The debate over the scale of support for Ukrainian citizens in Poland continues, and Ukrainians themselves are weighing in. A survey by Grupa Progres shows that only 25% of respondents expect to receive the “800+” child benefit, 54% do not have such expectations, and 21% had never heard of the program.
As of the end of March 2025, more than 4.25 million people fleeing Ukraine had been granted protection in the European Union (Eurostat data), 98.4% of them Ukrainian nationals. Germany admitted the most refugees (1,184,890 – 27.8%), followed by Poland (997,120 – 23.4%, down from over 1.5 million in 2022), and the Czech Republic (365,055 – 8.6%). Many Ukrainians enter the labor market upon arrival, including in Poland, where hundreds of thousands are legally employed, according to Statistics Poland (GUS).
On February 28, 2025, there were 1.057 million foreigners employed in Poland, 5.3% more than a year earlier. Ukrainians formed the largest group—708,900 people, up 2.7% year-on-year and 1% compared with January 2025. They represented 67% of all foreign workers in Poland, although their share fell slightly from 2024. A Deloitte report for UNHCR estimated that between 225,000 and 350,000 Ukrainians had taken up jobs, and 80% of refugee households were supported by employment (March 2024).
“High employment among Ukrainians in Poland reflects their desire for self-reliance and integration into the labor market. They want to work, they take responsibility, and they are committed to their jobs, especially when they have families to support. Our analysis shows that many work legally, put in more hours than other temporary employees, and actively participate in the labor market. Contrary to stereotypes, Ukrainians are not just waiting for benefits,” says Cezary Maciołek, president of Grupa Progres.
The Grupa Progres survey on social expectations among Ukrainians living and working in Poland confirms this trend. A majority—54%—do not expect the 800+ benefit, while only 25% expect to receive it and 21% have never heard of it. Data also shows that Ukrainians dedicate the most working hours among all nationalities employed temporarily in Poland. In the first half of 2025, they accounted for 67% of all temporary workers in the country. Women made up 66% of this group and men 34%. On average, Ukrainians worked 520 hours per person, compared with 315 hours for Poles and 480 hours for other foreigners.
At the same time, surveyed Ukrainians strongly indicated they want equal rights in the labor market. 66% believe foreigners should have the same rights as Polish citizens, 12% disagreed, and 22% were undecided.
“It’s no surprise that Ukrainians expect equal rights, since they work actively in Poland and pay taxes here. Their professional activity—often with overtime and strong commitment—shows they take employment seriously and want to participate fully in a system that offers stability and career growth. Equal rights become a natural expectation,” says Maciołek. He adds that migrants’ presence should not be viewed only through the lens of costs, but also their contribution to the economy. Regularly paid contributions, labor market activity, and GDP growth potential show that Ukrainian refugees are becoming a real support for Poland and its state budget.
According to a March 2025 report by Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK), in 2024 Poland paid out more than 2.8 billion PLN in 800+ benefits for 292,000 Ukrainian children. At the same time, 794,000 Ukrainians were paying social insurance contributions, with their total contribution to Poland’s budget estimated at 15.1 billion PLN. BGK stressed that the benefits drawn by refugees do not exceed their contributions to public finances.
“It is good that support for Ukrainians working in Poland is being discussed. Talking about equal rights and integration into the employment system is beneficial for both foreign workers and the Polish economy. It would be worthwhile to involve key stakeholders—Polish businesses and migrants themselves—in this dialogue. Broader discussions could lead to solutions that benefit all sides and ensure stable development of Poland’s labor market,” Maciołek concludes.
The Grupa Progres survey “Life of Ukrainians in Poland 2025” was carried out in July and August 2025 on a sample of 1,500 adult Ukrainian citizens living in Poland. The majority were women (61%), with men making up 39%. Most respondents (89%) reported having a source of income, either through employment in Poland or running their own business. The study was conducted using quantitative methods: an online survey (CAWI) and the DAR research method.
