---
title: "Turning Point: For the First Time in 10 Years, Poles Oppose Accepting Ukrainian Refugees"
description: "For the first time in 10 years, a majority of citizens in Poland (52%) oppose accepting Ukrainian refugees. Sociologists record a sharp decline in support: from 94% in 2022 to current figures. Poles also largely support restricting access to free healthcare and housing for refugees. 🇵🇱📉"
date: 2026-07-17T19:04:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/turning-point-for-the-first-time-in-10-years-poles-oppose-accepting-ukrainian-refugees
tags: [poland, ukraine, cbos, refugees, european-union]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Turning Point: For the First Time in 10 Years, Poles Oppose Accepting Ukrainian Refugees

![Warsaw streets adorned with Polish flags: symbols of national identity amidst growing skepticism towards migration](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/17/v-polshe-vpervye-za-10-let-protiv-priema-bezhentsev/v-polshe-vpervye-za-10-let-protiv-priema-bezhentsev-1.webp)

Poland has recorded an unprecedented shift in public opinion. Data from a recent survey conducted by the Center for Public Opinion Research (CBOS) indicates that for the first time since regular sociological monitoring began, the number of citizens opposing the acceptance of refugees from Ukraine has exceeded the number of supporters of such a policy.

According to the research results published in the media, 52% of respondents believe that Poland should stop accepting Ukrainian refugees. At the same time, 42% of those surveyed hold the opposite opinion and are ready to continue accepting people fleeing the war.

### From Record Support to Rising Dissatisfaction

Sociologists emphasize the historical significance of these figures. This is the first such result since 2014, when CBOS began tracking Polish sentiments following the annexation of Crimea. The contrast with the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022 appears particularly dramatic: at that time, the level of support for accepting Ukrainians reached a record 94%.

The trend of declining support has been gaining momentum for more than one month. The authors of the report note that the number of citizens dissatisfied with the scale of aid has been steadily growing since September of last year. The majority of respondents (54%) are convinced that current support for Ukrainians is excessive. Only 3% of respondents consider the aid insufficient, while 40% assess it as adequate.

### Reaction to Legislative Restrictions

Public opinion in Poland has also been reflected in the reaction to recent legislative changes concerning the status of refugees. Poles have demonstrated significant support for measures to limit social guarantees for Ukrainians.

In particular, 87% of respondents supported the decision to limit access to the full package of free medical services for Ukrainians who do not pay medical insurance contributions in Poland. Only 8% of respondents opposed this measure.

A similar picture is observed regarding housing. 58% of citizens opposed the cancellation of the right to free accommodation in collective centers for mothers with children over one year old. Only 29% of survey participants supported this restriction.

### The Question of EU Accession

Against the backdrop of changing attitudes towards refugees, skepticism regarding Ukraine's geopolitical future is also growing. According to recent research data, almost 60% of Poles (59.7%) do not support Ukraine's accession to the European Union. At the same time, 32.3% of respondents stated that they are categorically against such a step, while another 27.4% answered "rather no".