The number of young Ukrainians in Poland has increased: the country has named the reason

In recent months, the migration picture in Poland has changed significantly: statistics show an unexpected shift in the age of Ukrainians who are obtaining legal status in the country. Experts are analysing the latest data, border figures and government decisions that have influenced the dynamics of entry and temporary protection. Find out what exactly caused the increase in the number of young Ukrainians and how this affects the situation in Poland and other EU countries

Order a transfer from Visit Ukraine – it's easy, convenient, and affordable!

ORDER

In recent months, Poland has seen noticeable changes in the structure of Ukrainians legalising their stay in the country. This primarily concerns the increase in the proportion of young Ukrainian citizens, which has already attracted the attention of analysts and state institutions.

According to Polish media reports, between the end of August and the beginning of November, nearly 50,000 Ukrainians applied for a PESEL UKR number, a key document for temporary protection. In total, more than two million people have taken advantage of this status during the programme's lifetime, but less than a million remain active.

What is UKR status and how does it work?

Temporary protection status for Ukrainians was introduced in Poland in the spring of 2022. It gives the right to legal residence, work, medical care and social benefits. At the same time, the status automatically expires if a person leaves Poland for more than 30 days. Upon returning to the country, it can be reissued.

According to experts, it is this mechanism that has become one of the factors behind the new surge in applications for legalisation.

Why has the number of young Ukrainians increased?

Analysts point to a change in the age and gender structure of applicants. In the last two months, there has been an increase in the proportion of men aged 18 to 65 applying for legalisation of their stay. At the same time, the proportion of women has decreased slightly.

The key reason cited is changes in border crossing rules. Since the end of August 2025, Ukrainian men aged 18 to 22 have been granted the right to freely leave Ukraine. This decision had an almost immediate impact on migration statistics.

Representatives of the Polish Economic Institute note that initial data indicate a significant increase in the number of young men arriving in Poland after these rules came into force.

Don't want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

How many young Ukrainians entered Poland

According to the border service, from the end of August to the end of November, more than 120,000 Ukrainian citizens aged 18–22 entered Poland. About half of them stayed in the country for a longer period or continued their journey to other European Union countries.

Experts emphasise that this is not just a matter of short-term trips, but a real increase in migration flows, which is affecting the labour market, the education system and social infrastructure.

A similar situation in other EU countries

Similar trends are observed in other countries in the region. For example, the Czech Republic has also seen a sharp increase in the number of Ukrainians seeking temporary protection. Almost 400,000 refugees from Ukraine already live there, which is one of the highest figures in the EU in terms of population.

The Czech authorities directly link the increase in the number of applications to the same changes in the rules for young men to leave the country, which have made migration more accessible for this age group.

If you are planning trips between cities in Ukraine and Poland or other European cities, it is worth taking care of transportation in advance. The Visit Ukraine platform offers transfers between Ukrainian and European cities — a convenient way to plan your trip for the holidays, avoid transfers, and tailor the route to your own schedule.

Reminder! The Polish authorities are preparing major changes to the rules for Ukrainians' stay, which may change the usual procedure for accessing healthcare, social benefits and legalisation. The special status that has been in effect since the beginning of the war is gradually becoming a thing of the past, and general migration requirements are replacing it. Find out how the possible abolition of special status will affect the lives of Ukrainian migrants in Poland and what steps will help them adapt to the new conditions.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance - insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;

Green Card - compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;

Visit Ukraine Tickets - book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;

Private Lawyer service - professional legal support on visa and migration issues;

Visit Ukraine Merch - buy patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

© 2018-2025, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.