Temporary Protection in Poland

Temporary protection in Poland, PESEL UKR and the difference from an asylum application.

• Understanding temporary protection in Poland

  Temporary protection is a separate route from an individual international protection application. Eligibility depends on the applicable rules for people displaced from Ukraine; nationality alone does not establish every entitlement.

• PESEL with UKR status

  An ordinary PESEL number and PESEL with UKR status are not the same thing. The Office for Foreigners states that eligible temporary protection beneficiaries are assigned PESEL with UKR status under the current arrangements.

• Checking work, benefits and other entitlements

  A protection status does not make every social benefit automatic. ZUS introduced additional checks for 800+ in 2026, including residence, work activity and a child’s education, with detailed conditions and exceptions.