Poland's Sejm passes Uniformed Family Card: rail and passport discounts

Poland's Sejm (the lower house of parliament) has passed the Uniformed Family Card Act. It could give soldiers, officers and their families a handful of everyday perks. Here is what is in it.

1. A big majority in the Sejm

On 6 November, 431 MPs voted for the law, 9 voted against and 3 abstained. The bill was drafted jointly by the Civic Coalition, PSL and Lewica clubs, and MPs added 13 clarifying amendments in the second reading. Back in September, the coalition clubs had submitted the bill.

2. Healthcare without the queue

Card holders are to get queue-free access to health services in military and ministry-run facilities. That covers facilities under the defence and interior ministries.

3. Priority for preschool

Children of card holders would get priority for preschool places when the family changes its place of residence. Think of a soldier posted to a new city.

4. Cheaper train tickets

The card brings a 37% discount on single rail tickets and 49% on long-term ones, including monthly tickets.

5. Half-price passports

Adults would get a 50% discount on passport fees, and children 75%.

6. Who is covered

The card is for soldiers (professional, territorial defence, reserve, retired and pensioned), plus officers of the Police, Border Guard, State Fire Service and State Protection Service. Veterans are included, and so are spouses and children. In October a parliamentary committee extended some rights to volunteer firefighters (OSP) who take part in rescue operations, and to their spouses and children. They will not get the long-term rail discount or queue-free healthcare in ministry facilities.

7. A new day on the calendar

The law also makes 15 May the Uniformed Family Day. The stated aim is to support these families, including veterans and relatives of those who died or went missing, and to promote service for national security.

The bill now goes to the Senate, the upper house, before it can become law.