News

Ukrainian citizens now have an extended period of protection until 4 March 2024

22 May 2023

Important: We would like to draw your attention to an important but rarely commented upon change concerning the extension of temporary protection in Poland for citizens of Ukraine under the Ukrainian Special Act. Following the decision of the European Union, the April amendment to the law on assistance to Ukrainian citizens has extended the period of granted rights until 4 March 2024 which is good news for both Ukrainian citizens and their employers.

This significant change was introduced by an inconspicuous Act amending the names of higher education institutions of public services supervised by the Minister responsible for internal affairs. The amendment is now awaiting the President's signature and its publication in the Journal of Laws.

It is worth noting that Ukrainian citizens and Ukrainian citizens holding a Polish Card, along with their immediate family members who arrived legally in the territory of Poland since 24 February 2022 and have declared their intention to stay in Poland. The abovementioned will enjoy legal residence and the right to work in Poland on the basis of their notification to the labour office, until 4 March 2024.

Note: The EU has already announced that, depending on the situation in Ukraine, the temporary protection mechanism can be extended a further year until March 2025.

Authored by Agnieszka Szczodra-Hajduk and Aleksandra Sudak-PrzybyÅ‚a.