From 5 March 2026, new regulations concerning Ukrainian citizens residing in Poland will come into force. These provisions gradually replace certain solutions introduced under the special act adopted after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. 

Although the legality of stay for many Ukrainian citizens has been extended until 4 March 2027, the new law introduces additional obligations and modifies the rules regarding employment and running a sole proprietorship in Poland. 

Legal stay extended until March 2027 

Ukrainian citizens covered by temporary protection and holding a PESEL number with UKR status will be able to stay legally in Poland until 4 March 2027. 

This extension is consistent with the EU decision to prolong temporary protection for Ukrainian nationals across EU Member States. 

The law also extends the validity of several documents, including: 

• national visas 

• temporary residence permits 

• residence cards 

• Polish identity documents for foreigners 

• tolerated stay permits 

• rights resulting from visa-free travel. 

This means that Ukrainian citizens who were legally staying in Poland when the original special act came into force after 24 February 2022 may continue their stay legally until the indicated date. 

Obligation to update personal data by 31 August 2026 

A new requirement concerns individuals who obtained PESEL UKR without presenting a photo identification document. 

During the first months of the war, many refugees registered using alternative documents, such as birth certificates. Under the new regulations, these individuals must update their personal data at a local municipal office and present a valid identity document with a photograph. 

The deadline for completing this update is 31 August 2026. 

Failure to do so may result in the loss of temporary protection status starting from 1 September 2026, unless the individual has another legal basis for staying in Poland. 

Employment rules for Ukrainian citizens 

Ukrainians covered by temporary protection will still be able to work under the simplified notification procedure submitted by employers to the local labour office. 

However, Ukrainian citizens who do not have PESEL UKR but remain legally in Poland will be subject to transitional rules. A three-year transition period allows them to continue working under the simplified system until 4 March 2029. 

After that date, employment will require another legal basis, such as a residence and work permit or an employer declaration of entrusting work to a foreign national. 

Employers who fail to submit the required notification may face fines ranging from PLN 1,000 to PLN 3,000. 

Sole proprietorship – new rules from March 2026 

Under the previous regulations, Ukrainian citizens could establish and run a sole proprietorship in Poland under the same rules as Polish citizens. 

The new law modifies these provisions. 

Businesses established before 5 March 2026 may continue operating without interruption. However, starting a new sole proprietorship after this date will require an appropriate residence title. 

This effectively restores the general rules applicable to foreign entrepreneurs in Poland. Business activity will be permitted for individuals holding certain residence statuses, including permanent residence, long-term EU resident status, or the EU Blue Card.