Minister criticises President's veto: “By the end of September, the legal basis for their stay in Poland, science, work – everything”

In fresh hours the president Karol Nawrocki vetoed a bill extending assistance to refugees from Ukraine. The decision was met with a broad consequence – both critical and factual.

1 of the first public reactions was the comment of the Minister for Integration Katarzyna Pełczyńska-Nałęcz:

"And at the end of the day: do you know the consequences of president Nawrocki's veto on support for refugees from Ukraine? This is not just a 800+ issue. At the end of September, the legal basis for their stay in Poland, science, work – everything ends.Logic indeed worthy of a statesman: let us take support from the children who fled us from the Russian murders. Throw them all back under Russian bombs – let them die. And all this in the name of truly Christian conventional values.”

Although the comment has caused large emotion, it is worth looking at the situation through the prism of legal facts and intentions accompanying the President's decisions. The case concerns not only social assistance, but besides the foundations of the state's migration and integration policy.

What's the veto about?

Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the veto law was intended to prolong the provisions which let citizens of this country to stay legally in Poland, access to education, employment and social benefits. According to the current speciality, any of these solutions expire on September 30, 2025.

The President's veto means that the proposed extension of these provisions does not enter into force in its present form. It will so be essential to draw up a fresh law or amendment to avoid a legal gap.

The president does not say "no" to aid – he says "let's see if it works"

Since the beginning of the war, Poland has accepted millions of refugees. This aid was not accidental – it was an expression of solidarity for which Poland was repeatedly praised internationally. But all long-term policy – if it is to be effective – requires good preparation, a clear framework and a long-term strategy.

From the information coming from the president's surroundings, his decision was not directed against refugees or aid in itself. The veto was intended to signal the request for better refinement and clarification of the principles of further support.

An Expert Voice: What truly Stops Working?

In the context of many concerns, she spoke Monika Olszewska, owner of MRM Consulting and associate of the Legislative squad at SPiR SWOJAK. On LinkedIn, she published a detailed explanation:

"VETO president is not only 800+ exclusively for working citizens of Ukraine!!! What will be left after the peculiar from 01.10.2025? We explain and we knock:
Not all provisions are limited to 30.09.2025 and those that do not have them will proceed to apply!”

"There will so be a problem with the legal residence of persons who:
arrived in Poland after 24.02.2022 in connection with the war,
are resident on the basis of extended visas, permits or identity documents,
they benefit from the alleged recognised stay after the expiry of the Schengen stay or as part of the visa-free movement.’

"Of course, all these people will proceed to be covered by the time-saving protection the EU over Ukrainian citizens."

She besides stressed that any key provisions would proceed to operate:

"Article 22 of the peculiar Act does not have time limits – notifications of entrustment of work will proceed to operate. There are besides no time limits for obtaining temporary residence permits.’

“If the fresh rules do not enter into force by 30.09.2025, the period during which proceedings on the foreigner’s work to return may besides be suspended.”

"The suspension of time limits on temporary, permanent or resident residence permits continues to apply – the proceedings will continue."