For Ukrainian citizens

UKR Status: temporary protection, PESEL UKR and renewal

A separate legal status for Ukrainian citizens and their families — simplified PESEL registration with UKR status, access to work, healthcare and schools without a residence card. We help you file, renew, or transition to a full residence permit.

What UKR status gives you

Rights on par with legal residence

PESEL with UKR status is a simplified alternative to a residence card for the duration of temporary protection.

Legal residence

The right to stay in Poland without a visa or residence card for the entire protection period.

Right to work

Employers can hire under UKR status without a separate work permit.

Healthcare and school

Access to public healthcare (NFZ) and school education for children on par with citizens.

Benefits and allowances

Right to family benefits (800+) and one-time assistance while holding the status.

Who qualifies

Check whether this status fits your situation

Usually applies if you:

Are a Ukrainian citizen who arrived in Poland after February 24, 2022
Are the spouse of a Ukrainian citizen, even without Ukrainian citizenship
Are a child who left Ukraine together with the family
Previously resided permanently in Ukraine and cannot return

This status won’t fit if you:

Already hold a residence card on another basis (work, study)
Permanently resided in another EU country before the war
Arrived in Poland before February 24, 2022 on other grounds
Plan permanent residence — then it makes more sense to apply for residence directly

Filing and renewal

How to get or renew PESEL UKR

First-time PESEL registration with UKR status

Passport or another identity document
Completed application form (wniosek o nadanie numeru PESEL)
A color photo meeting the required standard
In-person visit to the Urząd Gminy/Miasta at your actual place of stay

Status renewal (if protection is extended by law)

Renewal usually happens automatically at the legal level, but some scenarios require status confirmation — we’ll check the current requirements at the time of your request and prepare documents if confirmation is needed.

Switching status to a residence card

Relevant if you plan to stay in Poland long-term
Filing for temporary residence (work, study, business, family)
UKR status can be kept in parallel until a residence decision is issued
Consultation on choosing the most advantageous basis for residence
Separately: documents for the CUKR card — passport, PESEL UKR must have been obtained by June 4, 2025, continuous PESEL UKR status as of March 4, 2024 of at least 365 days, filed only through MOS

If PESEL UKR is lost or blocked

Checking the reason for the block (e.g. an extended absence from Poland)
Preparing explanations and restoring status where possible
Alternative: filing for legalization on general grounds

Setting up mObywatel and Profil Zaufany

Profil Zaufany is needed to file most applications online (including via MOS)
mObywatel is an app with digital documents, useful for everyday needs in Poland
We’ll help set up both services and link them to your PESEL

Worth checking

Is your status valid right now

Temporary protection is periodically extended by separate decisions — we confirm the current date and requirements before each consultation.

Status typeTemporary protection (UKR)

Who confirms renewalEU Council decision / PL law

Do you need to renew it yourselfChecked individually

What to do when it expiresSwitch to residence or a new basis

We check the current expiry date of protection and whether an in-person visit is required for renewal at the time of your request — deadlines are periodically changed by separate government decisions.