The 2026/2027 School Year: What Changes for Ukrainian Pupils from 1 September

The new school year will bring significant changes for Ukrainian children in Poland. From 1 September 2026, the special transitional provisions introduced following the start of the full-scale invasion will expire. The 2025/2026 school year was the last in which Ukrainian pupils studied under separate, preferential rules. From the new school year, they transition to the general education system for foreign nationals, which applies in Poland to all pupils from abroad.

Legal Basis for the Changes

The Act of 23 January 2026 on the expiration of certain provisions of the Act on assistance to Ukrainian nationals was signed by Polish President Karol Nawrocki on 19 February 2026. The Regulation of the Minister of Education of 26 February 2026 (Journal of Laws of 2026, item 245) clarified which provisions remain in force until 31 August and which will take effect from 1 September.

What Expires from 1 September

From the new school year, the provisions introduced specifically for Ukrainian pupils cease to apply:

• simplified procedures for school admission and class placement;
• increased limits on overtime hours for teachers, introduced during the crisis period;
• simplified rules on classification and grading, which operated as transitional measures after 2022;
• exemption from the requirement for official confirmation of Polish language proficiency for certain categories of support staff.

What Remains in Place

The transition to general rules does not mean the withdrawal of support. For pupils from Ukraine who do not know Polish or whose level of Polish is insufficient for learning, the following remains available:

• Free additional Polish language classes - a minimum of 2 hours per week (total period: 24 months).
• Preparatory class (oddział przygotowawczy) - the school may organise such a class for children who need more time to adapt. The learning process is structured to account for the language barrier and the pupil's level of knowledge.
• Remedial classes (zajęcia wyrównawcze) - to support pupils in catching up on individual subjects, for a period of up to 12 months.
• The right to education is guaranteed - free state schooling remains available to all children from Ukraine regardless of their residence status.

The "Friendly School" Programme Continues

In the 2026/2027 school year, the government programme "Przyjazna szkoła" (Friendly School) will continue to operate. It is aimed at equalising children's educational opportunities and supporting integration within school communities. Under the programme, schools may receive funding for:

• employing assistants to support pupils during the adaptation process;
• upskilling teachers and staff working with pupils who have a migration background;
• initiatives to create a friendly and integrated school environment.

General Changes in Polish Schools

From 1 September 2026, Polish schools are introducing several further changes that affect all pupils - both Polish and foreign:

• Health education becomes a compulsory subject - a new subject, "Edukacja zdrowotna" (Health Education), is being introduced in primary and secondary schools. It covers physical and mental health, nutrition and safety.
• The Sejm has passed a law prohibiting the use of smartphones and other electronic devices in schools during lessons, including activities taking place off school premises.
• New school catering requirements - schools are required to revise their canteen menus in line with new balanced nutrition standards.

Advice from Gremi Personal

Tip 1: Do not delay enrolling your child in school Places at popular schools fill up quickly. If your child is not yet enrolled - contact the local municipality (gmina) or school as soon as possible. Enrolment is also a requirement for retaining the right to the 800+ benefit.

Tip 2: Check how much time remains on free language lessons If your child has already been attending additional Polish language classes - ask the school how many months remain before the 24-month limit is reached. This will help you plan for the continued development of language skills.

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