The information on this page was collected from public resources and does not constitute legal advice.
General information on border crossing?You can cross the border with Poland by car and on foot at these points: Uhryniv/Dolhobyszow, Krakivets/Korczowa, Hrushiv/Budomezh, Smilnytsia/Krostsenko, Shehyni/Medyka, Rava-Ruska/Hrebenne, Ustyluh/Zosin, Yahodyn/Dorohusk. Poland is building a checkpoint called "Nyzhankovychi - Malhowice" on the border with Ukraine. As you know, the checkpoint has been operating in a temporary mode, but it is planned to be permanently put into operation from the beginning of 2024. The Embassy of Ukraine in Poland resumed the work of the call center after a 3-month break. Phone consultations are again available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Current numbers of the call center:
Chatbot to help Ukrainians around the world from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine The chatbot can simultaneously serve several users and provide advice on the most common questions, namely:
You can get help through the chatbot at the link In addition to the chatbot, citizens can also contact the call center at +38 (044) 224-57-20. |
What documents do I need to enter?You can enter Poland with any of the following documents:
In order to prove family/marital status, birth certificates and a marriage certificate are required. The telephone number of the DPSU hotline ("Trust" Service) is 1598. You can use it for questions of a consultative nature within the competence of the State Border Service of Ukraine. For more information about the documents with which you can cross the border, and about the categories of citizens who are allowed to travel outside Ukraine, see here |
What happens after a border crossing?After arriving to Poland you can contact the nearest reception center where you will receive additional information about your stay in Poland and will have access to a temporary accommodation, hot food, drinks, and basic medical care. Addresses of reception centers can be found here Hotline for more detailed information: +48 47 721 75 75.
You can find more information at www.gov.pl In order to facilitate the rapid adaptation of forced migrants, the ADRA Polska Foundation Ukrainians fleeing the war on Polish territory can receive comprehensive professional assistance. Psychologists give advice on how to cope with stress, military trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Lawyers advise on legal issues. You can also get information about financial assistance and places of settlement at the points. The center in Warsaw is open every day, except Tuesday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
In Lublin, the integration center works at the address: Krakowskie Przedmiesฬcie, 21. In Bydgoszcz, the help center operates from Monday to Friday, except Tuesday, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
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How can I get from the border to the capital (a certain town)?You can travel by train. Women, children under 18, men over 60 and people with disabilities are eligible for a free train travel. Check for more information at www.gov.pl Additional services:
Jakdojade public transport application (Android Flixbus launched a new bus service from Kyiv to Warsaw-Modlin Airport The bus runs daily according to the following schedule:
Bus stops: Kyiv - Korosten - Sarny - Kovel - Lublin - Warsaw - Nowy-Dvir-Mazovetskyi. The Flixbus company also launched new bus flights from Kyiv to Warsaw-Chopin and Warsaw-Modlin airports. Buses depart from Kyiv (Central Bus Station) and pass through Zhytomyr, Rivne, Lutsk, Lublin, Warsaw-Chopin Airport, Warsaw-Zakhodnia Bus Station and Warsaw-Modlin Airport. Route "Kyiv - Warsaw":
Route "Warsaw - Kyiv": departure at 18:45 from Modlin, stop in Chopin at 20:15, arrival in Kyiv at 12:25. You can buy tickets and learn more about the flight at this link From June 1, the Polish railway company SKPL will launch a new train from Warsaw to Rava-Ruska One pair of trains with a minimum capacity of 240 passengers will run every day. Departure from Warsaw railway station is planned at 14:00 (local time), from Lublin - at 16:00, arrival at Rava-Ruska - at 20:15 (Kyiv time). There will be a transfer to the Ukrzaliznytsia train to Lviv. Return from Rava-Ruska is scheduled for 08:45, arrival in Warsaw - at 13:00. Source |
How can I travel to another (specific) country?Ukrainians can continue to travel to other EU/Schengen countries for up to 90 days in 180 days. If you want to extend your stay you need to apply for a temporary protection in one of the EU countries. Available services:
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How long can I stay?Ukrainians or citizens of other visa-free countries can continue to travel to other EU/Schengen countries for up to 90 days in 180 days. In Poland, temporary protection for Ukrainian immigrants was extended until March 4, 2024. The validity of residence permits will also be extended until this period. Those who received a residence permit valid until March 4 or September 4, 2023 do not need to apply for new documents. The issued permits will be valid until March 4, 2024. Source Until what date can Ukrainians legally stay in Poland? President of Poland Andrzej Duda signed the amendments to the Special Law on assistance to citizens of Ukraine who left for Poland in connection with the war. Until March 4, 2024:
Until August 31, 2024, children and adults or their guardians who arrived after February 24, 2022 can stay in Poland:
Until September 30, 2024 - students who will take the matriculation exam. Source |
Where can an unaccompanied minor get help?If you are an unaccompanied minor, after crossing the border you will need to submit a declaration expressing a wish to apply for international protection (asylum). After that, you will be immediately placed to an educational and care facility. Within 3 days the appropriate Court will designate a legal representative for you, who will represent your interests. The legal representative will file an application for international protection acting on your behalf and in your best interest within 3 working days. County family assistance centres:
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Are there any Covid-related requirements and if yes, what are they?Currently, there are no Covid-related requirements at the border applicable to people fleeing war in Ukraine. |
Where do I register for temporary protection?For temporary protection you need to register and apply for the PESEL (ID number) Citizens of Ukraine who have received temporary protection in another country (even if cancelled) will not be able to receive temporary protection in Poland. A new Help and Support Centerย for Ukrainians opened in Warsaw. In the Center, you can get a free consultation on such issues as: |
Can I get temporary protection in this country if I have previously obtained temporary protection in another country?Ukrainians who have already been granted temporary protection in other countries (even if they refused it) will not be able to obtain temporary protection on the territory of Poland. |
If my family member has foreign citizenship, can he/she get temporary protection in this country with me?In accordance with Article 2 of the Implementing Decision of the Council of the EU, temporary protection applies to family members of Ukrainian citizens who lived in Ukraine until February 24, 2022. At the same time, the citizenship of such a family member does not matter. The Decision directly states that for the purposes of temporary protection, the family should have already existed and lived in the territory of Ukraine until February 24, 2022. At the same time, the concept of "family member" is defined quite broadly in the Decision, in particular:
Thus, family members can include not only the official husband/wife, but also civil partners who lived in the same family with a citizen of Ukraine at the time the war began and got married after 02/24/2022 (or continue to live in a civil partnership). However, the provision of temporary protection for this category of persons remains at the discretion of each EU country, depending on its family legislation. Instead, Polish legislation establishes more limited criteria for "family members" for the purposes of temporary protection, in particular:
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How to extend the status of temporary protection?In Poland, temporary protection for Ukrainian immigrants was extended until March 4, 2024. The validity of residence permits will also be extended until this period. Those who received a residence permit valid until March 4 or September 4, 2023 do not need to apply for new documents. The issued permits will be valid until March 4, 2024. Source |
How to refuse temporary protection if you decide to return to Ukraine?Even despite the war, Ukrainians abroad often decide to return home. If you decide to permanently return to Ukraine, you must refuse temporary protection in Poland by submitting an application on an official form. Next, the application must be submitted to the commune administration. After that, you will no longer be entitled to special benefits for Ukrainians (access to the labor market and medicine, social benefits, etc.). It is worth noting that UKR status is automatically lost if you leave Poland for more than 30 days. However, it is better to submit an application to ensure |
What are my rights while I wait to get temporary protection?You can work or study without a PESEL number. But it is very recommended to get it if you want to access social benefits. |
What documents will I receive once I get temporary protection?You will have confirmation of your PESEL number and a printout with login and password of your Profil Zaufany, an online profile, required to submit applications online. Check your current UKR status in Poland online to make sure it's still valid. Go to the link |
How can Ukrainian immigrants in Poland check the status of temporary protection?You can check the status of temporary protection online For this:
* according to the Ministry of Reintegration. Source |
How to file a complaint if your rights have been violated in Poland?In cases where your rights have been violated (unlawfully deprived of protection status (UKR), payments), you can file a complaint with the Polish Ombudsman. How to submit a request?
To submit a request, you need:
All letters addressed to the ombudsman are carefully read. Each case is guaranteed to be considered, and the interested person will receive an answer to his appeal. |
May I temporarily return to Ukraine? What will happen to my protection status?PESEL UKR status is automatically canceled if you:
Social financial payments are suspended if a citizen of Ukraine leaves the territory of Poland for more than 30 days. Seafarers will not be deprived of PESEL when leaving the country for more than 30 days if they leave Poland for work. |
What should be done before coming to Ukraine?Relinquish temporary protection status: Regardless of the country of residence, temporary protection must be waived. Your status will be revoked by the state body or institution where you issued the documents. However, citizens of Ukraine can re-obtain this status if they decide to return abroad. Make sure your documents are valid: Citizens who left Ukraine with a valid foreign passport will not face any difficulties. The expired document can be extended in diplomatic institutions for another five years - this decision was made by the Cabinet of Ministers, because it is not possible to issue biometrics abroad. You can also add a child's data to an adult's passport. Ukrainians who have only an internal passport or who left Ukraine without documents should also contact the embassy or consulate. Employees of the institution will issue a special document - an identity card for returning to Ukraine (it is not necessary to pay the consular fee during martial law). Cancel receiving cash assistance abroad: When returning home, refugees cannot receive state benefits. If you do not notify the relevant institution about your departure from the country, it will be considered an offence. In such a case, a Ukrainian may be fined or even banned from entering the country. By the way, it is not necessary to declare cash payments received abroad in Ukraine. |
Can I move around the country and the European Union freely while under temporary protection?PESEL UKR status is automatically cancelled if you leave the territory of Poland for more than 30 days. According to the Special Act on assistance to citizens of Ukraine in connection with the armed conflict on the territory of this state, it is possible to renew the PESEL UKR status in the event that the departure from Poland for more than 30 days was to the territory of Ukraine, but the reason for the return were the hostilities. To renew your PESEL UKR status, you will need to contact the local administration (Urzฤ d miasta/Urzฤ d gminy), explain why you left and came back (due to hostilities), and request a reassignment of your PESEL number. The PESEL number previously provided to you will not be changed and only the UKR status will be renewed. |
Can I apply for asylum while under temporary protection? What is the difference?Yes, you can apply for for asylum (international protection). It is not adviced to apply for asylum for people who qualify for temporary protection. The main differences from the temporary protection are the following:
Asylum
You can also apply for "family reunification" if a family member already resides legally in the EU. |
How and where can I apply for the residency?Since April 1, Ukrainian refugees in Poland may apply for a temporary residence permit (the so-called "karta pobytu") on condition of having a Polish identification code concerning their arrival in Poland after February 24, 2022 (PESEL UKR), as well as working in the country. In this case, the benefits and payments will remain in force. This is stipulated by the amendments to the law "On assistance to citizens of Ukraine in connection with the armed conflict on the territory of Ukraine", which were adopted in January 2023. To issue a temporary residence permit under the simplified procedure, the purpose of stay in Poland must be:
The application must be submitted to the voivode in the place of residence. If the refugee meets all the requirements, a residence permit can be issued for up to three years. If the person does not meet the requirements, but the purpose of his stay is work, he will receive a residence card for one year only. Refusal or delay in the issuance of a karta pobytu may occur if a citizen of Ukraine fills out the application form incorrectly or submits an incomplete package of documents. Now there is no possibility to submit documents online. Source |
How long I need to wait to get the residency?PESEL |
What if I don't have the international passport?According to the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service (DPSU), the citizens of Ukraine who can leave Ukraine with an internal passport are currently only those evacuating from occupied territories or territories where hostilities are taking place, the list of which is approved in accordance with the Order of the Ministry on Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine of December 22, 2022 No. 309 Ukrainian State Border Guard Service (DPSU) helpline: +38 (044) 527-63-63 (for calls from Ukraine and abroad) or 1598 (on the territory of Ukraine). Polish Border Guard helpline: +48 82 568 51 19 If you have previously left Ukraine for Poland on a civil passport, you definitely need to apply for a foreign passport. This can be done in the new DP division "Document". Currently, Ukrainians can have their documents made in the following cities:
Ukrainians in Poland will be able to apply to ASCs remotely. The Gdanฬsk Foundation, with the support of UNICEF, has launched a project that will allow Ukrainians to resolve issues with administrative services in Ukraine while in Poland by consulting with Lviv officials online. In total, Ukrainians will now be able to resolve about 500 issues remotely, including passport issuance, child benefits, recovery of lost documents and real estate issues in Ukraine. You can apply for advice at the Gdanฬsk Pomaga Ukrainie office on Wednesdays from 14:00 to 18:00 and on Thursdays from 10:00 to 14:00. To get a consultation, please call 500 218 337 from Monday to Friday, from 08:00 to 16:00. After the call, the manager will arrange a consultation with the necessary ASC branch. Source |
How to issue a foreign passport while abroad?The State Migration Service of Ukraine, together with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, opened a new division of DP "Dokument" in Poland. There you can order the following services:
Currently, Ukrainians can have their documents made in the following cities:
In order to issue a foreign passport, you need to contact the Ukrainian Embassy A foreign passport is issued to a person who has reached the age of 16 on the basis of an application-questionnaire submitted by him personally. At the same time, the issuance of a foreign passport to a person who has been recognized by the court as having limited legal capacity or incapacity is carried out on the basis of an application-questionnaire of the guardian or other legal representative. The following are attached to the application:
In case of loss or theft of the previous passport, a document (report, certificate, etc.) issued by the competent authority of the state in which the passport was lost or stolen is attached to the application, confirming the fact of the owner's application regarding its loss or theft. Such a document is submitted without legalization and translation into Ukrainian. In the case of issuing a passport in connection with a change in personal data (surname and/or first name), a document confirming such a change (marriage certificate, divorce certificate, court decision, etc.) is attached to the application. When issuing a foreign passport with a new surname and/or first name, the "domestic" passport (ID card) must be reissued. In the event that the applicant has not previously been issued with an identity document, confirming Ukrainian citizenship and/or granting the right to leave Ukraine and enter Ukraine, a certificate of registration of the person as a citizen of Ukraine is provided (with the exception of cases when the person's parents at the time of his were citizens of Ukraine at birth). |
Can Ukrainians get married or divorced abroad?In the conditions of martial law, starting from February 2023, some foreign diplomatic institutions of Ukraine received additional powers in the field of registration of acts of civil status (registration of birth, marriage, dissolution of marriage, etc.). The provided functions include, in particular:
Recently, the consular offices of Ukraine in Wroclaw, Gdaลsk, Lublin, and Warsaw reported that the necessary procedures for the implementation of these services are practically completed at the moment, and in the near future these institutions will launch them in "test mode" by appointment. Thus, in the near future, Ukrainians will be able to marry or divorce at Ukrainian consulates in Poland. It is important that from now on the registration of civil status acts for citizens of Ukraine should be carried out regardless of their place of residence (stay). To receive services at diplomatic institutions in Poland, you will need to complete online registration in advance:
The list of required documents can be found on the website |
Where can I take a photo for my documents?There are numerous shops that offer such services. Look for printer shops & copy centers on Google Maps. |
How can a Ukrainian refugee register a newborn in this country?You can register the birth of a child only at the consulate. There, the determination of his origin and the assignment of his surname, first name, and patronymic are carried out. The application for registration must be submitted immediately, but no later than one month after the birth of the child, and in the case of a stillborn child - no later than three days. The registration process takes place at the place of birth or at the place of residence of the child's parents or one of them (with a written application). At the same time, in case of illness, death of the parents or for other reasons it is impossible to register the birth - the application can be submitted by relatives or other persons authorized by the representative of the health care institution in which the child was born or is currently. What is required for registration?
Registration is free, and based on its results, parents are issued a birth certificate. How to return to the homeland with a child born in the Poland? In order for Ukrainians to return home with a child born in the Poland, they must have with them:
Is the status of a citizen of Ukraine preserved during the birth of a child in the Poland? A newborn Ukrainian in the Poland retains the status of a citizen of Ukraine. Data on citizenship and nationality in the act record of birth and certificate are not filled in, which is why a corresponding entry is made in the column "For marks". In addition, a person whose parents or one of his parents were citizens of Ukraine at the time of his birth is a citizen of Ukraine. The place of birth of the baby does not affect the possibility of him acquiring Ukrainian citizenship. |
Where to apply in case of death of a Ukrainian abroad? How to repatriate the deceased to their homeland?There are several steps involved in the process of body repatriation from abroad to Ukraine: 1. Notify the authorities. The first step of body repatriation from abroad to Ukraine is to contact the local authorities in Poland (report to the civil registry office (urzฤ
d stanu cywilnego, USC), so you can register the death. Ukrainian embassy 2. Arrange the correct documents. Youโll need to have all the right paperwork before you can repatriate your loved one home from abroad to Ukraine. If you are repatriating a body to Ukraine for burial or cremation, the documents you will need include:
All the mentioned documents should be authenticated, legalized and translated into Ukrainian by the certified translator. The originals of abovementioned documents and notarized translations, must accompany the casket containing the deceased, or urn with ashes, to Ukraine. The passport of the deceased person should be sent to the Embassy of Ukraine along with a notarized and authenticated copy of the Certificate of Death, and a translation from Polish to Ukrainian. The Embassy is to make correspondent procedures with the passport and can forward it back if it is required to accompany the casket containing the deceased, or urn with ashes, to Ukraine. The Embassy is to be informed of the date, time, and the place of delivery of the casket containing the deceased, or urn with ashes, to Ukraine. Only the next of kin relatives of the deceased, or persons correspondingly authorized by them, can receive the casket or urn. 3. Transport the deceased to Ukraine. The casket containing the body, or urn with ashes, must be sealed by the Funeral Home. There are no strict requirements with respect to the urn with ashes; however, the body should be transported in a metal casket, made of zinc-plated steel or tinplate not more than 0,4 thick. For the air cargo transportation, it is necessary to specify a cemetery in Ukraine as well as Ukrainian Funeral Home which will take care of the casket, or the urn with ashes, in Ukraine. Both are a subject of private choice by the relatives or friends of the deceased person. Source |
Where can I translate my documents?You can translate your documents at any translation agency in your city, like this one |
How do I get Mobile phone/internet services?You can get free SIM cards at the refugee centers, border checkpoints or any of the stores of the following providers: A new player has appeared in the market of mobile operators in Poland. It offers free calls in Poland and unlimited SMS and internet. The new operator is Fonia Telecom Sp. z o. o. This company provides wireless communications, computer programming, and electronic equipment wholesale and retail services. How to use the services of the new operator? All residents of Poland, including Ukrainians, can become subscribers and use free communication services. To do this, take the following steps:
Free services are provided for consent to view advertisements and discount coupons. Another condition is the constant active state of the application and the presence of a SIM card in the phone. Activation of the offer โ 49 zlotys. |
Is there any useful mobile application for Ukrainians?mObywatel is the Polish analogue of the Ukrainian application "DIYA". mObywatel provides access to identity documents and administrative services in Poland. What will you find in the mObywatel app? Documents:
Services:
You can find more detailed information about the application and download links here |
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