Citizens of Ukraine and their family members who lived here until February 24, 2022, who were displaced on or after February 24, 2022, have the right to temporary protection on the territory of the Republic of Poland. Also, stateless persons, citizens of 3 countries and their family members, who previously received similar protection in Ukraine or international protection, and were relocated from Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
It is also worth noting that non-Ukrainian citizens and stateless persons who can prove the legality of residence in Ukraine until February 24, 2022 on the basis of a valid permanent residence permit issued in accordance with the law and are unable to safely return to their country of origin for a long time , are entitled to protection or certain national protection depending on the EU member state.
WHAT DOES TEMPORARY PROTECTION IN POLAND ENTAIL?
- Obtaining a temporary residence permit during the period of temporary protection, this permit is issued for 1 year and can be extended twice for a period of 6 months
- Opportunity to study in Poland. Children under the age of 18 have the right to study in educational institutions together with citizens on the territory of which they live.
- The right to work. Then there is no requirement of 6 months.
- Obtaining access to medicine and social security for the population
- Providing citizens with housing, which involves settling them in appropriate centers or providing means for comfortable living.
- Obtaining refugee status later
- Access to banking services
- The right to move to another EU country even before obtaining a residence permit
- The ability to move freely through the countries of the Union during the period of 90 days and 180 days after obtaining a residence permit in the country that accepted the citizen
It is important that temporary protection in Poland provides that if the state will not be able to continue accepting people, then the person can be resettled in a neighboring state (but only with the consent of the person).
IS TEMPORARY PROTECTION ASSIGNED IMMEDIATELY UPON ARRIVAL? DO YOU NEED TO ASK FOR IT?
The right to temporary protection in Poland means that, if a citizen needs to acquire this right, he only needs to follow the instructions of the state authorities of the country, i.e. prove his citizenship, another status of international protection, another similar protection. It is also necessary to prove that the person lived in the territory of Ukraine, family ties in the territory of Ukraine, in order to obtain the right to temporary protection.
IS TEMPORARY PROTECTION VALID FOR A CITIZEN IN ALL EU COUNTRIES OR ONLY IN POLAND?
If a citizen receives temporary protection from one EU member state, the right to protection is valid only in the country that granted the residence permit. However, as mentioned above, a person has the right to move freely within the territory of the EU for 90 and 180 days. If during this time you decide to change your place of residence, the residence permit in the previous country is automatically terminated along with the temporary protection. This means that the procedure for obtaining temporary protection must be repeated at the new place of residence.
A CITIZEN IS REGISTERED TO RECEIVE TEMPORARY PROTECTION, BUT WANTS TO RETURN TO UKRAINE FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, OR DOES HE LOSE THE RIGHTS GRANTED TO HIM IN AN EU COUNTRY?
If a citizen wants to return to Ukraine for a short period of time, for example, to visit his family, or to collect documents to help save his family, this does not entail the loss of the right to protection. Because the EU does not consider a person’s short-term absence as a decision to voluntarily return to Ukraine.
THE CITIZEN HAS TEMPORARY PROTECTION IN POLAND AND WANTS TO RETURN TO UKRAINE. WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO HIS RIGHTS ON THE TERRITORY OF THE EU AND CAN A PERSON ON RETURN USE TEMPORARY PROTECTION?
If a citizen voluntarily returns to live on the territory of Ukraine and stays there, he automatically loses his right to temporary protection. That is, the country that issued the residence permit cancels it, and along with this, the right to temporary protection ceases.
Also, a citizen who wants to return to the EU country, before the end of the emergency situation, can again receive the right to temporary protection . In view of the current situation, the EU countries should approve the permission to return to the member states of the union.
It is important that if a citizen has a desire to return to Poland, where he already enjoyed the right to temporary protection, then this country may not agree to your return to its territory. If the country refuses to grant the citizen temporary protection again, then he can apply for temporary protection in any – some other EU country.
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