Poland to restrict admission of Ukrainian refugees to collective accommodation centers on Nov 1

MOSCOW. July 18 (Interfax) - Poland will stop the admission of all categories of Ukrainian refugees to collective accommodation centers on November 1, 2025, and only protected groups, such as pensioners, pregnant women and disabled persons, will remain there, Ukrainian media said, citing the Radio Poland website.

The Polish government made the decision on July 16.

Masovian Voivodeship spokesperson Joanna Bachanek said that every Ukrainian had the right to free accommodation in a shelter for 120 days since entering Poland, which is followed by the "financial co-participation period." Over half of center occupants have started co-financing their stay and catering.

About 3,000 people are staying at such centers in the voivodeship, while there are only 1,000 vacancies. Starting on November 1, the centers will be admitting no one but elderly people, pregnant women and disabled people.

The Together towards Independence program will be launched for the other refugees, which envisages apartment rentals and Polish language courses for Ukrainians.