Help Poland / 2025

Year: 2025

Change of Address of the Border Guard Post in Warsaw

November 7, 2025

    Starting from October 20, it will be possible to submit an application for international protection in Warsaw at the Border Guard office located at Wynalazek 4 Street. All procedures related to issuing or replacing residence cards, as well as implementing alternatives to detention measures, will also be carried out at this address.

    Individuals wishing to apply for international protection may submit the appropriate application at any Border Guard post when crossing the border or while staying in the territory of the country.

    Until now, applications for international protection in Warsaw could be submitted at the Border Guard service point (“window” No. 5) located in the Office for Foreigners headquarters at Taborowa 33 Street.

    From October 20 of this year, persons applying for international protection are advised to approach the Border Guard at the new location in Warsaw at Wynalazek 4 Street (4th floor, “Wynalazek Tower” building).

    Source: Office for Foreigners – Gov.pl Portal

    Special Act amendments

    September 24, 2025

      You may know that a new version of the Act on assistance to Ukrainian citizens in connection with armed conflict on the territory of that state (the so-called “Special Act”) – the main Act which implements the rights under EU law for refugees from Ukraine in Poland – is currently awaiting the President’s signature, after the previous amendments were vetoed.

      The current Special Act is valid until 30 September 2025.

      You may have some concerns in relation to this.  

      Your individual legal situation and your needs are unique and it is important to consult a lawyer to discuss your specific situation.

      ❗️ If you arrived prior to February 2022, we urge you to take note of the information on this page (under the section “Citizens of Ukraine whose stay in Poland is not related to the armed conflict”) and seek legal advice accordingly (you can find a list of organisations that can help at the bottom of this message).

      ❗️ If you arrived after February 2022, please remember that even though the amendments have not been signed into law, this does not mean you will automatically lose your rights. You still have the right to legal status, access to healthcare, work, and education in Poland. The EU Temporary Protection Directive (which underpins your rights in Poland) is in force until 4 March 2027.The EU law is directly applicable and legally binding in Poland and the protection enacted in the Directive remains valid.

      After the President’s veto on 25 August, a new piece of law was developed by the Government. It has been approved by Parliament and is now with the President. Until we know more about the outcome of the President’s decision, We strongly advise you not to make any rushed decisions about your status or apply for a different legal status without first consulting a lawyer. Some choices can have serious and lasting effects on your future.

      For example- the new law contains provisions which limit access to temporary protection/PESEL UKR in Poland for persons who have previously obtained a similar status in another EU country, this is also the case in some other EU countries. Therefore, you may not be able to return to Poland in the future after you obtain temporary protection elsewhere.

      Your individual legal situation is unique and consulting a lawyer to discuss your situation is important.

      The organisations listed below provide legal assistance free of charge and have relevant experience and expertise in supporting refugees from Ukraine in Poland:

      Presidential veto on the amendments to the Special Act

      August 26, 2025

        You may have seen the President has vetoed the amendments to the Special Act – the main Act which implements the rights under EU law for refugees from Ukraine in Poland.  

        You may have some concerns in relation to this.  

        Please note that the fact that the amendments have not been signed into law does not mean you have lost your rights, including your right to legal status and access to healthcare, employment and education.

        The Special Act in Poland is valid until 30 September 2025 and the EU Temporary Protection Directive (which underpins your rights in Poland) is in force until 4 March 2027. The EU law is directly applicable and legally binding in Poland and the protection enacted in the Directive remains valid. After the veto by the President, the works in the Parliament have been reassumed. A draft new amendment will be soon decided upon. We are waiting for these new legal solutions to take shape. We are monitoring the situation and will share more information as soon as it is available.

        In the meantime, we urge you NOT to make any rushed decisions concerning your status or applying for alternative legalization statuses. Each individual situation should be consulted with a lawyer in order to fully analyze all available options.

        A list of partner organizations that provide legal assistance is available on the Helpful Services page.

        ? Scholarships Available: Summer School on European Immigration and Asylum Law and Policy (?Deadline to Apply: 1 June 2025)

        May 9, 2025

        The Odysseus Academic Network, in collaboration with UNHCR, invites applications from refugees for the 25th edition of its prestigious Summer School on European Immigration and Asylum Law and Policy, taking place in Brussels from 30 June to 11 July 2025.

        ? What the Scholarship Covers:

        • Full registration fees
        • Travel costs
        • Accommodation for the entire duration of the Summer School

        ? Who Can Apply:

        • Individuals officially recognized as refugees or beneficiaries of subsidiary or temporary protection in a European country (Asylum seekers are not eligible). Preference may be given to those granted protection between 2023–2025
        • Hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in Law or a related field, or have equivalent professional experience (e.g., with NGOs)
        • Have a working knowledge of English or French

        ? How to Apply (by 1 June 2025):

        1. Fill in the online form here. Select the “Refugee” option under course fees.

        2. Send the following documents by email to [email protected]:

        • Your CV, detailing your education and/or relevant experience,
        • A short motivation letter explaining how attending the Summer School would benefit you,
        • Proof of protection status, including the country that granted it and the date,
        • A copy of your residence permit,
        • A copy of your passport or ID card if you have one
        • Please merge all these documents into one single PDF file before submitting. (Tip: Use tools like iLovePDF to merge your documents)

        ? Hear from Past Participants:

        ? For more information, please contact: [email protected]

        Guide on School Education for Non-Polish Citizens

        February 10, 2025

        The Office for Foreigners has prepared a new guide on school education for non-Polish citizens. It is available in ten languages. In the guide, you will find information about:

        • preschool preparation (zero grade)
        • primary and secondary schools
        • admission rules
        • enrollment dates
        • required documents
        • forms of support and facilitation in schools.

        The guide can be downloaded HERE.