A new stage in Poland’s phased rollback of wartime support for Ukrainian refugees took effect on 1 July 2026, eliminating state funding for most residents of collective accommodation centres. Mothers with children older than one year and pensioners who already receive a Polish pension now have to pay for their stay or move out; only people with disabilities, expectant mothers and elderly refugees without family in Poland retain the right to free lodging. The Interior Ministry says the change reflects the high employment rate among displaced Ukrainians – estimated at 68 % – and the need to allocate resources "to the most vulnerable groups". Around 11,000 Ukrainians currently live in 86 state-run centres; NGOs fear up to 40 % could be pushed into homelessness if local authorities do not step in. Ombudsman Marcin Wiącek has warned that women with small children are particularly at risk, calling for transitional rent subsidies. For employers that rely on Ukrainian talent the policy may increase staff turnover and create pressure to offer housing allowances.
![Poland tightens access to free collective accommodation for Ukrainian refugees]()
VisaHQ’s dedicated Poland portal (https://www.visahq.com/poland/) can help organizations and relocating families navigate this shifting landscape by offering up-to-date guidance on humanitarian visas, work permits and residency documentation, ensuring compliance as state benefits are scaled back.
Mobility managers should review relocation packages and verify whether assignees’ family members still qualify for centre-based accommodation. Companies sponsoring humanitarian visas must also ensure private housing is arranged before arrival. The change is part of the February 2026 law that gradually aligns refugee assistance with Poland’s general Foreigners Act by March 2027. While access to the labour market and social security numbers (PESEL UKR) remains unchanged, the message from Warsaw is clear: emergency measures are winding down and long-term integration will depend on labour income, not state shelter.
VisaHQ’s dedicated Poland portal (https://www.visahq.com/poland/) can help organizations and relocating families navigate this shifting landscape by offering up-to-date guidance on humanitarian visas, work permits and residency documentation, ensuring compliance as state benefits are scaled back.
Mobility managers should review relocation packages and verify whether assignees’ family members still qualify for centre-based accommodation. Companies sponsoring humanitarian visas must also ensure private housing is arranged before arrival. The change is part of the February 2026 law that gradually aligns refugee assistance with Poland’s general Foreigners Act by March 2027. While access to the labour market and social security numbers (PESEL UKR) remains unchanged, the message from Warsaw is clear: emergency measures are winding down and long-term integration will depend on labour income, not state shelter.
