The Polish government proposes to change the conditions for granting temporary protection to refugees from Ukraine. Learn more about the proposed system of obtaining a temporary residence card and the abolition of the free accommodation program in the new special law

Legal assistance for Ukrainians abroad

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The Ministry of the Interior has decided to change the conditions of stay for Ukrainian refugees in Poland. As of early April, there are two major changes that may come into effect in the near future. Read more about what awaits Ukrainians in Poland in the article below.

What other changes are proposed by the Polish authorities can be found here.

Cancellation of the free accommodation program for refugees aged 40+ in Poland: what do we know?

According to naszwybir.pl, the Ministry of Internal Affairs has decided to abandon the form of support for citizens who provide shelter and food to refugees in private housing. According to Deputy Interior Minister Maciej Duszczyk, an amendment to the law that would remove Article 13 should be submitted to the Sejm by the end of April. 

The deputy minister noted that such changes are primarily due to the fact that the relevant exemption causes many misunderstandings and doubts in interpretation. In particular, the Union of Polish Metropolitan Areas reported problems with documentary evidence of disability. In addition, it is noted that more and more applications for compensation have begun to come from Ukrainian citizens who host their fellow countrymen.

"So far, all the amendments have been an attempt to strengthen this provision to prevent abuse. After analysis, we decided that this article will disappear from the law," said Maciej Duszczyk.

At the same time, Dorota Bombiak-Kowalska, Managing Director of the Union of Polish Metropolitanates, noted that "the abolition of this provision will not mean that refugees will be deprived of support and care, they will still be able to use collective accommodation facilities."

The current rules, namely the payment of compensation of 40 zlotys per day for homeowners who provide accommodation and meals for refugees, will be available until June 30, 2024.

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Change of status: what is known about temporary residence cards in Poland?

The new special law also proposes to grant refugees from Ukraine a new status. In particular, it is about granting residence permits to those who have the PESEL UKR status. Maciej Duszczyk noted that Ukrainians will have the right to choose whether to remain under the temporary protection of PESEL UKR or to receive a temporary residence card.

"We have prepared a system that will allow all PESEL UKR members to obtain a temporary residence permit. Regardless of whether they are working or not, pensioners or students, children under 6 or older. It will be an automatic system that will change the status of temporary protection to the status of temporary residence with the help of one provision," said the Deputy Minister of the Interior and Administration of Poland.

It is noted that a special electronic portal will be created for this purpose. Thus, Ukrainians who want to receive a "residence card" will have to register in this system from July 1, 2024, to September 30, 2025, and submit a package of documents to the city or commune authorities.

In addition, it is known that a separate body will be created for Ukrainians to issue the relevant permits in order to avoid involving voivodeship offices in the process and speed up the process. However, all applicants will be checked by the Internal Security Agency, the Border Guard Service and the police. The change of legal status will take place only after the person personally comes and receives his/her residence permit.

It is expected that the first temporary residence permits will be issued in 2025. They will be valid for 3 years.

We remind you! The Polish government has extended temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees and set new terms of legal stay. The decision was made in the context of continuing support and protection for Ukrainian citizens who were forced to seek asylum. Read more about how long Ukrainians are allowed to stay in Poland in our previous article.

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