On August 21–25, 2026, Rating Group conducted a survey of Ukrainian refugees in Poland about their life abroad.

Polish Language Proficiency

The survey of Ukrainian refugees living in Poland shows a fairly high level of language integration.

• 60% of respondents said they speak Polish at an intermediate or advanced level.
• A basic level – 26%, an elementary level – 12%.
• Only 2% of respondents do not know Polish at all.

Adapting to Life Abroad

57% of respondents are satisfied with their level of social adaptation, while 37% are not.

• At the same time, life abroad comes with a wide range of challenges. The most common concern among refugees is the negative influence of the media, cited by 45%.
• Mental health issues were noted by 29%, difficulty accessing quality medical care – 28%, general health problems – 24%, lack of opportunities for self-realization – 23%. Insufficient social adaptation, a shortage of free time, and housing difficulties each concern 22%, physical safety – 21%.
• A high workload and lack of money were named by 19% each, difficulty finding employment or a profession losing relevance – 17%, loss or destruction of housing due to the war – 14%, difficulty choosing a future profession – 12%.

Psychological state also remains a notable concern.

26% often or very often felt excessive anxiety or panic they could not cope with. Another 31% experienced such states occasionally, while 40% encountered them rarely or never.

Social Connections

Ukrainian refugees' own attitude toward the local population is mostly neutral (44%) or warm (50%). Refugees perceive Poles' attitude toward them more reservedly: 30% describe it as warm, 46% as neutral, and 22% as cold.

• For 45%, the closest circle of communication consists mostly of Ukrainians, while for 34% it includes both Ukrainians and local residents in roughly equal measure. Only 8% communicate mainly with Poles, and 13% said they have no circle of communication at all.
• Over the past 12 months, 31% of surveyed Ukrainian refugees experienced discrimination based on national or ethnic origin, and 22% faced prejudice for using the Ukrainian language.
• Negative attitudes because of the Russian language were reported by 6%, because of age – 5%, because of gender – 3%. At the same time, nearly half of respondents (49%) did not experience discrimination on any of the grounds listed in the survey.

Assessing Different Aspects of Living in Poland

• Ukrainian refugees rate access to quality leisure in Poland most highly: positive assessments reach 57%, negative – 10%.
• The ability to live comfortably is rated well by 41%, poorly by 14%. Access to preschool and school education is viewed positively by 39%, negatively by 5%, though 37% were unable to assess it.
• Opportunities to start a business received 29% positive and 13% negative ratings, while 32% were undecided.
• Prospects for achieving success are rated positively by 29%, negatively by 20%. 28% rate access to higher education well and 9% poorly, though 40% could not answer.
• Assessments of the protection of rights and freedoms are almost evenly split – 27% positive versus 28% negative. A similar picture emerges for jobs with adequate pay – 26% positive versus 27% negative.
• Access to quality healthcare is rated well by 26%, poorly by 32%; for housing rental, the figures are 25% and 28% respectively. Social support is rated positively by 20%, negatively by 29%, with 27% undecided.
• Buying one's own home remains the most difficult: only 16% rate its accessibility positively, while 44% rate it negatively.

Plans for Living Abroad

• 44% of respondents would like to settle abroad permanently, while 43% would not. Among those who want to live abroad, 40% choose Poland, 17% another European country, and 6% a country outside Europe. Meanwhile, 37% could not name a country.
• Respondents named obtaining Polish citizenship as the most desired form of assistance for making life in Poland easier – 35%.
• Polish language courses are needed by 17%, recognition of Ukrainian diplomas – 16%, financial support – 14%, help with social adaptation – 13%, access to healthcare – 12%, psychological support – 11%. Help with employment is needed by 9%, free education and help finding housing – 6% each.
• 34% of refugees are considering obtaining Polish citizenship, including those who have already submitted documents. 46% do not plan to, and another 20% are undecided.

Returning to Ukraine

51% of surveyed refugees in Poland intend to return to Ukraine, though most are postponing this step until the war ends.

• 8% are ready to return in the near future, 43% after the war. 26% do not plan to return, and 23% cannot give a definite answer.
• The key condition that would encourage return is security and stability in Ukraine, named by 71% of respondents.
• Economic development matters to 36%, employment prospects to 26%, the absence of internal linguistic, religious and other conflicts to 21%. The development of social infrastructure and the ability to influence social change were each named by 12%, participation in rebuilding the country and worsening living conditions abroad by 11% each.

Financial Situation and Employment

73% of Ukrainian refugees in Poland said they have a job, of whom 87% work directly in Poland.

• Over the past year, the financial situation of Ukrainian refugees improved more often than it worsened. 36% reported positive changes, 20% negative changes, while 41% felt no change.
• Respondents are somewhat more optimistic about the future: 38% expect improvement over the next year, 12% expect it to worsen, and 31% expect no change. Another 20% could not predict their financial situation.
• Among the employed, 87% work in Poland, 4% in Ukraine, and 5% in several countries.
• 81% of refugees rent housing, while only 7% own their home. For 3%, housing is provided by their employer, 2% each live with Polish families or with Ukrainian friends and acquaintances, and 1% use social housing.

Rating Group is one of Ukraine's largest research institutions, operating since 2008. The company is registered in Ukraine and has extensive experience conducting sociological surveys in Ukraine and abroad. The group includes the Rating Sociological Group, the Rating Lab research laboratory, the Rating Online platform, and the Rating CATI Center.

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