Poland Ends Special Ukrainian Refugee Programme as EU Support Framework Shifts

Poland Ends Special Ukrainian Refugee Programme as EU Support Framework Shifts

2026-02-20 dutchnews

Warsaw, 20 February 2026
Polish President Karol Nawrocki has terminated the emergency assistance law for Ukrainian refugees, moving them into general immigration frameworks after nearly three years of special provisions. This policy shift comes as Dutch municipalities struggle with overcrowded shelters and some Ukrainian families resist relocation, highlighting growing tensions across the EU as temporary protection measures face uncertainty beyond March 2027.

On Thursday, 20 February 2026, Polish President Karol Nawrocki signed legislation terminating the 2022 special assistance law that had provided streamlined support to Ukrainian citizens arriving after Russia’s full-scale invasion [1]. The move integrates key provisions of the special law into Poland’s general legislation on protection for foreigners, ending what Nawrocki described as the ‘stage of unconditional privileges’ [1]. This legislative shift affects how Ukrainian refugees access residence permits, employment rights, social benefits, and education services, transitioning them from emergency assistance frameworks to standardised immigration procedures [1]. Nawrocki emphasised that whilst Poland continues to stand with Ukraine ‘in its fight against imperial Russia,’ the country had ‘passed the test of solidarity like no other country’ during the initial months of the conflict [1].

Dutch Municipalities Face Capacity Pressures

The Polish policy change occurs as Dutch reception centres experience severe capacity constraints, with municipalities struggling to accommodate ongoing arrivals from Ukraine. In Fryslân alone, approximately 25 people arrive from Ukraine daily, yet emergency shelter facilities are operating at full capacity [4]. The Hajé-hotel hub in Heerenveen can accommodate only 75 people for a maximum of three days, whilst daily requests vary between 10 and 40 depending on conditions in Ukraine [4]. Across the Netherlands, all 97,000 municipal reception places are currently occupied [4], forcing some municipalities to consider alternatives such as purchasing residential properties for shelter use [4]. Heerenveen Mayor Avine Fokkens warned that without adequate throughput, some families resort to sleeping in cars, describing the situation as ‘heel schrijnend’ (very distressing) [4].

Resistance to Relocation Creates Local Tensions

Individual cases of resistance to relocation highlight the complex human dimensions of refugee accommodation policies. Ukrainian refugee Iryna Stanislavchuk and her son Eduard are refusing to leave their shelter at the Linge Hotel in Elst, which is closing on 20 February 2026 [2][6]. Stanislavchuk filed an objection to relocation on 30 December 2025, citing Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, arguing that forced relocation would violate their established family life [2]. The municipality of Overbetuwe is relocating 45 of the hotel’s 49 residents to temporary accommodation in Oosterhout, with four residents assigned to Zetten [2][6]. Location managers informed Stanislavchuk on 18 February that police intervention would occur if she did not leave voluntarily by 19 February, with the municipality prepared to initiate urgent legal proceedings [2]. ‘We kunnen deze vier jaar integratie in Elst niet zomaar wissen’ (We cannot simply erase these four years of integration in Elst), Stanislavchuk stated [2].

Long-term Integration Challenges Across the EU

Successful integration stories demonstrate both the potential and fragility of refugee accommodation systems. In Alphen aan den Rijn, Ukrainian refugee Maryna has been building a new life since March 2022, working at Zeeman whilst her children attend Dutch schools and participate in online Ukrainian lessons [3]. However, her municipality faces the same pressures affecting other Dutch regions, with several reception locations scheduled to close in the near future, requiring authorities to identify new temporary housing solutions [3]. The European Temporary Protection Directive expires in March 2027, creating uncertainty about long-term legal frameworks [4][8]. Currently, only three EU member states—the Netherlands, Czechia, and Poland—have developed clear pathways for Ukrainian refugees beyond the directive’s expiration, leaving 24 of 27 member states without established legal procedures [8]. The Dutch government has created a ‘transition document’ valid for three years after TPD revocation, allowing health insurance access, reduced study fees, and employment rights without permits [8]. Meanwhile, humanitarian conditions in Ukraine continue deteriorating, with the Red Cross reporting that millions face extreme cold due to constant power and gas outages, creating what the organisation describes as a humanitarian catastrophe [5].

Bronnen


Ukrainian refugees EU policy