Temporary Protection in Poland for Ukrainians in 2026: PESEL UKR, CUKR Card, and New Rules

On March 5, 2026, Poland drastically changed its approach to temporary protection for Ukrainians. The special law (Ustawa o pomocy obywatelom Ukrainy) ceased to be in effect in its previous form. Instead, the country switched to a general temporary protection system according to the EU Directive.

Legal residence under the PESEL UKR status has been automatically extended until March 4, 2027, but new obligations regarding data verification, deadlines for document renewal, and a transitional format have been introduced – the CUKR residence card. This article explains each aspect: who is eligible, what rights are retained, what to do right now, and where hidden pitfalls may lie.

Temporary Protection in Poland: Legal Specifics

Temporary protection is based on EU Directive 2001/55/EC, activated in 2022 after the full-scale invasion. The European Council extended this directive until March 4, 2027. However, Poland operated under a separate Special Law until March 5, 2026, which provided Ukrainians with more benefits than the general EU directive.

After March 5, 2026, as explained by UNHCR Poland, temporary protection will be regulated by the Law on Protection of Foreigners on the Territory of the Republic of Poland. This does not mean the cancellation of protection – the rules for its confirmation and access to social services are changing.

Conditions for Temporary Protection in Poland for Ukrainians

Ukrainian citizens and their family members who meet the following criteria are eligible for temporary protection in Poland:

• Crossed the Polish border after February 24, 2022, due to armed aggression.
• Hold Ukrainian citizenship or are family members of a Ukrainian citizen.
• Do not have another type of residence permit in the EU that grants equivalent protection.
• Have applied for PESEL UKR within 30 days after entering Poland (new requirement since 2026).

Who is not eligible for temporary protection:

• Ukrainian citizens who were residing in Poland before February 24, 2022, on other grounds.
• Persons who have already received refugee status or additional protection in another EU country.
• Third-country nationals who are not family members of Ukrainians.

PESEL UKR – The Main Document for Temporary Protection

As of 2026, obtaining temporary protection in Poland requires mandatory registration for PESEL UKR within 30 days after entry. Applications can be submitted in person at the local municipal office (gmina).

For checking status and access to online services, the Obywatel.pl portal (for managing state affairs online) and the Dii.pl app – the Polish equivalent of the Ukrainian "Dii" – are used to verify identity and UKR status in digital form. Both services serve as additional identification tools but do not replace physical verification with a foreign passport at the gmina.

What is PESEL UKR

PESEL is the identification number in the Polish population registration system. PESEL with the UKR status (PESEL UKR) is a special designation confirming that the person is in Poland under temporary protection. This is not a separate document but a status in the registry.

Difference between regular PESEL and PESEL UKR:

• Regular PESEL is given to all registered residents of Poland – it does not, by itself, grant the right to work or benefits.
• PESEL UKR confirms temporary protection and automatically grants the right to legal residence, employment without permission, and access to some social services.

How to Obtain PESEL UKR

As of 2026, obtaining PESEL UKR is more complicated than in 2022-2023. New requirements include:

• A valid foreign passport (since July 1, 2024).
• Personal appearance at the municipality (urząd gminy), including for children.
• Biometrics (fingerprints) even for minors.
• Application submission within 30 days after entering Poland.

Step-by-step guide:

• Prepare documents: valid foreign passport, documents for children (birth certificates with translation).
• Visit the gmina office at your place of residence.
• Fill out an application for PESEL registration with UKR status.
• Submit biometric data (fingerprints, photo).
• Receive registration confirmation – usually within a few days.

Important: If you obtained PESEL UKR earlier without presenting a foreign passport (for example, with a birth certificate), you need to update your data by August 31, 2026. To do so, visit the gmina office with a valid passport. If this is not done, the status will automatically change to NUE starting from September 1, 2026, meaning illegal residence.

What Rights Does PESEL UKR Provide?

The PESEL UKR status grants the following rights:

• Legal residence in Poland until March 4, 2027.
• Right to work without a separate work permit.
• Access to the state healthcare system (with limitations since 2026 – some services are tied to insurance status).
• Right to attend public schools for children.
• Access to higher education in public universities (conditions are changing – free education may be limited starting March 5, 2026).
• Right to register business activity under the same conditions as Polish citizens.
• Access to social benefits (800+, Dobry Start, and others).

Can I Leave Poland While Under Temporary Protection?

** Yes, but with limitations.**

Under previous rules, leaving Poland under temporary protection for more than 30 days led to the cancellation of UKR status. The new rules are somewhat softened for CUKR cardholders (up to 6 months), but risks remain for PESEL UKR holders without a residence card:

• Long absence may result in losing access to benefits.
• Re-registration is possible but requires a new application.
• Frequent short trips are now tracked by border control and may lead to verification.

Extension of Temporary Protection

Poland has extended temporary protection for Ukrainians under the European-wide decision. Current terms:

• PESEL UKR is valid until March 4, 2027 – confirmed by UNHCR Poland.
• Residence cards whose validity expired after February 24, 2022, are automatically extended until March 4, 2027.
• The extension happens automatically – no application is needed.
• However, data verification (foreign passport) is mandatory by August 31, 2026, for those who registered without a photo document.

Payments and Aid for Ukrainians in Poland

This protection grants access to a range of social payments. As of 2026, most programs are maintained, but some conditions have changed. Available payments for PESEL UKR holders under temporary protection:

• 800+ (Świadczenie wychowawcze) – 800 PLN per month for each child up to 18 years.
• Dobry Start (Good Start) – 300 PLN one-time aid before the start of the school year for each child attending a Polish school.
• Rodzinny Kapitał Opiekuńczy – up to 12,000 PLN for families with two or more children under 3 years old.
• One-time birth aid – 1,000 PLN.
• Active in Work – 1,500 PLN per month per child (1,900 PLN for children with disabilities), from 12 to 35 months, provided that the parents are employed.
• Active in Nursery – compensation for nursery expenses up to 1,500 PLN per month.
• Active at Home – 500 PLN per month per child aged 12–35 months, regardless of employment status.

How to Apply for Social Assistance

Applications are submitted online via the following platforms:

• PUE ZUS (Electronic Services Platform).
• mZUS app.
• Emp@tia portal.
• Internet banking (for certain payments).

Required documents:

• Valid PESEL UKR with biometric data.
• Bank account in Poland.
• Profil zaufany (trusted profile) – created via ePUAP or a banking app.

What Has Changed Since 2026: Some free medical services are now tied to insurance status. If you are officially employed, the employer contributes to NFZ. If not, access to healthcare is limited to emergency services and services for vulnerable categories (children, pregnant women, people with disabilities).

CUKR – A New Document for Long-Term Stay in Poland

Conditions for obtaining temporary protection in Poland require registration for PESEL UKR within 30 days after entry – in person at the municipality office with a foreign passport. Status can be verified via Obywatel.pl or the Dii.pl app, which confirms identity and UKR status in digital format. However, these services do not replace physical verification at the municipality office.

What is CUKR?

CUKR (czasowe uregulowanie kwestii pobytu) – a new type of residence permit for a period of 3 years. It was created specifically for Ukrainian citizens with PESEL UKR status.

The key difference from PESEL UKR:

• PESEL UKR – is a status in the registry that depends on the continuation of temporary protection at the EU level.
• CUKR – is a physical residence card (residence permit) which provides a more stable legal status for 3 years.
• After obtaining UKR status, the previous CUKR is automatically canceled.
• The time spent with CUKR counts towards future permanent residency status in the EU.

How to Obtain CUKR

The right to the CUKR card is available to Ukrainians who meet the following conditions:

Reside in Poland under temporary protection. Had Ukrainian citizenship as of June 4, 2025, and retain it. Have continuously held UKR status for at least 365 days. Have complete data in the PESEL UKR registry (photo, fingerprints, valid passport)

The card can also be obtained by children – both those born in Ukraine and in Poland.

Step-by-Step Guide:

• Create an account on the MOS portal (Modyfikowany Obieg Spraw).

• Complete the application online – submissions are exclusively electronic.

• Sign the application with a trusted profile (profil zaufany), e-signature, or personal signature.
• Upload a photo and payment confirmation.
• Wait for the decision – exact processing times will be announced after the full launch of the system.
• Collect the finished card within 60 days – otherwise, it becomes invalid.

Important: The system will automatically reject applications if key information is missing in the PESEL UKR data – valid passport, fingerprints, or signature sample. Check your data in advance.

Rights of the CUKR Cardholder:

• Legal residence in Poland for 3 years.
• Right to work without restrictions.
• Right to run a business.
• Ability to leave Poland for up to 6 months without losing the permit.
• Time spent on CUKR counts towards future EU long-term residency.
• Access to medical services via insurance contributions (NFZ).

Common Mistakes and Expert Tips

The transitional period of 2026 creates risks that can be avoided. Here are the most common mistakes:

Losing UKR status due to untimely verification. If you registered for PESEL UKR without a foreign passport, visit the municipality office by August 31, 2026. After September 1, the status will change to NUE, meaning the loss of legal residence.

Incorrect or incomplete data in the registry. Before applying for CUKR, check that the system contains:

• Current personal data.
• Valid foreign passport.
• Fingerprints.
• Signature sample.
• Current photo.

Missed 30-day deadline for newcomers. From 2026, newcomers must apply for PESEL UKR within 30 days after crossing the border. Missing this deadline may be considered a refusal of temporary protection.

Leaving without checking the rules. Before any departure from Poland, clarify the current restrictions for your specific status. Rules for PESEL UKR and CUKR differ.

Untimely receipt of the completed CUKR card. The card must be collected within 60 days of its readiness. If not, the permit will be canceled.

FAQ – Answers to Common Questions

Is it mandatory to obtain PESEL UKR?

Yes, if you want to take advantage of the temporary protection rights in Poland. Without PESEL UKR, you will not have access to employment without a permit, social payments, or healthcare under temporary protection.

Can I work without PESEL UKR or CUKR?

Ukrainians legally residing in Poland without PESEL UKR status can work without additional permits for the next 3 years. However, for official employment, it is easier for the employer to work with someone who has PESEL UKR or CUKR.

What should I do if I lose UKR status?

If the status is canceled due to prolonged absence or untimely verification, contact the Voivodeship Office for Foreigners. Alternative legalization options: residence card based on work, study, family reunification, or business activity.

How to switch from PESEL UKR to CUKR?

Submit the application online via the MOS portal. After receiving CUKR, the UKR status will automatically be canceled. Note: with the UKR status, some benefits specifically tied to temporary protection will be lost. Instead, CUKR provides a more stable status and counts toward long-term residency.

Will the 800+ payments remain after switching to CUKR?

Yes, the 800+ and Dobry Start (300+) payments remain available for CUKR holders.

Can I open a business in Poland with PESEL UKR?

Yes. Ukrainians with UKR status or a CUKR card retain the right to engage in business activities under the same conditions as Polish citizens. For businesses opened before March 5, 2026, nothing changes. New businesses after this date for persons without UKR will be subject to general rules for foreigners.

Conclusion

Temporary protection in Poland for Ukrainians in 2026 remains in place, but the rules have become more complex. The PESEL UKR status is valid until March 4, 2027, but it requires data verification by the end of August 2026. The CUKR card offers a new opportunity to obtain a three-year residence permit with more rights and time counted towards EU residency. The 800+ and Dobry Start payments are preserved, but healthcare is gradually transitioning to an insurance-based system.

Main advice: do not delay updating your data and decide on the legalization format now – before the transitional period ends.

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