How to legalize your stay in Poland after temporary protection: tips for Ukrainians

Poland has officially confirmed the end of temporary protection for Ukrainians in March 2026, so the rules for staying in the country are gradually changing. Ukrainian citizens need to take care of the new grounds for legalization in advance and choose the optimal status. Find out more about the available options for legal residence and the key requirements for continuing your life in Poland

Legal assistance on migration issues for Ukrainians in Ukraine and abroad

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After the President of Poland signed the next and final amendment to the special law, it became clear that temporary protection for Ukrainians will end on March 4, 2026. This means that the rules of residence for holders of the UKR status will begin to align with the requirements applicable to all other foreigners in the country. At the same time, Poland is already working on new mechanisms to support Ukrainians, including a special CUKR residence card and simplified conditions for obtaining long-term EU residence.

Below, we analyze what options for legalizing your stay will be available after temporary protection ends and what you need to do in advance to avoid risks.

In our previous article, we told you that Poland has updated the rules for applying for temporary residence as of December 1, 2025.

Don't know how to act in your situation? Contact Visit Ukraine lawyers and get answers to all your questions!

What options for legalization of stay will be available after the temporary protection ends?

After March 4, 2026, Ukrainians with PESEL UKR will be able to use the same grounds for legal residence as other third-country nationals. Some of these mechanisms are already being worked out by the government, while others have been in place for a long time.

Temporary residence (residence card) under the new rules

The amendment to the law stipulates that after September 30, 2025, Ukrainians will be able to apply for a temporary residence permit only once. At the same time, the state is working on a new type of CUKR card, which will give the right to stay legally in Poland for three years. It is expected that the new document will be introduced specifically for Ukrainian citizens with UKR status.

We told you about what CUKR is and how to obtain this status in this material.

Obtaining long-term EU resident status

This is one of the most stable types of legalization. An application can be submitted by those who:

- Legally residing in Poland for at least 5 years;

- Have a stable income for at least 3 years;

- Confirmed knowledge of Polish language at B1 level or higher.

According to Gazeta Prawna, the number of applications for long-term residence has increased sixfold compared to 2020, which indicates the growing popularity of this mechanism among Ukrainians.

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Other grounds for residence

Depending on their life situation, Ukrainians can also legalize their stay through:

1. Work and business;

2. Studying at a university;

3. Family reunification;

4. Humanitarian grounds.

Each of these options has its own requirements and procedures, but they allow you to maintain the continuity of legal residence after the expiration of the special law.

Polish migration legislation is becoming increasingly complex, and new procedures are more technological. In such conditions, the support of a specialist helps to avoid risks and speed up the receipt of the necessary documents.

A migration lawyer is a specialist who supports all processes related to moving, staying and legalization abroad. As part of the consultation, you will receive:

- Analysis of your situation, taking into account the latest changes in Polish legislation;

- Individual advice and explanations of what documents are needed in your case;

- Step-by-step application plan to avoid mistakes and refusals;

- Answers to all questions regarding staying, working or moving family members.

This is a solution for those who want to act confidently, save time and avoid risks when processing documents.

Sign up for a consultation today - get professional support and solve your migration issues quickly and correctly!

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.

We remind you! Ukrainians remain one of the most active labor communities in Poland, working in key sectors of the economy and gradually integrating into the local labor market. Despite the difference in salaries with Poles, the level of employment, education and language adaptation continues to grow. Read more about where Ukrainians work in Poland and how much they earn.

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