Changes to Residence in Poland Affect Hundreds of Thousands of Ukrainians After EU Decision

New EU rules extending temporary protection for Ukrainians introduce a military duty condition, affecting over 950,000 individuals currently holding UKR status in Poland.

Over 950,000 Ukrainians with UKR Status in Poland

Over 950,000 Ukrainian citizens have been granted UKR status in the PESEL register, which is equivalent to enjoying temporary protection in Poland, according to information provided to PAP by the Ministry of Digital Affairs. This year, UKR status has been granted to 47,000 people.

Citizens of Ukraine who arrived in Poland as a result of hostilities and were granted temporary protection receive UKR status in the PESEL register. Data provided to PAP by the Ministry of Digital Affairs shows that 950,900 people with UKR status are currently registered in the PESEL registry. This year, UKR status was granted to 47,000 people, including children of Ukrainians born in Poland.

EU Decision and New Conditions

New European Union regulations have entered into force, extending temporary protection for displaced persons from the territory of Ukraine for one year until March 4, 2028, while introducing an essential condition related to military duty. In Poland, the UKR status in the PESEL register is currently held by over 950,000 people, and the Ministry of Digital Affairs is revealing the latest data while explaining the issue of refusals to grant protection under the new rules.

In August, the Council (EU) implementing decision entered into force, extending temporary protection for displaced persons from Ukraine for one year until March 4, 2028. According to current regulations, temporary protection is granted only to individuals who have fulfilled their military obligations in Ukraine. This restriction does not apply to people who enjoy temporary protection in an EU member state before July 30, 2026, and continuously maintain protective status in that state.

On July 30, EU member states officially agreed to extend temporary protection for refugees from Ukraine by another year to March 4, 2028, and to exclude draft-age men from it. According to one of the articles of the new provision, temporary protection is not granted to individuals who “do not fulfill their military obligations provided for in Ukrainian law and for this reason have not obtained permission from the Ukrainian authorities to leave Ukraine.” The new provision will not apply to Ukrainians who are already covered by temporary protection in the EU. In Ukraine, the age of men subject to general mobilization is from 25 to 60 years.

Ministry Responds on Refusals

Following the restriction of temporary protection grants exclusively to individuals who have fulfilled their military obligations in Ukraine, PAP asked the Ministry of Digital Affairs how many Ukrainians have been denied temporary protection since the new regulations came into force.

The ministry responded that it does not possess such data because information regarding refusals to grant a PESEL number with UKR status and the reasons for such refusals are not recorded in registers, and applications for PESEL with UKR status are processed locally in municipalities.

New Duties and Important Deadlines in Poland

New protection rules for Ukrainian citizens have been in effect in Poland since March. They must submit an application for a Ukrainian PESEL within 30 days of entering Poland, otherwise they risk losing their right to protection. Individuals who obtained a PESEL without presenting documents must update them by the end of August. These regulations were introduced as part of the work on implementing the extension of EU protection until 2027.