A new publication by the national research institute contains recommendations – for national authorities, regional education authorities and schools – on supporting the integration of migrant children in the Polish education system. These recommendations cover 9 areas of integration, including support for children who have experienced stress or trauma, cooperation with parents, inclusive working conditions, conflict resolution in culturally diverse settings, and peer violence.
According to the report, the most important measures for the promotion of integration include hiring intercultural assistants; providing training for teachers working with children with migrant background (including how to address trauma in refugee children); support for teachers working in intercultural environments (including supervision, knowledge databases, and ready-to-use materials); and providing broader psychological support for migrant children in their native languages.
Public opinion on provision of support to people displaced from Ukraine
Recent research by the Centrum Badania Opinii Społecznej (CBOS) shows a divided public opinion in Poland on providing assistance to people displaced from Ukraine. According to the latest survey, 48% of respondents believe that Poland should welcome those displaced from Ukraine, while 46% are opposed. This represents the lowest level of support recorded over the 10 years CBOS has been tracking attitudes on this issue, beginning after the annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation.
This most recent survey was conducted between 27 November and 8 December 2025 on a representative sample of 948 respondents. The findings indicate that support is higher among residents of large cities, individuals with higher education, and those with higher incomes.
Guidelines for inclusive refugee support programmes
A new publication from Fundacja Ocalenie provides practical guidance on hosting refugees in private homes, outlining the full accommodation process from preparation and move-in to move-out. It focuses on supporting both hosts and refugees, with an emphasis on setting expectations, preventing and resolving conflicts and ensuring structured cohabitation.
A key feature is the development of a “Shared Living Pact”, which sets out household rules and the division of responsibilities. The guide also highlights the importance of ongoing professional support for both parties throughout the hosting period.
The publication was developed under the Erasmus+ project “Unity in Integration: Strengthening Accommodation Programs for Refugee Welcome Organizations”, led by the Rescue Foundation in cooperation with Refugees Welcome Italia and the Association for Integration and Migration (Czech Republic), within the Refugees Welcome International network.
Employment visa applicants in shortage occupations to be prioritised
The Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy prepared a draft regulation containing a list of 329 shortage occupations in sectors crucial to the Polish economy. It will be used by consulates when issuing visas and by province governors (voivodes) when issuing work permits. Applicants in these professions will be given priority when their applications are considered. The regulation is currently at the stage of public consultations.
The list covers a broad range of professions, including healthcare specialists, engineers, IT professionals, skilled technical workers such as plumbers, pipeline fitters and roofers, as well as public transport drivers, foreign language teachers and teaching assistants.
100 specialised prosecutors to tackle bias crimes against migrants
In February the Minister of Justice and Prosecutor General signed a regulation under which 50 prosecutors’ offices will be responsible for prosecuting crimes motivated by prejudice, including insults based on national or ethnic origin and acts of racism. In practice, around 100 prosecutors will be trained and specialized in dealing with these cases. The reason for this change is the growing number of such crimes, alongside a decline in the number of cases being brought before the courts.
In addition, the Ministry of Justice plans to publish a handbook for prosecutors and police officers on this issue and to launch special training programmes at the National School of Judiciary and Public Prosecution.
Poland spent over PLN 8 billion in 2025 on support for people displaced from Ukraine
According to the latest report by Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego, Poland spent over PLN 8 billion (around EUR 1.9 billion) from its Assistance Fund to support people displaced from Ukraine by the ongoing war. The bulk of the funds came from the Polish state budget.
The largest share of these funds was spent on children’s education: PLN 3.3 billion to support local authorities in carrying out additional educational activities, and PLN 25 million for scholarships, allowances and educational materials for students from Ukraine. The second-largest category, amounting to over PLN 2.4 billion, covered family benefits and various forms of financial support for raising children. 763.5 million was allocated to healthcare services and medicine, and nearly PLN 75.7 million to social assistance benefits.
Phasing out of special assistance for people displaced from Ukraine
In March 2026, Poland is gradually phasing out measures introduced under the 2022 Act on assistance to Ukrainian citizens in connection with the armed conflict. Legal stay for people displaced from Ukraine under temporary protection (PESEL UKR status) will be extended until 4 March 2027, alongside extensions of certain visas and residence documents.
Access to the labour market via simplified employer notification procedures will continue, with transitional arrangements for some groups until 4 March 2029, and other key support measures will be reduced. Education-related assistance for children, including language classes, transport, and additional support in schools, will end by the 2025/2026 school year. Access to free healthcare will also be restricted for many non-working beneficiaries, with exemptions for selected vulnerable groups. According to the Polish Migration Forum, the problem has affected primarily the elderly, the chronically ill, and patients undergoing life-saving treatment. Source: Apel organizacji pozarządowych dotyczący ustawy “wygaszającej” pomoc dla uchodźców z Ukrainy – Fundacja Polskie Forum Migracyjne
Changes to eligibility for facilitated employment rules
From 1 December 2025, citizens of Georgia were excluded from Poland’s simplified employment procedure based on an employer’s declaration of entrusting work to a foreigner registered with the local labour office. This change follows earlier restrictions applied to Russian citizens in October 2022.
As a result, the simplified scheme is now available to citizens of Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova and Armenia only, allowing employers to hire them under preferential administrative rules. Employment under this procedure may last for up to 24 months, after which a new declaration can be submitted for continued employment.
Over 1 million migrants employed in Poland in 2025
According to an experimental study by Statistics Poland, around 1.1 million third-country nationals (TCNs) were employed in Poland as of 31 August 2025. This corresponds to a 5.6% increase over 2 years and represents 6.7% of the total workforce, highlighting the growing role of migrant labour market integration in Poland’s economy.
Ukrainian nationals remain the largest migrant group (67%), followed by workers from Belarus, Georgia, India, Colombia, and the Philippines. Men account for 59.7%. The study also shows that 38.5% of migrant workers are employed under civil-law mandate contracts rather than standard employment contracts, which may affect job security and integration outcomes. The findings are based on administrative data sources.
