Poland has officially confirmed that temporary protection for Ukrainian citizens will be in effect until March 4, 2026. After this date, the conditions of stay for PESEL UKR status holders will gradually be brought into line with the general rules for foreigners. Visit Ukraine reports.
After the special law expires, Ukrainians will be able to remain in Poland only on general grounds, like citizens of other third countries. At the same time, the Polish authorities are already preparing separate legalization mechanisms specifically for Ukrainians who are in the country under temporary protection.
One of the key options will be to obtain a temporary residence permit, known as a residence card. After September 30, 2025, Ukrainians will be able to apply for temporary residence only once. It is also planned to introduce a special CUKR card, which will allow legal residence in Poland for up to three years and will be aimed specifically at Ukrainians with UKR status.
Another reliable option for those planning long-term residence is the status of a long-term resident of the European Union. To obtain it, you must have at least five years of legal residence in Poland, a stable income for at least three years and knowledge of the Polish language at least level B1. The demand for this status among Ukrainians is already growing, which indicates its attractiveness for integration into Polish society.
In addition, Ukrainians will be able to legalize their stay on standard grounds, including employment or business, studying at Polish educational institutions, family reunification, or humanitarian reasons. Each of these options has its own requirements, but allows for continued legal residence after the end of temporary protection.
Experts advise Ukrainians to decide in advance on the basis for their continued stay in Poland in order to avoid problems with documents after March 2026.
