Katarzyna Lipińska

The President vetoed the bill

Since February 2022, approximately one million refugees from Ukraine have arrived in Poland.

The rules governing their stay are set out in EU regulations and a special Polish law.

Last Monday (25 August 2025), the President vetoed the government’s amendment to this act, disagreeing with the model for granting social benefits. However, the disputed act also concerned other issues, in particular the legalisation of the stay and employment of Ukrainian citizens. As a result of the presidential veto, the simplified rules will only apply until 30 September 2025, although this was not the President’s intention.

What are the actual consequences?

The Ministry of the Interior and Administration points out that the presidential veto may result in the sudden loss of legal employment for thousands of workers from Ukraine. It also estimates the losses at around PLN 8 billion. The calculations presented seem somewhat exaggerated. However, it will certainly become more difficult to legalise the stay and work of Ukrainian citizens if the regulations in force before the outbreak of the war return on 1 October 2025.

Furthermore, EU regulations cannot be forgotten. The basic principles and duration of temporary protection are set out in a directive and a framework decision. The case law of the Court of Justice has long recognised the direct effect of such acts. Consequently, the lack of an appropriate law significantly hinders the functioning of labour markets, but does not exclude the possibility of invoking internationally established principles.

Instead of panic – a plan

The Council of Ministers has announced that it will begin work on a new draft law, while the President has already exercised his legislative initiative. Both the government and the President agree that the special law should be extended until 4 March 2026. This means that the dispute does not concern the issue of legalising residence and work.

Although the veto caused strong emotions, the further course of events is predictable. The key provisions extending the validity of the special act until 4 March 2026 are likely to be adopted. However, important decisions will probably be made at the next session of the Sejm, scheduled for 9-12 September 2025.