Temporary Protection

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:

• Websites: ua.gov.pl, PomagamUkrainie, PracaWPolsce
• Phone: +48 47 721 75 75
• Email: [email protected]

Find out about the help and support provided by UNHCR’s partner organizations in Poland on our Helpful Services page.

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

• Phone: 800 012 948 (Monday – Friday, 8:30am – 4:30pm)
• E-mail: [email protected]

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

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:

• • Medical assistance
  • Finding a job
    • Job portal for Ukrainian refugees
  • Education
  • Social benefits
  • Legal help
  • 24/7 assistance
  • And other Information

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

 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.

Important Health Resources

• How to access health services in Poland?
• Emergency number: 112
• State Emergency Medical Services: 999
• Health-related hotline of WHO for Ukrainians: 800 003 021 (Mon-Fri 8:00-20:00, Sat-Sun 9:00-20:00)
• Health-related hotline of the National Health Fund (24/7):  800 190 590
• Psychological emergency hotline (24/7)
  • For children and teenagers: 800 12 12 12
  • For adults:  800 70 2222
• COVID -19 vaccination point: 989
• Are you and your family protected from Vaccine Preventable Diseases?
• Were you receiving psychiatric treatment in Ukraine?

Information on how to find a missing family member:

• in English
• in Ukrainian
• in Polish

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

• in Ukrainian
• in Russian
• in English

Returning home is a personal decision that should be fully informed, voluntary and take place in conditions of safety and dignity. UNHCR continues to call on countries to allow civilians fleeing Ukraine to access to their territories, and to refrain from returning anyone against their wishes. At UNHCR’s Ukraine is Home website you can find information on short-term and long-term visits to Ukraine including available assistance for returnees to Ukraine.
Do you have a temporary protection status in Poland? On the Ukraine is Home website you can also find information about your right to continued stay and access to services in Poland and how short or extended stay in Ukraine may affect your temporary protection status and assistance in Poland. If you consider returning to Ukraine permanently, you can also find information about administrative procedures that you need to complete in Poland before your departure.”

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:

• For Information from U.S. Embassy Poland: in English and Ukrainian
• For Information from the Canadian government: in English, Ukrainian, and French
• For information from the European Union (EU): in English, Ukrainian, and Russian
• For information from the UK: in English, Ukrainian, and Russian
• Other information for travel outside of the EU: in English

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

UNHCR Cash Program is now closed and new applications are no longer accepted.

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. Find out about the help and support provided by UNHCR’s partner organizations in Poland on our Helpful Services page.