Temporary Protection

The Government of the Republic of Poland grants temporary protection to displaced persons from Ukraine. If you are NOT a displaced person from Ukraine, please visit the International Protection page.

Detailed information and links to resources are available in the tabs below:

Important resources for you and your family

For up-to-date information from the Government of Poland for non-Ukrainian citizens coming from Ukraine: visit here.

The Polish government has also established an official website, phone line, and e-mail with information and resources for citizens of Ukraine:

For in-person assistance you may visit our Community Centers

You can also contact UNHCR (available in English, Polish, Russian, Ukrainian) directly for any questions at:

UNHCR Cash Assistance

Targeted Assistance for Most Vulnerable

Important: UNHCR Cash Program is now closed and new applications are no longer accepted. Enrolment stopped in December. If you have not heard from UNHCR by December 2023, you should no longer expect to be invited due to the closure of the program.


What is the UNHCR Cash Program?

UNHCR was providing multi-purpose cash assistance to particularly vulnerable refugee families and individuals. The program was designed to provide targeted assistance to help refugees meet basic needs. More than 320,000 refugees have been supported.


Who was eligible for the Program?

Each case was assessed on its merits and the final decision was made by UNHCR based on the outcome of an in-person interview. However, to be considered for assistance, a person needed to meet the following minimum criteria:

  1. The applicant is an asylum-seeker, refugee, humanitarian, or other protective status holder, and 
  2. The applicant has one of these protection needs: a family with at least one child (under 18) or older person (55 or older), unaccompanied or separated child, pregnant woman, person with disability, or person with serious medical condition); and
  3. The applicant is economically vulnerable (e.g., has no source of income that could cover their basic needs; and has not benefitted before from any cash program from any organization in Poland which might be checked by UNHCR, except of 300 PLN or 500+ child benefit from the Polish Government).


Can I apply?

UNHCR Cash Program is now closed. If your family is considered for this program and referred for an interview, you will be contacted directly. If you do not hear from UNHCR before mid-December 2023, you should no longer expect to be invited due to the closure of the program. Important: Even if you were invited for an interview, there is no guarantee that you will receive assistance. The final decision will be taken at the interview when your eligibility is assessed. 


Further information

If you need further information, you may contact UNHCR by phone at 800 012 948 (Monday-Friday, 8:30-16:30).  

Please also note that you may find information about the available financial assistance offered by the Government of Poland in the Association For Legal Intervention’s booklet. 

Staying in Poland

LEGALISATION OF STAY

If you are a Ukrainian citizen or a spouse of a Ukrainian citizen and you left Ukraine on 24 February 2022 or later your stay in Poland is legal until September 30, 2025, provided that no other provisions are issued by that date.

INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION

Persons who submitted applications for international protection (refugee status) may withdraw these applications in order to be able to benefit under the Special Law.

Personal Identification Number (PESEL)

The above-mentioned persons must first obtain a PESEL number. For this purpose, they should prepare biometric photographs and copies of their identity documents and go to the local municipal office (Urząd Miasta). Then they shall submit an application (also available in Ukrainian) along with the photographs, show the originals of identity documents and provide their copies. Their fingerprints will also be taken. Once an applicant provides his/her telephone number and an e-mail address in the application form, it is also possible to automatically create a Trusted Profile (Profil Zaufany), which facilitates communication with public authorities and makes it possible to handle many official matters via the Internet.

DIIA.PL

This document gives the right to cross the Polish border in the direction of entry from the territory of Ukraine during the entire period of recognition of the legal stay of a citizen of Ukraine in Poland on the basis of the Special Act, regardless of whether the foreigner has the right to visa-free days or not.

The Diia.pl document is available in the mObywatel mobile application, which can be downloaded to a mobile phone with Android and iOS systems.

Any citizen of Ukraine over 13 and their spouses can use the mObywatel app, which grants access to the diia.pl document. As of 5 June 2023, it is now possible for children below the age of 13 to be registered in the mObywatel app of their parents/ legal guardians. You can find more information here: Diia.pl for children in the mObywatel application.

For additional information, contact Halina Niec Legal Aid Center’s helpline for refugees from Ukraine: +48 725 449 374 or visit the website www.pomocprawna.org.

If you are NOT coming from Ukraine, please see information on accessing international protection in Poland: Accessing International Protection

Accessing Services in Poland

Anyone leaving Ukraine who needs help can go to a reception center or information point

  • You can go to a reception center from the border, or to any information point at railway stations.

On the Government of Poland’s dedicated website (ua.gov.pl), you can find information about:

You can also ask for help or services through the Government of Poland website: https://pomagamukrainie.gov.pl/

Dedicated services for women

 Centrum Praw Kobiet

Information, general and specialized support for Ukrainian women including women who have experienced gender-based violence (GBV). Phone operators have received basic GBV training, can facilitate referrals to GBV specialists and arrange face-to-face psychological and legal counseling.

  • +48 800 10 77 77 (Ukrainian language), Monday – Friday 10:00-18:00
  • +48 600 070 717 (Polish language), 24 hours / 7 days per week

Feminoteka

Hotline for women and adolescents who experience violence including sexual violence. Referrals for psychological, social support, and legal assistance.

  • +48 888 88 79 88 (Ukrainian and Russian languages), Monday – Friday 14:00-19:00
  • +48 888 883 388 (Polish language), Monday – Friday 11:00-19:00

FEDERA

Sexual and reproductive health hotline for ALL.

  • +48 22 635 93 93 (Polish language), Monday – Friday 16:00- 22:00
  • +48 573 185 626 (Ukrainian and Polish languages), Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 17:00-21:00 (For Legal Counseling)

People with disability and their caregivers

If you are a person with disability or their caregiver, contact Mudita Association (Whatsapp +48 539 866 471, Mon-Fri, 10.00-18.00, [email protected]) for support with:

  • information provision (disability certificates, benefits, etc.)
  • finding housing, therapy or specialist care
  • stay at a reception center (Kraków, Warsaw)
  • participation in support groups for caregivers
  • assistance in obtaining specialized equipment (e.g. wheelchairs)

To obtain a Polish certificate of disability, visit a doctor who will issue a health certificate on a special, designated form (inform the doctor that you need this document in order to obtain a disability certificate). With such a health certificate (not older than 30 days) and any Ukrainian medical documentation you have, visit Disability Adjudication Team where you will be asked to complete a short application form. After the visit, be sure to check your mailbox, as you will receive an appointment to meet with the commission that will assess your condition.

Detailed information for people with disability can be found in the Association for Legal Intervention’s booklet, available in Polish and in Ukrainian.

Dedicated services for the LGBTIAQ+ Community

LAMBDA Warsaw 🏳️‍🌈

Shelter for refugees from Ukraine who experience violence or discrimination based on their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Resources in other cities can be found here: https://ukraina.paradarownosci.eu/

Free Polish language courses

Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) offers a free Polish language course for people arriving from Ukraine: click here

Free Polish language course offered by eTutor: click here

Powiat Labour Offices organize free Polish language courses for citizens of Ukraine with a status of an unemployed person. Contact the nearest Powiat Labour Office to learn more.

Important Health Resources

Important Health Resources

 

Family reunification

Information on how to find a missing family member:

Additional information on family unity and family reunification for persons fleeing Ukraine:

Relocation to the United States, Canada, or another country

Any person wishing to relocate to another country must directly consult that country’s Embassy websites or information portals about procedures

  • UNHCR does not conduct resettlement out of Poland and cannot help with travel
  • UNHCR in Poland does not conduct refugee status procedures to facilitate relocation

Country-specific Information:

More information about the United States and Canada

If you feel you are in danger of human trafficking

If you feel you are in danger of human trafficking, call 112, or the La Strada helpline for trafficking: +48 226280120

Tips to Protect Yourself from Fraud and Exploitation