The long-awaited “Act on the Expiry of Measures under the Ukraine Assistance Law”, published in the Journal of Laws on 24 February 2026 (item 203), will switch the legal basis for nearly one million displaced Ukrainians in Poland from the 2022 special act to the mainstream Foreigners’ Act and social-benefit legislation. The government argues that emergency provisions are no longer needed four years after the initial Russian invasion.
From 5 March 2026, continued stay in Poland will hinge on obtaining a PESEL number with the ‘UKR’ status within 30 days of entry. Refugees who already hold that status retain legal residence until 4 March 2027 but must confirm their identity with a valid travel document by 31 August 2026 or risk downgrading to an irregular status.
The law narrows access to publicly funded healthcare, family benefits and communal accommodation, targeting support at minors, pregnant women and torture survivors. Employers, however, can keep hiring Ukrainians without a labour-market test, and existing simplified work registrations remain valid. The government promises an online portal in April to help refugees transition from temporary protection to a three-year residence permit under Article 106 of the Foreigners’ Act.
![Special war-related rules for Ukrainian refugees to be phased out from 5 March 2026]()
For those feeling overwhelmed by the new requirements, VisaHQ can provide invaluable assistance. Through its Poland portal (https://www.visahq.com/poland/), the company guides applicants through PESEL registrations, residence-permit filings and other immigration formalities, streamlining document preparation and appointment scheduling for both individuals and employers.
Municipalities warn of administrative bottlenecks as hundreds of thousands of people seek to update their documentation. HR departments with large Ukrainian workforces should prepare information campaigns and allocate time for employees to visit civic offices. Failure to regularise status could lead to blocked bank accounts and loss of access to Poland’s e-Government services.
The phasing-out marks a policy shift: Poland is aligning its national framework with the EU Temporary Protection Directive while signalling that long-term integration, rather than open-ended emergency aid, is the new priority.
From 5 March 2026, continued stay in Poland will hinge on obtaining a PESEL number with the ‘UKR’ status within 30 days of entry. Refugees who already hold that status retain legal residence until 4 March 2027 but must confirm their identity with a valid travel document by 31 August 2026 or risk downgrading to an irregular status.
The law narrows access to publicly funded healthcare, family benefits and communal accommodation, targeting support at minors, pregnant women and torture survivors. Employers, however, can keep hiring Ukrainians without a labour-market test, and existing simplified work registrations remain valid. The government promises an online portal in April to help refugees transition from temporary protection to a three-year residence permit under Article 106 of the Foreigners’ Act.
For those feeling overwhelmed by the new requirements, VisaHQ can provide invaluable assistance. Through its Poland portal (https://www.visahq.com/poland/), the company guides applicants through PESEL registrations, residence-permit filings and other immigration formalities, streamlining document preparation and appointment scheduling for both individuals and employers.
Municipalities warn of administrative bottlenecks as hundreds of thousands of people seek to update their documentation. HR departments with large Ukrainian workforces should prepare information campaigns and allocate time for employees to visit civic offices. Failure to regularise status could lead to blocked bank accounts and loss of access to Poland’s e-Government services.
The phasing-out marks a policy shift: Poland is aligning its national framework with the EU Temporary Protection Directive while signalling that long-term integration, rather than open-ended emergency aid, is the new priority.
