RIGHTS FOR UKRAINE CITIZENS AND THEIR SPOUSES WHO ENTERED FROM UKRAINE TO POLAND FROM FEBRUARY 24, 2022Print
RIGHTS FOR UKRAINE CITIZENS WHO ENTERED FROM UKRAINE TO POLAND FROM FEBRUARY 24, 2022
If you are a citizen of Ukraine or the spouse of a citizen of Ukraine without Polish citizenship, you have legally crossed the border from Ukraine to Poland* after February 24th 2022 and you want to stay in Poland, you have the following rights:
1. The right to legal stay in Poland
You have the right to stay in Poland legally for the next 18 months, starting from February 24, 2022.
Legal stay also applies to children born after entering Poland.
If you have not received confirmation from the Border Guard that you had entered Poland, you must submit an application to the municipality office for a PESEL number (Polish identification number) within 60 days, which will register your stay in Poland.
(*) If you are a citizen of Ukraine and have a Pole's Card, then you have the right of residence and other rights listed below, even if you came to Poland after February 24, 2022 from a country other than Ukraine.
2. The right to use the support of a reception center
During the first days of your stay in Poland, you can benefit from assistance at a reception center if you wish, where you can receive accommodation, meals and basic medical assistance. Registering at a reception center is not mandatory, and it is your choice to use the services of one and for how long.
3. The right to free travel on PKP trains
Until March 25, 2022, Ukrainian citizens can travel free of charge in class 2 of TLK and IC trains in carriages with seats. The journeys of Ukrainian citizens are carried out on the basis of free additional tickets with or without a seat guarantee. You will need to show a passport, ID card or another document proving citizenship. The transport of goods and animals is free and unlimited. Free additional tickets can be downloaded at the ticket office or on the train.
4. The right to free health care and psychological care
You need a doctor's or a psychologist's advice, go to the nearest public health care facility of the National Health Fund. Advance booking is required in most places. For this purpose, contact the NFZ hotline: 800 190 590, (+48) 22 125 66 00, tip@nfz.gov.pl (also available in Ukrainian and Russian).
5. The right to work in Poland
You have the right to work in Poland without the need to obtain a work permit or a declaration of intention of employing a foreigner, even if you do not have a valid passport - an identity document is enough.
Make sure that the offered job is legal work. Your employer is obliged to sign a contract with you in a language you understand and report your employment to the Voivodship Labor Office within 14 days of starting of the employment. Before starting a new job, read the content of the contract, sign it only if you agree to its provisions, and keep one copy.
If your employer violates your rights, contact the National Labor Inspectorate:
(+48) 22 111 35 88, from 9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m., Monday to Friday (Ukrainian language)
(+48) 89 333 17 41, from 9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m., Monday to Friday (Ukrainian language)
(+48) 22 111 35 29, from 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m., Monday to Wednesday (Ukrainian language)
6. The right to use the assistance of the employment office in finding a job
Are you looking for a job? You can use the help of the voivodship Labor Office. Register as a jobseeker and you will receive job offers that match your qualifications and information on free courses for jobseekers.
If you need more information and help in finding a job, call the Green Line: 19524 or the helpline of the Voivodship Labor Office: no. 22 578 45 80 (8.00 - 16.00, Monday-Friday).
7. The right to establish a company
You have the right to establish both a sole proprietorship and a company. To start a business, you need to obtain a PESEL number and a trusted profile from the municipality office.
To open a sole proprietorship, register it in the CEIDG (Central Business Activity Register) at the municipality office. Registration in CEIDG is free of charge.
In order to set up a company, it is necessary to register it in the KRS (National Court Register).
Do you need more information about the register of sole proprietorship in CEIDG, call: 801 055 088 or 22 765 67 32
If you need more information about how to register a company, write to: s24@gdansk.sa.gov.pl
8. Right to free education
In Poland, all children have not only the right, but also the obligation of education. If you have a school-age child, enroll them at the nearest school as soon as possible. Children who do not speak Polish are entitled to additional Polish language lessons and remedial lessons.
9. The right to social assistance
Did something bad happen? Are you in a difficult situation? Do you have nowhere to live? Have you experienced violence or are you in trouble with your children? Contact the social welfare center in your municipality.
If you have a PESEL number, you are entitled to assistance in the form of a one-time cash benefit in the amount of PLN 300 per person, intended for maintenance, in particular to cover expenses for food, clothing, footwear, personal hygiene products and housing fees.
Attention! These rights do not apply to persons who have applied for refugee status in Poland, unless they withdraw such an application.
Attention! In order for you to take full advantage of the above-mentioned rights, urgently submit an application to the municipality office for a PESEL number (Polish identification number) and gain access to a trusted profile, thanks to which you will be able to confirm your identity online.
Do you need more information? Call!
IOM Helpline: 22 490 20 44 from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., Monday to Friday
Helpline of the Office for Foreigners: 22 490 20 44 from 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m., Monday to Friday
Ukrainian House Helpline: +48 727 805 764
Police hotline (security and missing persons): +48 47 721 23 07
