Poland is revising the rules for Ukrainians’ stay and repealing a special law that has been in force since 2022. From 5 March, new regulations will come into force, changing the procedure for registration, obtaining temporary protection status and access to social benefits. What will happen to PESEL UKR, will the legality of residence be preserved and who may be denied support — we analyse the key changes. Find out how the new rules will affect Ukrainians in Poland in the coming months
Legal assistance on migration issues for Ukrainians in Ukraine and abroad
Poland is ending the era of a separate legal regime for Ukrainian refugees, which has been in place since the start of the full-scale war. The country’s president has signed a law that repeals special provisions and transfers Ukrainians to the general rules for temporary protection of foreigners. The changes will take effect on 5 March and will primarily affect registration, legal residence and access to benefits.
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What will change for Ukrainians
The special law, adopted in 2022, created a separate system for Ukrainians living in Poland. It made life as easy as possible — allowing them to quickly obtain documents, work without additional permits, and apply for medical assistance, education and social benefits.
Now the state is abandoning the ‘special regime’. But this does not mean that assistance will be cancelled.
Poland is simply transferring the key support mechanisms to the general law on the protection of foreigners. This means that Ukrainians remain under protection, but on an equal footing with other recipients of temporary protection.
Legality of stay is preserved
The main change is the transition to a more formal system. Ukrainians whose documents were automatically extended due to the war retain their legal stay. Applications for legalisation can be submitted until 4 March 2027.
This means that there will be no mass ‘deprivation of status’ — but now it is necessary to follow the procedures more carefully.
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PESEL UKR: now a strict deadline
One of the key innovations is a strict registration rule. Now, after entering Poland, you must apply for PESEL UKR within 30 days.
If you fail to do so:
▪️ temporary protection will be terminated,
▪️ it will be considered a voluntary waiver of status,
▪️ the person will transition to the normal residence regime for foreigners.
In fact, the former flexibility disappears — the system becomes similar to the standard migration one.
Payments and benefits: conditions will become stricter
The Polish authorities clearly state that assistance is support, not a privilege. Under the new rules, access to payments will be more closely linked to integration.
Social assistance will be granted primarily to those who:
▪️ are officially employed,
▪️ pay taxes,
▪️ have children attending Polish schools.
In this way, Poland encourages long-term residence and participation in the economy.
Work and healthcare remain
Despite the repeal of the special law:
▪️ the right to work is retained,
▪️ healthcare is retained,
▪️ children’s education is retained.
It is not access to services that is changing, but the legal framework — Ukrainians are moving from an ‘exception’ to the standard EU temporary protection system.
Get professional advice and prepare for the changes without stress!
Reminder! From February 2026, Poland is revising its approach to social support for Ukrainian families with children. Receiving 800+ payments will depend on a number of new criteria, which are important to consider in advance so as not to lose the right to assistance. Learn more about the new conditions for receiving 800+ payments for Ukrainians in Poland.
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