KE: assistance to Ukrainians must be provided, but its scope is determined by the states

According to the directive on temporary protection, assistance to Ukrainians must be provided, but the level of social and family benefits is determined by the member states, stated the spokesperson for the European Commission Markus Lammert on Tuesday.

President Karol Nawrocki vetoed the amendment to the law on assistance to Ukrainian citizens on Monday, which proposed extending the temporary protection regulated by the EU directive. Nawrocki wants, among other things, that access to healthcare for Ukrainians be conditional on paying health insurance contributions. The president announced his own legislative initiative.

The EC spokesperson reminded that member states decided in July to extend temporary protection for Ukrainians in the EU until March 2027 – In this way, the EU strengthens its unwavering commitment to support Ukraine for as long as necessary, he said.

The mechanism guaranteeing support for those seeking assistance in the EU was first activated for Ukrainians after the full-scale Russian invasion in February 2022. About 4 million Ukrainians are benefiting from it across the Union. Temporary protection for Ukrainians is regularly extended by member states.

The amendment vetoed by the president was intended to introduce the EU provision into Polish law. Nawrocki also justified his decision by stating that the 800 plus benefit should only be received by those Ukrainians who work in Poland.

– Essentially, according to the directive, if beneficiaries (of temporary protection) do not have sufficient means themselves, member states must provide them with necessary assistance in terms of social care, medical care, and means of subsistence, emphasized the EC spokesperson. – However, the directive on temporary protection does not specify an amount or a minimum threshold for social assistance. Its amount remains at the discretion of the member states, said Lammert.

The EC spokesperson also reminded that the EU also allocates EU funds to assist Ukrainians. – Even before the summer, we announced a decision to allocate 3 billion euros to member states hosting Ukrainian refugees, he reported.

Temporary protection guarantees individuals covered by it the right to reside in all EU member states, as well as access to the labor market and housing, medical assistance, social assistance, and access to education for children. (26.08.2025)