Poland: PESEL UKR status and temporary protection extended until 4 March 2027

Temporary protection for Ukrainian citizens in Poland and PESEL UKR status have been extended until 4 March 2027. At the same time, on 5 March 2026 the law winding down the so-called special law (specustawa) on assistance to Ukrainian citizens, adopted in 2022, came into force. This does not mean the abolition of protection, but it changes the legal basis of residence and some benefits. Below is what exactly has changed, which dates are critical, and who needs to act.

What happened: the special law is being wound down, but protection remains

Temporary protection for displaced persons from Ukraine has been extended at the level of the whole EU by Council of the EU Decision (EU) 2025/1460 of 15 July 2025 — by one year, until 4 March 2027. This decision applies directly in all Union countries, so the Polish PESEL UKR status remains valid on this basis.

Separately, Poland adopted a law of 23 January 2026 winding down the decisions arising from the 2022 special law. The President signed it on 19 February 2026, and the law came into force on 5 March 2026. Instead of the emergency regime, the rules on residence, work and other matters are gradually moving to the general Polish laws on foreigners.

Until what date PESEL UKR and temporary protection are valid

According to the official announcement of the Office for Foreigners (UDSC), the legal residence of Ukrainian citizens with PESEL UKR status and temporary protection remain valid until 4 March 2027. In particular:

• certificates (zaświadczenia) of being covered by temporary protection are automatically extended until 4 March 2027 — there is no need to request new documents;
• residence cards and visas that expired after 24 February 2022 are extended until 4 March 2027;
• access to the labour market is retained — work by employer notification (powiadomienie) remains possible.

Key date: confirming identity by 31 August 2026

The most important thing for many Ukrainians: those who obtained a PESEL number with UKR status without presenting a passport or other photo ID must update their data and confirm their identity at the gmina or city office (urząd gminy / urząd miasta) by 31 August 2026.

If this is not done in time, temporary protection will be lost from 1 September 2026 (provided there is no other basis for residence), and with it the right to legal residence. Then another basis will have to be sought, for example a temporary residence permit under the general rules. The details of the obligation are described in materials on the key dates of the winding-down law.

Who this concerns and what to do

• You have PESEL UKR and already showed your passport at registration: your protection has been extended until 4 March 2027, no additional action is needed to retain the status.
• You registered without a photo ID: plan a visit to the office and confirm your identity by 31 August 2026. Do not delay — queues are possible at the offices.
• You plan to stay in Poland longer: find out in advance about switching to a temporary residence permit, since after 4 March 2027 temporary protection may end.

Documents and photos for the office

To confirm identity and for most procedures in Poland you will need a valid passport, and for some applications and residence permits — a photo that meets the Polish biometric requirements (35×45 mm, neutral background). You can prepare a correct photo in advance so as not to get a refusal over the format.

This material is for information purposes. Check your specific situation on the official portal of the Office for Foreigners gov.pl/web/udsc or at your local office, as procedures may be clarified.