Ukrainian labor migrants can expect automatic extensions of their work visas and permits due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This was stated in the anti-crisis package for the Polish economy amounting to 212 billion PLN (over 45 billion euros), presented by President Andrzej Duda and Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

“In one of the points of the economic assistance package, it is mentioned that visas and work permits for workers from Ukraine will be automatically extended,” the announcement stated.

Overall, the anti-crisis package in Poland will consist of five main blocks: protection of jobs, support for the healthcare system, safety of the financial system, support for entrepreneurship, and development of public sector investments.

In particular, entrepreneurs who experience a significant drop in income due to the COVID-19 pandemic will have 40% of their employees’ wages covered by the state, up to the level of the average salary, with the remaining 40% to be covered by the employer. Additionally, individuals working under commission contracts and contracts for services can expect to receive assistance from the government in the amount of 80% of the minimum subsistence level.

In case of an extension of the closure of kindergartens and schools, parents who stay home with young children (up to 8 years old) will receive social assistance for up to 14 days.

The business support package includes credit guarantees, microloans, partial restoration of Sunday trading for retail establishments, and a temporary suspension of social contributions to the budget.

To support the healthcare system, 7.5 billion PLN (over 1.7 billion euros) will be allocated to provide hospitals and medical institutions with everything necessary to combat the coronavirus, as well as modernizing the entire medical system in the country.

In the financial sector, the Polish government plans to ensure the safety of bank deposits, the normal functioning of banks, and the banking payment system, while the Office for Competition and Consumer Protection will combat unjustified price increases.

The government will allocate 30 billion PLN (6.8 billion euros) to enhance investments in the public sector, including the construction of local roads, digitization, modernization of schools, and the country’s energy infrastructure.