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Documents and your stay in Poland

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Important updates

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Critical

UKR status without confirmed identity has ended

Who is affected
People who received a PESEL with UKR status without presenting a foreign passport — most often children whose identity was confirmed with a parent's documents — and people who received a new passport after their PESEL was registered.
What to do
31 August 2026 was the last day to confirm identity at a municipality (urząd gminy) office. From 1 September, UKR status for these people changes to NUE: temporary protection, legal stay, the 800+ benefit and the right to a place in collective accommodation all end. Without a valid PESEL UKR you cannot apply for a CUKR residence card. If you are not sure this applies to you, check your status at your nearest municipality office.

Verified: · Art. 25(1)–(3) of the Act of 23 January 2026, Journal of Laws (Dz.U.) 2026 item 203

Update

Temporary protection extended to 4 March 2028

Who is affected
People using temporary protection.
What to do
Check your documents and personal notices separately. This update does not set a CUKR card application deadline. At the EU level, protection has been extended to 4 March 2028. Under Polish law, as of today the date that determines legal stay remains 4 March 2027 — use that date.
EU date
PL date

Verified: · Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/1912; UdSC, 6 August 2026

What does this mean?

Words you may see

Plain-language explanations; open only the term you need.

PESEL
What is it?
A personal identification number in Poland.
Type
number
Do I need it?
It is often needed for public and many private services.
How do I know whether I already have it?
Check the PESEL confirmation or official services.
What does it give me / prove?
It identifies you in systems.
What it is not
It is not a passport, visa or by itself proof of a right to stay.
How do I get/check it?
It is assigned by a municipality under the official procedure.
Next action
Check whether you have an 11-digit number; if not, contact a municipality office.

Official source: gov.pl / Ministry of Digital Affairs

PESEL UKR / UKR status
What is it?
A status notation linked to temporary protection for specified people from Ukraine.
Type
status
Do I need it?
It may matter for access to related rights and procedures.
How do I know whether I already have it?
Check official confirmation or ask the authority holding your record.
What does it give me / prove?
In the relevant case, it officially confirms use of temporary protection.
What it is not
It is not a residence card and does not replace a passport.
How do I get/check it?
Only an official authority can grant or update it.
Next action
Check the UKR notation separately from the PESEL number.

Official source: Office for Foreigners (UdSC)

Temporary protection
What is it?
An EU temporary legal framework for specified displaced people.
Type
legal protection / status
Do I need it?
It may be the basis for stay and related services.
How do I know whether I already have it?
Check an official document or status, not an assumption.
What does it give me / prove?
Rights to the extent current rules provide.
What it is not
It does not automatically mean another card or permanent status.
How do I get/check it?
Follow UdSC or local authority instructions.
Next action
Match your document or record against current UdSC information.

Official source: Office for Foreigners (UdSC)

Passport / travel document
What is it?
An official document for identity and travel.
Type
document
Do I need it?
It is often needed for identification and procedures.
How do I know whether I already have it?
Check the original and its validity date.
What does it give me / prove?
It helps prove identity and document details.
What it is not
It is not by itself a residence authorisation.
How do I get/check it?
It is issued by the state of nationality or a competent authority.
Next action
Check its validity and keep a copy of the document.

Official source: Office for Foreigners (UdSC)

Residence permit (zezwolenie na pobyt)
What is it?
An authority decision allowing stay for a specific basis.
Type
legal right / decision
Do I need it?
It is required only in relevant situations.
How do I know whether I already have it?
Check your decision or case record.
What does it give me / prove?
It confirms permission within the decision’s scope.
What it is not
It is not the same as a plastic card.
How do I get/check it?
Check filing and requirements in MOS.
Next action
Choose your purpose of stay and check MOS requirements.

Official source: MOS — Office for Foreigners

Residence card (karta pobytu)
What is it?
A plastic document confirming details connected with a residence permission.
Type
card / document
Do I need it?
You need it where it was issued in your procedure.
How do I know whether I already have it?
Check the physical card and expiry date.
What does it give me / prove?
It helps prove identity and status within the document’s scope.
What it is not
It is not always the residence decision itself.
How do I get/check it?
Issue depends on the voivodeship procedure.
Next action
Check the card’s expiry and match it with your decision.

Official source: MOS — Office for Foreigners

CUKR
What is it?
The name of a separate residence-card procedure for specified Ukrainian citizens.
Type
card / procedure
Do I need it?
Only if your individual situation meets current rules.
How do I know whether I already have it?
Do not assume it: check the separate route.
What does it give me / prove?
Its effects are determined by the separate official procedure.
What it is not
It is not the same as PESEL UKR or temporary protection.
How do I get/check it?
Use the separate CUKR route.
Next action
Open the separate governed CUKR route; it checks its procedure separately.
Open CUKR route →

Official source: Office for Foreigners (UdSC)

mObywatel
What is it?
A Polish government mobile app for digital documents and services.
Type
app
Do I need it?
It is not always required; this depends on the service.
How do I know whether I already have it?
Check whether you can sign in and what services you see.
What does it give me / prove?
Access to available digital documents and services.
What it is not
It does not replace every physical document in every situation.
How do I get/check it?
Use the official app and its instructions.
Next action
Check in the app which exact data or document is available to you.

Official source: mObywatel

Dokument ochrony czasowej (formerly Diia.pl)
What is it?
The electronic temporary-protection document in the mObywatel app. Since 5 March 2026 it is officially called Dokument ochrony czasowej — previously named Diia.pl; the document itself and its functions are unchanged. Requires mObywatel version 4.77 or later.
Type
electronic document / app
Do I need it?
Whether it is needed depends on your situation and service.
How do I know whether I already have it?
Check the official app, not a screenshot or unofficial site.
What does it give me / prove?
It may confirm information in the cases provided.
What it is not
It is not a travel document by itself: without a valid foreign passport, it does not work at the border.
How do I get/check it?
Use current official instructions.
Next action
Check the current name and availability of the electronic document in the official service.

Official source: mObywatel

Profil Zaufany
What is it?
A way to verify identity for online public services.
Type
online service / electronic identity
Do I need it?
It is needed for some online procedures.
How do I know whether I already have it?
Check access through login.gov.pl.
What does it give me / prove?
It can let you sign in or sign in supported services.
What it is not
It is not an immigration status or travel document.
How do I get/check it?
Create and manage it under official instructions.
Next action
Check whether you have a login method through login.gov.pl.

Official source: login.gov.pl

login.gov.pl
What is it?
A government sign-in gateway for supported online services.
Type
online service
Do I need it?
It may be needed to access an electronic procedure.
How do I know whether I already have it?
Try an available sign-in method.
What does it give me / prove?
A single sign-in to compatible services.
What it is not
It is not Profil Zaufany, a passport or a status.
How do I get/check it?
Use the official sign-in page.
Next action
Open login.gov.pl and choose an available sign-in method.

Official source: login.gov.pl

MOS
What is it?
An online information system of the Office for Foreigners.
Type
online service
Do I need it?
It is useful for checking residence procedures.
How do I know whether I already have it?
Open the official MOS website.
What does it give me / prove?
Official information about specified procedures.
What it is not
It does not decide your case instead of an authority.
How do I get/check it?
Search by your purpose of stay.
Next action
Find your purpose of stay and document list in MOS.

Official source: MOS — Office for Foreigners

Meldunek
What is it?
Registration of an address of residence.
Type
administrative registration
Do I need it?
Whether it is needed depends on your circumstances and procedure.
How do I know whether I already have it?
Check a confirmation or ask the municipality.
What does it give me / prove?
Confirmation of a registered address where provided.
What it is not
It is not a residence permission.
How do I get/check it?
Contact the municipality for your address.
Next action
Ask the municipality whether address registration is needed in your situation.

Official source: gov.pl / Ministry of Digital Affairs

90/180 rule
What is it?
A Schengen short-stay rule for relevant travellers.
Type
rule / time limit
Do I need it?
It can matter for short trips.
How do I know whether I already have it?
Compare exact travel dates with the current rule.
What does it give me / prove?
It gives no document; it is a way to count permitted time in relevant cases.
What it is not
It does not apply in the same way to every status and document.
How do I get/check it?
Use official rules and an individual check.
Next action
Collect exact entry and exit dates; if unsure, verify them before travel.

Official source: EUR-Lex

International protection
What is it?
A protection procedure for people who may need protection from persecution or serious harm.
Type
legal procedure / protection
Do I need it?
Only where the rules provide grounds.
How do I know whether I already have it?
Check your case document or decision.
What does it give me / prove?
It may lead to a specified form of protection after a procedure.
What it is not
It is not an automatic result of arriving in Poland.
How do I get/check it?
Use official UdSC information.
Next action
If you need protection, read official UdSC information or contact a competent authority.

Official source: Office for Foreigners (UdSC)

Refugee status
What is it?
One possible outcome of an international-protection procedure.
Type
status / legal protection
Do I need it?
It is not a routine document application; it depends on a procedure.
How do I know whether I already have it?
Check the authority’s decision.
What does it give me / prove?
Rights provided by the decision and current law.
What it is not
It is not the same as temporary protection.
How do I get/check it?
It is determined in an international-protection procedure.
Next action
Check the decision in your case; seek legal help if needed.

Official source: Office for Foreigners (UdSC)

Subsidiary protection
What is it?
One possible form of international protection.
Type
status / legal protection
Do I need it?
It depends on an individual procedure.
How do I know whether I already have it?
Check the authority’s decision.
What does it give me / prove?
Rights within current rules.
What it is not
It is not UKR status or a residence card.
How do I get/check it?
It is determined in an international-protection procedure.
Next action
Check the decision in your case and its instructions.

Official source: Office for Foreigners (UdSC)

Humanitarian stay
What is it?
A separate permission to stay in situations provided by law.
Type
legal right / decision
Do I need it?
Only in individually defined cases.
How do I know whether I already have it?
Check the decision issued in your case.
What does it give me / prove?
Effects defined by that decision and law.
What it is not
It is not an automatic right after an application.
How do I get/check it?
It is determined by a competent authority in the relevant procedure.
Next action
Check the decision or contact the competent authority about your case.

Official source: Office for Foreigners (UdSC)

Tolerated stay
What is it?
A separate form of stay in situations provided by law.
Type
legal right / decision
Do I need it?
Only in relevant individual cases.
How do I know whether I already have it?
Check the authority’s decision.
What does it give me / prove?
Rights within current rules.
What it is not
It is not a visa, PESEL or international protection as such.
How do I get/check it?
It is determined by an authority in the relevant procedure.
Next action
Match the wording in the decision; do not replace it with an assumption.

Official source: Office for Foreigners (UdSC)

Long-term EU resident permit
What is it?
A long-term residence permission for people meeting legal conditions.
Type
permit / legal status
Do I need it?
Only if you plan this route and meet the conditions.
How do I know whether I already have it?
Check your decision or card if issued.
What does it give me / prove?
Rights provided for this permit.
What it is not
It is not granted automatically after a certain time in Poland.
How do I get/check it?
Check the official MOS procedure.
Next action
Check requirements and continuity of residence in MOS before filing.

Official source: MOS — Office for Foreigners

Reference library

I already know what I’m looking for

Search the complete guide library. It stays below the situation-first help.

Practical route

EU long-term resident

Check the EU long-term resident conditions: continuity of residence, income, insurance, accommodation and Polish-language evidence.

Practical route

EU/EEA/Swiss citizens

A route for EU, EEA and Swiss citizens: stays over three months, registration and permanent residence.

Practical route

Long-term residence strategy

Plan next steps for a longer stay: from your current status to the next permit, permanent residence or citizenship where applicable.

Practical route

Permanent residence

Check the legal grounds for permanent residence: time spent in Poland alone does not guarantee eligibility.

Practical route

PESEL number for a foreign national

How to obtain a PESEL number through residence registration or a separate application when your situation permits it.

Practical route

Registration of residence (meldunek)

Check whether you need to register your residence, which deadline applies and what accommodation documents are needed.

Practical route

Temporary residence and work

A temporary-residence route for a person whose basis of stay is linked to work in Poland.

Practical route

Temporary residence on family grounds

Compare family grounds for temporary residence: family reunification, marriage to a Polish citizen and other situations.

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