The Sejm passed a bill making the payment of the benefit 800 plus foreigners dependent on professional activity. 227 Members voted for the project, 194 opposed and 7 abstained.
Members rejected all amendments tabled by the opposition, including proposals from the Law and Justice on tightening penalties for illegal border crossing or extending the period of residence required to get citizenship from 3 to 10 years. They besides did not support the request of Claudia Jacira (KO) to associate 800 plus with the professional activity of Polish citizens.
New conditions for foreigners
The bill was created after president Karol Nawrocki did not sign an earlier amendment, motivating that only working Ukrainians should receive the benefit. The fresh regulations make the right to benefits dependent on professional activity and the education of children in the Polish school, with exceptions for people with disabilities.
Foreigners will gotta gain at least 50% of the minimum wage for work, which means PLN 2333 gross in 2025. ZUS will check professional activity all period - if the foreigner is not active in a given month, the benefit will be suspended.
Control and verification
The strategy introduces compulsory PESEL numbers for foreigners applying for benefits and their children. ZUS will besides verify in the registry of Border Guards whether a given foreigner has left Poland.
The fresh rules supply for the integration of databases of different institutions, which aims to monitor powers more effectively and to destruct attempts to cheat benefits. There will besides be restrictions on access to wellness care for adult Ukrainian citizens, including health, rehabilitation and dental treatment programmes.
Extension and next steps
The existing rules on the legality of the residence of Ukrainian citizens who fled the war are extended until 4 March 2026. The fresh solutions are to enter into force on the day following the publication in the authoritative diary of the Acts.
The bill will now go to the Senate, which will be able to make its own amendments or accept the draft unchanged.
Sources used: "PAP" Note: This article was edited with the aid of Artificial Intelligence.
