Icon
Come back

2 min

22 Jan. 2024

31705

Temporary protection was not extended: will Ukrainian refugees leave Poland in March?

For refugees
Popular
Poland
Temporary protection was not extended: will Ukrainian refugees leave Poland in March?

The issue of Ukrainians' stay in Poland remains relevant, as the Polish government is considering amending a special law that would extend the period of legal stay. Find out more about how long Ukrainians can stay in the country

An insurance policy is a guarantee of your safety and peaceful stay outside of Ukraine
An insurance policy is a guarantee of your safety and peaceful stay outside of Ukraine
BUY


Last week, news began to spread on social media in leading Ukrainian media and telegram channels that Poland had extended the period of temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees until March 4, 2025. This was reported by the BBC.


However, it later turned out that this was a misinterpretation of the Polish government's decision and does not apply to Ukrainians. 


We will tell you what this decision actually means, to whom it is addressed, and what awaits Ukrainians in Poland.


Poland does not extend protection for Ukrainian refugees: what is known


The decision of the Polish government, which was published on January 18 on the official portal, stated that temporary protection would be extended.


"The temporary protection mechanism, introduced by the EU Council in March 2022 for an initial period of one year, will now be in effect until March 4, 2025," the statement said.


As it turned out later, this applies only to persons who have received a protection certificate from the Office for Foreigners.


The Embassy of Ukraine in Poland explained that such certificates were issued to third-country nationals (not from Ukraine) who were legally residing in Ukraine at the time of the invasion and temporarily fled to Poland.


Instead, the legal stay of most Ukrainian refugees is regulated by a different mechanism provided for in the special law on assistance to Ukrainians. They receive PESEL UKR, a document that guarantees them basic rights in Poland.




Visit Ukraine on social media: Telegram | YouTube | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok




How long can Ukrainians legally stay in Poland?


Currently, the Polish authorities have not extended this protection. Therefore, Ukrainians holding PESEL with UKR status can legally stay in Poland until March 4, 2024. Those who take care of children who study or attend kindergarten can stay a little longer - until August 31, 2024. Students taking matriculation exams (and their parents) are allowed to stay until September 30, 2024.


According to recent reports, the Polish government is actively considering extending the legal stay of Ukrainians for another year, namely until March 4, 2025. Amendments to the special law are already being prepared and should be approved by the Sejm in the coming weeks.

Please note! To ensure a safe stay abroad, you should take care of reliable health insurance in advance, which will not only help you maintain your health, but also protect you from unforeseen expenses. You can take out an insurance policy that covers emergency medical care in case of illnesses and accidents, as well as inpatient and outpatient care around the world on the Visit Ukraine website. In addition, on our portal, you can immediately apply for car insurance - the Green Card, which is mandatory in 50 countries, including the EU.

Earlier we wrote that the support programs for refugees from Ukraine are constantly changing, and some of them are being completely canceled by the authorities. Find out what major changes for Ukrainians will take place in Poland in 2024 and what to expect in the near future.



Photo: EPA/UPG


Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.




Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip: 


Visit Ukraine Insurance - insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;

Green Card - compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;

Visit Ukraine Tickets - book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;

Private Lawyer service - professional legal support on visa and migration issues;

Visit Ukraine Merch - buy patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.




© 2018-2023, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.

Recommended articles

2 min

Popular 2024 is a year of change: what countries' election results could affect Ukraine besides the US?

2024 is a year of change: what countries' election results could affect Ukraine besides the US?

The US election is not the only event that could have a significant impact on the situation in Ukraine, as a record number of voters in more than 70 countries will cast their ballots this year. Find out which countries' election results could have an impact on support for Kyiv

21 Jan. 2024

More details

1 min

Travel Ryanair to launch new flights from 10 countries: where you can fly on a budget

Ryanair to launch new flights from 10 countries: where you can fly on a budget

Ryanair, the leading low-cost airline in Europe, is launching new flights from 10 countries. Find out more about where the new flights will be operated from

21 Jan. 2024

More details

1 min

Finance Where in Ukraine do pensioners receive the highest and lowest pensions?

Where in Ukraine do pensioners receive the highest and lowest pensions?

The average pension in Ukraine increased by 16.5% over the year. The data on the distribution of pensions across Ukraine allows us to determine where pensioners are provided with the highest and lowest pensions in the country. Find out more about which regions are at the top of the list

21 Jan. 2024

More details

2 min

Events Why is the Day of Unity of Ukraine one of the most important holidays for Ukrainians?

Why is the Day of Unity of Ukraine one of the most important holidays for Ukrainians?

Unity is what gives a nation the ability to consolidate and survive in the most brutal conditions, and that is why it has become one of the most important elements of the Ukrainian struggle. Learn more about the holiday of national unity and why it has become one of the most important holidays in Ukraine

22 Jan. 2024

More details