On April 30, 2024, Poland extended temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees.

The decision was made by the Council of Ministers of Poland, PAP reports.

The adopted document provides for the extension of protection for Ukrainians until September 30, 2025.

At the same time, it also provides for further reduction of benefits and linking social benefits (800 PLN plus, Good Start) to the education of Ukrainian children in public educational institutions.

The Polish Government hopes that this decision will allow 80,000 new children to attend schools in the country starting in the new school year.

Another innovation in the draft law provides for the possibility of changing the status of citizens' stay in Poland: from the current temporary protection to a temporary stay of up to three years.

To do this, it is necessary to:

• update the data in the PESEL UKR database;
• submit a corresponding application in the electronic form to the voivode at the place of residence;
• meet the requirement of having PESEL UKR.

The document introduces a new rule for confirming the identity of a Ukrainian citizen who wants to obtain a PESEL number in Poland.

It also provides for the abolition of a one-time social assistance in Poland for Ukrainian military refugees in the amount of PLN 300 and monetary compensation to owners of private housing who provided them with accommodation and meals.

The bill must be approved by both houses of parliament and signed by the president, and enter into force by July 1, 2024.

Earlier, Apostrophe reported that children of refugees from Ukraine can enroll in free evening schools in five cities of Poland.