Karol Nawrocki says only Ukrainians in work should receive child benefit payments in Poland
Poland’s president has vetoed legislation to prolong benefits received by Ukrainian refugees in Poland, following up on a campaign promise to tighten welfare payments amid a steady growth in anti-Ukrainian sentiment among Poles.
Karol Nawrocki, who took office earlier this month after winning an election in spring, said only Ukrainians in work should receive child benefit payments.
“We remain open to providing assistance to Ukrainian citizens – that hasn’t changed,” said Nawrocki in a statement. “But after three and a half years, our law should be amended.”
Nawrocki vetoed a bill that would have extended the current system of payments, due to expire in September, until March 2026. About 1 million refugees are believed to have settled in Poland since 2022, the majority of them women and children.
