Moving from Poland to France or Portugal: what you need to know about temporary protection – explained by lawyers from Visit Ukraine

Are you moving from Poland to France or Portugal and want to obtain temporary protection without the risk of rejection? VU lawyers will explain in simple terms how to properly terminate your PESEL UKR status in Poland, what documents to prepare, and where to go upon arrival. Learn how to safely legalize your status in a new country and preserve all your rights

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Moving from Poland to another European Union country to get temporary protection requires following a clear sequence of steps. Temporary protection can only be granted in one EU member state, and to avoid the risk of rejection, you need to complete the procedures in Poland correctly and submit the documents correctly in France or Portugal.

Below, Visit Ukraine lawyers have prepared simple and clear instructions on how to properly terminate your Polish status and obtain a new one in another country without any problems.

Question: Please advise, if I change my country to Portugal or France, can I apply for temporary protection there, but in such a way that I will not be refused? I am also interested in what documents I need to prepare in order to legalize my status in France or Portugal in the most reliable and secure way?

Is it possible to change the country of temporary protection?

According to EU rules, temporary protection cannot be valid in two countries at the same time.

Therefore, before applying to the authorities in France or Portugal, you need to:

- terminate your PESEL UKR status in Poland;

- obtain written confirmation that your Polish protection has been terminated.

After that, you can legally leave and apply for new temporary protection in the country where you plan to live.

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Where to go after arrival?

The advantage of France and Portugal is that you do not need to register online or apply in advance.

It is enough to apply in person upon arrival.

France

You need to go to the prefecture where you live.

There you submit an application and receive:

APS (Autorisation Provisoire de Séjour) — a temporary residence permit.

This document allows you to work, use medical services, and send your children to school.

Validity period: 6 months, then it can be extended.

Portugal

The application is submitted to:

AIMA (the migration service that replaced SEF), or

the municipal office for Ukrainian support.

After submitting the documents, you will receive a temporary residence permit for a period of 1 year.

It gives you the right to work, study, and use public healthcare.

What documents do you need to prepare?

At the appointment, you will need to submit:

passports of all family members;

confirmation that your Polish temporary protection has been terminated;

documents proving family ties (marriage, birth of children);

proof of residence in France or Portugal (rental agreement or invitation).

It is a good idea to have translations of the main documents — this will speed up the process.

What do you get after obtaining status?

In France and Portugal, the rights of Ukrainians under temporary protection are very similar:

legal residence;

work without additional permits;

free education for children;

access to medical services;

social assistance and integration programs.

An important change in EU policy

On September 16, 2025, the EU Council recommended a gradual transition from temporary protection to national residence mechanisms.

Although protection has been extended until 2027, countries are already encouraging Ukrainians to apply for more stable grounds for residence.

So, to safely change your country of temporary protection, follow this simple algorithm:

1. Terminate your Polish protection and obtain official confirmation.

2. Prepare your documents and translations.

3. Upon arrival, contact the prefecture in France or AIMA in Portugal.

4. Submit your application and obtain a new temporary permit.

This procedure is fully compliant with EU rules and will help your family start a new life in a new country legally and safely.

Legal assistance with migration issues for Ukrainians

The Visit Ukraine team of lawyers helps Ukrainians deal with all migration issues. Our specialists provide:

● advice on temporary protection, residence permits, and other statuses for legalization abroad;

● assistance with the preparation of necessary documents in Ukraine and abroad;

● assistance in choosing a country to move to depending on your budget and legalization plans, support in finding a job and enrolling in foreign universities;

● services for obtaining visas and permits for long-term stays abroad.

Contact Visit Ukraine lawyers to get an individual migration strategy without the risk of fines or loss of status.

To sign up for a consultation:

1. Select a convenient format (support, written or oral consultation).

2. Fill out the form with your details (full name, email, contact phone number).

4. Select a convenient date for the consultation.

5. Read the terms and conditions of the agreement and make the payment.

Not sure which consultation format to choose? Contact our managers via Telegram or WhatsApp – they will help you choose the best option for your situation.

Visit Ukraine is your reliable legal partner abroad!

Reminder! Previously, Visit Ukraine lawyers explained whether it is possible to obtain temporary protection in the Czech Republic after submitting an application in another EU country. Details in our article.

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