The conflict in Ukraine has driven many of the country’s citizens to seek shelter in neighboring states, among which is Poland. Since the beginning, the entire European Union has reacted by enabling support measures to help Ukrainian refugees. However, this does not mean that the other immigration options are not available for those who want to immigrate to Poland from Ukraine.
Below, our immigration lawyers in Poland explain the main pathways one has in terms of relocation from Ukraine.
Table of Contents
For those who want to move to Poland from Ukraine as refugees, the government has adhered to EU’s temporary protection measures, but has also enabled its own. One of the most important ones refers to helping business owners to relocate their activities and employees to Poland.
The simplified measures that enable persons to relocate to Poland from Ukraine imply among others for them to work and even create their own businesses, or better said, to start new lives here.
Here is a brief overview of Poland’s measures meant to support Ukrainian citizens:
Even with these measures in place, it is still possible to immigrate to Poland from Ukraine through the regular pathways.
Our immigration law firm in Poland is at your service, should you need advice on choosing the right type of residence permit.
We can also help you apply for permanent residency in Poland. Our immigration lawyers are at the service of citizens all over the world who want to move to Europe and decide on Poland. This is one of the emergent economies of the European Union which provides for many chances of succeeding in various sectors.
Polish citizenship is a matter our lawyers are asked about quite often. Poland has come a long way, turning it economy from an unpredictable to a stable one, thus attracting many foreigners. In most cases, Eastern European citizens choose the country for permanent relocation, however, many non-EU citizens also decide on it.
Ukrainian citizens who wish to immigrate to Poland may also apply for standard temporary residence permits in Poland for work, studies, economic activities, or family reunification, in accordance with the Polish Act on Foreigners of December 12, 2013, and applicable administrative acts, in addition to temporary protection.
This route is especially useful for people who want to stay in Poland for an extended period or permanently.
Temporary protection does not exclude access to these permits. However, the transition from temporary protection to a standard residence permit is not automatic and requires meeting general conditions (income, accommodation, clear purpose of stay, medical insurance, etc.).
Once a standard residence permit in Poland has been obtained, the person’s stay is no longer governed by the special regime applicable to temporary protection, but by general immigration law.
For these legal matters, our immigration lawyers in Poland can help guide you through the entire process of moving to Poland.
At the level of 2011, Poland’s census announced around 100,000 foreign citizens resided here. Since then, their number has increased. As a neighboring country and a member of the European Union, Poland has proved very appealing for Ukrainian citizens seeking to move, which is why family reunion can be a good option for those who want to move to Poland from Ukraine this way.
One needs to meet one of the following requirements to obtain a family reunification visa for Poland:
Also, one of the simplest ways to relocate to Poland from Ukraine is through an EU residence permit. EU long-term resident status in Poland is usually obtained after at least 5 years of legal residence in Poland. EU long-term residents from other EU states can apply for a temporary residence permit in Poland based on this status.
If you decide to immigrate to Poland from Ukraine, you can rely on our lawyers in Warsaw.
Ukrainian citizens benefiting from temporary protection in Poland have access to essential public services on terms comparable to those applicable to Polish citizens, within the limits and conditions established by the Special Law of March 12, 2022, in accordance with EU legislation and the Polish Special Act:
Poland remains one of the central host countries for refugees from Ukraine. According to data published by Eurostat and the Council of the EU, in mid-2025, there were:
If you want to immigrate to Poland from Ukraine, contact our law firm immediately!