Amendment of the Defence Act with the signature of the President

The fresh regulations include, among others, professional soldiers. An crucial change is the military sent abroad, including courses, internships and specializations. If this journey lasts more than six months, The soldier will be able to leave with his closest household members. The military will besides gain the right to a scholarship and reimbursement of costs: accommodation, travel, wellness insurance and children's education in primary and secondary schools.

The rules re-establish the rules for the reimbursement of the cost of education (studies, internships, specializations, training) which a professional soldier is obliged to return in the event of his or her interruption or dismissal from the military before the prescribed period. The maximum amount of the refund will not be higher than 60 times the lowest wage of a basic professional soldier.

Positive solutions were besides offered to military matrimony parents. The amendment of the provision implies an extension from 4 to 8 years of age of a kid entitled to restrict the joint posting of spouses on a business trip.

The amended law besides clarifies the rules concerning the granting of professional allowances to soldiers: for long-term military service, for service in the unit and for motivation. The establishment of battalion commanders and disciplinary bodies will be a novelty. They do not presently have the power, for example, to initiate proceedings and settle tiny disciplinary matters.

Under the fresh rules, the amount of compensation for the closest soldier in the event of his death as a consequence of an accident or illness in connection with the service will increase.

The fresh law will besides benefit non-professional soldiers. In case of implementation of crisis management activities they will be able to trust on a motivational benefit. The same solution will apply to professional soldiers in the course of training at a military college, a junior advanced school, a centre or training centre.

Amendments to candidates

Changes to the bill besides apply to military candidates. This includes, among another things, the recruitment process, which presently lasts for a maximum of 2 days, and according to the fresh government is to proceed "without undue delay". At the legislative stage, this proposal sparked many discussions, and parliamentarians pointed out that specified a provision could consequence in slowing down the recruitment process. – The change is intended to verify precisely whether the candidate meets certain requirements – argued Deputy Minister of National Defence Stanisław Wzątek. It is important, especially as the bill besides introduces fresh rules for assessing the intellectual capacity of candidates for the army. Mandatory intellectual examinations are to be conducted by all volunteers regardless of the kind of service (today investigation is mandatory only for candidates for professional soldiers). The amendment besides states that intellectual studies will be available no more than erstwhile all 12 months.

Important changes for reserveists

Some of the fresh regulations concern soldiers of the passive reserve. In accordance with the amendment, they will be able to be given mobilization allowances for service posts in global organizations, global military structures or with abroad armed forces stationed in Poland.

MON did not forget about the reservists who were called up for military exercises during the period 1 January–29 September 2023 and who, due to a legal gap, cannot be reimbursed for the costs of travelling to and from military units. The fresh rules will enable them to do soand to submit an application to that effect, the reserve holder will have 12 months from the date of entry into force.

The amendments besides concern the Armed Forces Support Fund, from which part of the military equipment contracts are financed. Among another things, it is possible for the Polish side to open an account in the central bank of the state, which executes orders for arms or military equipment. The amendment besides provides for the division of crisis management competences between the territorial defence army commander, who is now liable for the full issue, and the operational commander of the RFA, who will be liable for coordinating NATO and EU crisis management in the national defence department.

Other changes included: new, softer rules for shooting, filming and streaming military facilities, the anticipation of granting a peculiar grant to pro-defensive organizations and support for dogs and horses withdrawn from service in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Poland.

The fresh regulations will enter into force 14 days after publication in the diary of Laws.