Reception centres: referral and arrival

Check the correct reception scheme, follow your referral and prepare for registration.

Check which scheme applies

This guide concerns reception assistance connected with an application for international protection in Poland. Collective accommodation for temporary-protection beneficiaries with UKR is a different scheme. An open UdSC reception centre is also different from a guarded detention centre. Confirm your procedure and any statutory exclusions with the Office for Foreigners before assuming you qualify.

Follow the referral

After applying, read the Border Guard instructions about reporting and deadlines. For social-assistance registration, UdSC identifies reception facilities in Biała Podlaska and Podkowa Leśna-Dębak. Use its current official list to confirm the address, contact and arrival arrangements. Do not assume every accommodation centre accepts new arrivals without referral or that you may choose any location.

Prepare for arrival

Bring the available identity and procedure documents, the referral and documents for accompanying family members. Keep necessary medicines and relevant medical information accessible. Tell staff promptly about pregnancy, disability, serious illness, violence-related risks or other needs affecting placement. Ask for understandable explanations and assistance if you cannot travel as instructed.

Confirm registration and next steps

Ask staff to explain registration, medical arrangements and any later placement in an accommodation centre. Keep receipts and instructions and confirm the official correspondence address. An application for protection and an application for social assistance are not the same step. If you do not request assistance, still follow the procedure-specific reporting and address instructions given by the authority.

Editorial summary checked against official sources: 2026-10-26

• Eligibility, requesting help and end of assistance