the Ukrainian side with a schedule of work on the bill,” Gałecka told PAP.

The meeting followed Ambassador Bodnar’s Facebook post stating that “the rights of Ukrainians to stay, work, education, social assistance and medical care in Poland will be guaranteed also after 1 October 2025.”

Bodnar emphasized that Polish officials assured him “the rights of Ukrainian citizens to stay, work, education, social assistance and medical care will be guaranteed also after 1 October 2025,” though some practical issues would require clarification.

The ambassador said that legal uncertainty surrounding Ukrainian lives in Poland had generated significant response in both countries. He added that “Ukrainian citizens who legally reside in Poland will still remain within the legal framework of this state and the entire EU. Even in the case of no new law, transitional solutions will be adopted that will allow avoiding a legal vacuum.”

However, the Polish ministry spokesperson cautioned that “what the legal situation of Ukrainian citizens will look like after 1 October, we will know after the decision of President Karol Nawrocki,” according to PAP.

Presidential veto triggers legislative scramble

President Nawrocki vetoed the amendment to Ukraine assistance law on 25 August. The blocked amendment would have extended temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees until 4 March 2026.

Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that blocking the legislation could have destructive consequences for Polish companies, reports PAP.

The stakes are considerable for Poland’s economy. According to TVN24, Ukrainian citizens living in Poland contributed approximately 18.7 billion zloty to the Polish budget in 2024 through taxes and insurance contributions. Their presence also boosted Poland’s GDP by over 2% – nearly 99 billion zloty.

Despite the economic impact, polling conducted for Onet portal showed majority Polish support for Nawrocki’s veto decision.

Ukrainian presence in Poland by numbers

As of February, the Office for Foreigners reported nearly 1 million Ukrainian citizens, predominantly women and children, using temporary protection in Poland. A total of 1.55 million Ukrainians held valid residence permits.

Ukrainians represent the largest foreign population in Poland, comprising 78% of all foreigners who have settled in the country, according to official data.