A detailed legal brief published on 7 April 2026 by Warsaw-based law firm BKT Kancelaria unpacks the consequences of Poland’s new “extinction law”, which on 5 March formally replaced the fast-track protections granted to Ukrainians who fled Russia’s 2022 invasion. While headlines suggested an end to special rights, the analysis points out that most holders of the PESEL-UKR personal identification number now have their stay secured until at least 4 March 2027—giving both individuals and employers a critical planning horizon. Under the new framework Ukrainian citizens fall back onto Poland’s mainstream Foreigners Act and labour-market regulations.
![Post-5 March reforms clarify legal status of 1 million Ukrainian residents in Poland]()
Amid these regulatory shifts, employers and Ukrainian nationals can tap VisaHQ’s dedicated Poland services to navigate PESEL updates, residence-card applications and Blue-Card filings with confidence; the platform’s step-by-step tools and live support (https://www.visahq.com/poland/) keep paperwork on track and minimise costly delays.
Those whose PESEL was issued on the basis of a valid travel document receive an automatic extension; others must update their files within 90 days. The law also codifies access to education and healthcare and confirms that employers can continue to hire Ukrainians on simplified declarations without labour-market tests. For HR teams the biggest shift is procedural: work-authorisation notices must now be filed electronically via the praca.gov.pl portal, and social-security contributions are due from day one, ending the pandemic-era grace period. BKT warns that inspectors have already launched audits of construction and hospitality firms that rely heavily on Ukrainian labour. The Central Statistical Office estimates that foreigners—predominantly Ukrainians—now make up 6.8 % of Poland’s workforce. Manufacturing hubs in Silesia and Greater Poland could face shortages if employers fail to convert temporary protection into longer-term residence permits before the 2027 deadline. Companies are therefore urged to: 1) map employees’ PESEL status, 2) budget for residence-card fees, and 3) prepare for longer processing times at overstretched voivodeship offices. The law firm recommends beginning Blue-Card or permanent-residence filings by early 2027 to avoid a last-minute scramble.
Amid these regulatory shifts, employers and Ukrainian nationals can tap VisaHQ’s dedicated Poland services to navigate PESEL updates, residence-card applications and Blue-Card filings with confidence; the platform’s step-by-step tools and live support (https://www.visahq.com/poland/) keep paperwork on track and minimise costly delays.
Those whose PESEL was issued on the basis of a valid travel document receive an automatic extension; others must update their files within 90 days. The law also codifies access to education and healthcare and confirms that employers can continue to hire Ukrainians on simplified declarations without labour-market tests. For HR teams the biggest shift is procedural: work-authorisation notices must now be filed electronically via the praca.gov.pl portal, and social-security contributions are due from day one, ending the pandemic-era grace period. BKT warns that inspectors have already launched audits of construction and hospitality firms that rely heavily on Ukrainian labour. The Central Statistical Office estimates that foreigners—predominantly Ukrainians—now make up 6.8 % of Poland’s workforce. Manufacturing hubs in Silesia and Greater Poland could face shortages if employers fail to convert temporary protection into longer-term residence permits before the 2027 deadline. Companies are therefore urged to: 1) map employees’ PESEL status, 2) budget for residence-card fees, and 3) prepare for longer processing times at overstretched voivodeship offices. The law firm recommends beginning Blue-Card or permanent-residence filings by early 2027 to avoid a last-minute scramble.
