The Act of 12 September 2025 “on the amendment of certain acts to verify the entitlement to family benefits for foreigners and on the conditions of assistance to Ukrainian citizens in connection with the armed conflict in the territory of that state” (Journal of Laws, Item 1301) extended the legal stay of Ukrainian citizens (and certain relatives) who arrived to Poland following the Russian invasion on 24 February 2022 until 04 March 2026.
The following have also been automatically extended until 04 March 2026:
- Periods of stay and validity of visas issued to Ukrainian nationals.
- The validity of temporary residence permits for Ukrainian citizens.
- Validity periods of residence cards, Polish identity documents, and “tolerated stay” permits issued to Ukrainian citizens.
- Deadlines for leaving Polish territory.
- Deadlines for voluntary departure set out in return decisions affecting Ukrainian citizens. Return proceedings against Ukrainian citizens may not be initiated or may be discontinued.
- The stay of Ukrainian citizens whose short-term visas or residence permits issued by other Schengen states have expired, or who are in Poland under visa-free movement, will be considered legal.
Two additional grounds for revoking a Temporary Residence permit issued under the “Act on Assistance to Ukrainian Citizens in Connection with the Armed Conflict in the Territory of Ukraine” have been introduced, affecting applicants found to have submitted false personal data, information, or documents, or to have married for the purpose of circumventing regulations governing the entry, transit, stay, and exit of foreigners in Poland.
The conditions to apply for a residence card for persons previously under Temporary Protection, which were awaiting entry into force, have been updated accordingly.