President Karol Nawrocki announced an end to welfare support for non-working Ukrainians in Poland, and also signalled a tough stance on Banderism and changes to citizenship rules.
End of welfare for non-working Ukrainians
The President stressed that the 800+ child benefit should be paid only to those Ukrainians who have taken up work in Poland or run a business here. This means moving away from the solutions introduced after the outbreak of war, which allowed broad access to social assistance. – „Poland first, Poles first” – Nawrocki declared.
Example of the change: the 800+ benefit
- Previously eligible: all Ukrainian citizens staying legally in Poland
- After the changes: only persons working or running a business
- Some politicians repeatedly called for such a solution, but it was the presidential veto that finally paved the way for it
Signed and vetoed laws
In recent days the President considered eight laws, of which he signed five and vetoed three.
Signed laws:
- Two laws on the Teacher’s Charter (Karta nauczyciela)
- Law on the storage of natural fertilisers
- Law on the reimbursement of medicines and health care
- Amendment to banking law – enabling heirs to unlock „dormant deposits”
Vetoed bills:
- Amendment to the Fiscal Penal Code and the Tax Ordinance (reducing penalties for fiscal offences)
- Deregulation in the energy sector
- Amendment to the law on assistance for citizens of Ukraine
New citizen-law bill: tougher rules
President Nawrocki announced his own draft law on citizenship.
- Extending the period required to obtain citizenship from 3 to 10 years
- Penalty for illegally crossing the border raised to up to 5 years’ imprisonment
- Applies to all foreigners, not only Ukrainians
Stop Banderism
The President also announces firm action against Banderism:
- Equating Bandera symbols with Nazi and communist symbols in the Penal Code
- Amendments to the Act on the Institute of National Remembrance (IPN) concerning the crimes of the OUN–UPA
- Goal: eliminating Russian propaganda and building partnership-based Polish-Ukrainian relations founded on respect
Social rationale for the changes
The President referred to the shift in public mood and the state’s financial situation, driven by public debate. He recalled that Poles helped Ukrainians in need, but that social justice is now becoming the priority.
Comment from Prime Minister Donald Tusk
Unfortunately, Prime Minister Donald Tusk has not yet publicly commented on President Karol Nawrocki’s new proposals. Fortunately, his archived post on X (formerly Twitter) has survived, in which, still during the presidential campaign, he supported the idea of limiting the 800+ benefit for foreigners.
Key presidential decisions of 25 August 2025
| Law | Signed/Vetoed | Main changes or reasons |
|---|---|---|
| Teacher’s Charter | Signed | Abolition of “Czarnek hours” |
| Banking law | Signed | Inheritance deposits |
| Law on assistance to Ukraine | Veto | End of welfare for non-working people |
| Fiscal Penal Code | Veto | Opposition to lower penalties |
| Citizenship | President’s draft | 10 years, border penalty, stop Banderism |
Karol Nawrocki’s decisions signal a shift in policy towards foreigners and Ukrainians – work, responsibility and a clear opposition to extremism are becoming the priority. The President has backed reforms which, in his view, serve the Polish community and justice.
Komentarze