Grażyna Ignaczak-Bandych, the head of the Chancellery of the President of the Republic of Poland informed the public that the President Andrzej Duda signed the law on helping Ukrainian citizens in connection with an armed conflict in the territory of their country. The special act regulates issues related to the legality of the stay of Ukrainian refugees in Poland, as well as the assistance to be provided to them.
The new regulations are to enter into force on the day they are published in the Journal of Laws and will, as a rule, apply retroactively from February 24, 2022.
The law guarantees the legality of stay for Ukrainian citizens, as well as for their spouses who do not have Ukrainian citizenship, who entered Poland from Ukraine from the beginning of the Russian invasion. The stay of Ukrainian refugees in Poland will be considered legal for 18 months. The stay of children born in Poland by Ukrainian women who escaped from the war will also be legal.
Under the special act, refugees from Ukraine will be able to receive a PESEL number and set up a Trusted Profile. Refugees will also be able to work in Poland and gain access to healthcare. Pupils and students will be able to continue their education in Polish schools and universities. Refugees from Ukraine will also be entitled to financial assistance. Pursuant to the act, they will receive PLN 300 per person.
The regulation will also enable the payment of benefits to those who will provide food and accommodation for Ukrainian citizens. The money will be paid out for a maximum of 60 days, but in justified cases this period may be extended. Pursuant to the special act, a specific reserve will be created in the budget, and a special Aid Fund will be established at National Economy Bank. The law also tightens the penalties for crimes related to trafficking human beings and pimping committed during the war in Ukraine.
Most of the provisions of the act do not apply to Ukrainians who resided legally in Poland before the war. However, the terms of validity of their national visas and temporary residence permits that would have expired during the war, will be extended under the war until the end of the year.
Since February 24, the day of the beginning of Russia’s aggression, over 1.7 million refugees from Ukraine have crossed the Polish-Ukrainian border.
Arkadiusz Słomczyński