The Polish government is drafting legislation that would tie child benefit payments to parents’ employment and tax contributions, a move that could significantly limit access for Ukrainian refugees, according to Euractiv.
The proposed changes, expected to be unveiled before the upcoming general election, come amid growing political debate over welfare spending on non-citizens.
Poland’s popular “Family 800+” programme, which provides 800 złoty (€192) per month per child, has become a key issue in the presidential race. The benefit, introduced to support Polish families, has also been accessible to Ukrainian refugees—the largest foreign group in Poland—sparking calls for stricter eligibility rules.
Rafał Trzaskowski, Warsaw’s mayor and a leading presidential candidate, has advocated for limiting the benefit to Ukrainians who officially reside and pay taxes in Poland. At a January campaign rally, he warned against repeating what he called Western Europe’s “mistake” of allowing immigration primarily for welfare benefits, referencing policies in Germany and Sweden.
A February Pollster Institute survey for Super Express found that 54% of Poles support restricting the benefit to tax-paying Ukrainian residents. The government appears to be aligning with this sentiment, with the Interior Ministry reportedly preparing amendments to Ukraine-specific aid laws.
The draft law is expected to undergo interministerial review and public consultation in April, ahead of the election. If implemented, the changes could mark a significant shift in Poland’s welfare approach, balancing support for families with stricter controls on foreign access.
