The EC speaks out on migration. Poland can apply for a one-year exemption from the solidarity mechanism

Poland can apply for a one-year exemption from relocation and other obligations under the EU solidarity mechanism. If member states agree, the decision will apply for one year, after which the European Commission will reassess the situation.

On Wednesday, the European Commission presented the first report on the creation of an annual solidarity pool for countries struggling with a difficult migration situation. These countries will be able to benefit from support, including: in the form of relocation or financial assistance.

This mechanism aims to ensure a fairer division of responsibility among Member States, especially towards border countries and those experiencing particular migratory pressure. This is part of a broader migration pact that will enter into force in June 2026 and is intended to improve the management of migration flows across the EU.

Three groups of countries in the EC report

In the report, the Commission divided the countries struggling with a difficult migration situation into three groups. Poland was included in two of them.

Until one o'clock countries most burdened by the influx of migrants went to Greece, Spain, Italy and Cyprus – which will gain access to the main solidarity pool.

Second the group includes countries that are struggling with the risk of migration pressure, for example due to a large number of arrivals in the previous year, excessive burden on the admission system or the threat of instrumentalization of migration. These included: Poland and 11 other countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Estonia, Ireland, France, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, the Netherlands and Finland.

These countries will not receive automatic access to the “solidarity pool”, but will be able to use other financial, technical and operational support tools. Moreover, if their situation deteriorates, they can be transferred to the first group.

Third the category includes countries that are in a difficult migration situation. These countries do not receive direct financial support, but may be partially or completely exempt from the obligation to contribute. This category was again qualified Poland, as well as Austria, the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Estonia and Croatia. In addition, those countries that face hybrid threats and increasing airspace violations by drones will also gain access to a new program worth PLN 250 million in support for the purchase of drones and anti-drone systems.

Poland was included in the second and third groups at the same time, due to the large number of refugees from Ukraine and migration pressure on the Polish-Belarusian border. This means that on the one hand it can apply for EU financial and operational support, and on the other – for exemption from mandatory payments.

Necessary application

However, the Commission's proposal has the nature of a recommendation. For the exemption to come into force, Poland – like other eligible countries – must submit an application to the European Commission. If the EC agrees – and the decision is made by a qualified majority – the exemption will be valid for one year. After this time, the Commission will report again and assess the situation, based on data on the number of arrivals, asylum applications and factors such as the state of the country's economy and population.

It is worth recalling that although the Migration Pact introduces the obligation to participate in the solidarity mechanism (unless the country is exempted from it in the procedure described above), it does not provide for the forced relocation of migrants. Each country can choose the form of its contribution – relocation, a financial contribution of EUR 20,000 for each person not admitted, or operational support, such as the secondment of staff. The mechanism is therefore aimed at flexible and proportional cooperation, not at a prescriptive redistribution of people.

Ministry of Interior and Administration: the application has already been submitted

The Ministry of Interior and Administration has submitted an application to the European Commission for full exemption from the solidarity mechanism under the migration pact, spokeswoman for the ministry, Karolina Gałecka, told PAP on Wednesday.

“We have been saying for months that there is no consent to any relocation mechanisms. Poland incurs huge costs of protecting the European Union's borders, is under migration pressure from Belarus and has accepted war refugees from Ukraine. Importantly, the decision to submit such an application means protection for many years, not just for a year. We announced this and we kept our word,” said the Minister of Interior and Administration, Marcin Kierwiński, quoted in the release of the Ministry of Interior and Administration.

“As I said, Poland will not accept migrants under the Migration Pact. Nor will it pay for it. That's already a decision. We do it, we don't talk!” – the head of government commented on Tuesday on the X platform.

In the evening, PiS president Jarosław Kaczyński replied: “As I said, there is nothing new about the migration pact. The pact is in force, and we are at the mercy of Brussels. It will be like this every year. It was clear from the beginning.” (PAP)

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