#Alert: Special act on help for Ukraine – entry from Slovakia will not deprive from right to stay in Poland

The Polish special act on help for Ukrainian citizens does not protect all persons who fled Ukraine because of the war. Citizens of Ukraine who entered Poland from the territory of a country other than Ukraine (e.g. from Slovakia) are a large group that is not covered by the act. This is about to change.

Today, a committee of Polish Parliament started work on the first amendment to the special act. The bill is to be limited to removing the word “directly” from the act. This seemingly small change will be of great importance for people who did not enter Poland from the territory of Ukraine.

By changing the regulations, persons who escaped to Poland by a route other than through Polish-Ukrainian border will be covered by the protection of the Polish special act. This means not only the right to stay in Poland until 24 August 2023, but also e.g. wider access to social benefits offered by the special act.

Currently, before the amendment to the law, people who first fled to e.g. Moldova and then entered the territory of the European Union, are not covered by the Polish special act. They can use the EU temporary protection mechanism, which is less favourable than the special act.

According to plans, work on the amendment by the Parliament is to end on Wednesday of 23 March. This means that the changes can enter into force quickly. According to the government’s declaration, further amendments to the special act are also possible. The amendments will be worked upon identifying practical problems in application of the regulation.