What changed on 5 March 2026

The Act of 23 January 2026 (Journal of Laws 2026, item 203) entered into force on 5 March 2026. It moved the rules of temporary protection to the Act on Granting Protection to Foreigners (Art. 106-110f). Most provisions of the special act of 2022 were repealed.

The stay of a beneficiary of temporary protection who arrived legally in the period indicated in the EU Council decision and in order to benefit from protection is legal from the day of entry until the day on which that decision remains in force (Art. 106 para. 1). The stay of a child born in Poland whose parent is a beneficiary of protection is also legal (Art. 106 para. 2). The EU Council extended temporary protection for Ukrainian citizens until 4 March 2027.

Persons who already had a PESEL number with UKR status have had a legal stay under Art. 106 since 5 March 2026 (Art. 24 para. 1 point 2 of the Act of 23 January 2026).

PESEL with UKR status

A beneficiary of temporary protection is assigned a PESEL number with UKR status at their request submitted at any municipal office. The application is submitted within 30 days of crossing the border. Without an application within this deadline temporary protection expires (Art. 110a paras. 1-2 and Art. 109b para. 1 point 1).

Confirmation of identity

  • If the PESEL was assigned on the basis of a declaration, you had to confirm your identity at the municipal office on the basis of a valid travel document by 31 August 2026. From 1 September 2026 the UKR status of such persons was changed to NUE status and they lost the entitlement under Art. 106 para. 1 (Art. 25).
  • If the PESEL was assigned on the basis of the Karta Polaka (Pole's Card), another document with a photograph or a document confirming birth, you confirm your identity within 60 days of the date of issue of the travel document (Art. 26 para. 1).

The document in the mObywatel app

The minister responsible for digitisation may make available in the mObywatel app an electronic document with current data from the PESEL register. Such a document together with a travel document entitles you to cross the border repeatedly without a visa. It is invalidated when the UKR status changes (Art. 110d paras. 1, 9 and 10).

Certificates issued earlier

A certificate issued before 5 March 2026 remains valid until 4 March 2027, unless you were assigned a PESEL with UKR status or the certificate was invalidated (Art. 20 para. 1).

Who protection does not cover

Art. 106 does not apply, among others, to persons who have a permanent residence permit, an EU long-term resident permit or a temporary residence permit, refugee status or subsidiary protection, who have submitted an application for international protection in Poland, who have obtained temporary protection in another EU state or who have citizenship of an EU state (Art. 109a).

Work during protection: work of a Ukrainian citizen. Expiry of protection: loss of UKR status. Residence card: the CUKR card. Help with PESEL and Profil Zaufany: Start in Poland.