PolandAsylum / refugee status

Refugee status or subsidiary protection in Poland

The programme grants international protection to foreign nationals who cannot safely return to their home country. It covers two statuses: refugee status for people with a well-founded fear of persecution, and subsidiary protection for those who face serious harm on return. Both statuses are granted by the authority on the basis of an individual examination of each case.

Visa term

Valid for as long as the grounds for protection remain

Threshold

None

Processing time

EU standard of up to 6 months, often longer

Work

Usually yes, within the scope of the status

Source: gov.pl (UdSC) — international protection: refugee status and supplementary protection

Who receives international protection

The programme is intended for foreign nationals who find themselves in a threatening situation in their home country. There are two main routes to the status, depending on the circumstances.

Refugee status

Persecution on grounds of race, religion or nationality
Persecution for political opinions
Persecution for membership of a particular social group
Inability to obtain protection from one's own country

Subsidiary (supplementary) protection

The threat of a death sentence or its execution
The threat of torture or ill-treatment
A serious threat to life in armed conflict
The likelihood of real serious harm on return

Family members

Minor children of a refugee
Children born in Poland
Spouses of recognised refugees
Other dependent family members (depending on the circumstances)

When this programme will not suit you

There is no risk of persecution or serious harm in your home country

Visas or a residence permit on grounds of employment, study or other reasons

A crime against peace or security has been committed

Exclusion from international protection under the 1951 Convention

The person has obtained protection in another country

The safe third country system within the EU

The persecution is not based on one of the listed grounds (race, religion and so on)

Applying to the police authorities at the place of residence in Poland

Documents to gather

The source page of the UDSC does not set out a complete list of documents. According to general practice, the following are required:

Application for international protection
An identity document (passport, identity card or copies of them)
Evidence of persecution or threat (medical certificates, witness statements, documents, threatening letters, news articles and so on)
Information on the composition of the family and other dependants
Other documents depending on the particular case

How the process runs

Applications are examined by the Office for Foreigners (UDSC).

1
Filing the application for protection
on the day of application or within 3 days of entering Polish territory
The foreign national files a written application with the UDSC, or with the Border Guard if they are at the border. The application may be filed without a complete package of documents.
2
Registration and interview
within several weeks of filing
The UDSC registers the application and requests further information. A personal interview is held with the applicant to gather information about the reasons that led them to seek protection.
3
Examination of the application
usually up to 6 months, may be extended
The head of the UDSC examines the application at first instance. The grounds are analysed, the information is verified and the credibility of the applicant's account is assessed.
4
Decision
on completion of the examination
The UDSC issues a decision granting refugee status, granting subsidiary protection or refusing the application. The decision is sent to the applicant in writing with reasons.
5
Issue of the status documents
within several days of the decision
If the decision is positive, a residence card (Karta Pobytu) is issued with a note of the status. The document confirms the status and the rights held in Poland.

Who you can bring with you

Family members may apply together with the main applicant or after the main applicant has been granted the status.

Minor children

They automatically receive the status provided at least one parent has been granted it; children born in Poland to refugees receive the status by birth

Spouse

May file a separate application as a family member; the marital status must be confirmed by documents

Other dependent family members

Parents, adult children, sisters and brothers may be included in the application where there is financial dependence and other circumstances

Trips, renewal and the grace period

Actual presence in Poland is required

Refugee status is valid on the terms laid down by law. It is extended for as long as the grounds for protection (persecution in the country of origin) remain. The residence card (Karta Pobytu) is usually issued for between 1 and 5 years and is subject to renewal. If the situation in the country of origin improves substantially, the status may be withdrawn. Holders of subsidiary protection follow a similar renewal procedure, taking account of any change in circumstances.

How it differs from the routes next to it

The comparison is built from the official terms of the routes themselves — the source links sit on their own pages.

	Refugee status or subsidiary protection	Karta pobytu	Blue Card
Visa term	Valid for as long as the grounds for protection remain	Karta czasowego for 1-3 years, renewable; karta stałego is open-ended (the card is replaced every 10 years)	Up to 3 years (the term of employment plus 3 months), renewable
Money	None	Salary not below the minimum wage; funds for living costs and accommodation; for business — income	Salary not below 150% of the average annual salary in Poland (indexed by GUS)
Work	Usually yes, within the scope of the status	On a card issued on employment grounds — with the named employer; permanent residence — full access	Yes, in the highly qualified occupation with the employer
Residence	Actual presence in Poland is required	For permanent residence: absences of no more than about 6 months in a row / 10 months over 5 years	Intention to stay for longer than 3 months

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

After several years — a move to more settled statuses

Route to citizenship

Through the general route after long-term residence

Frequently asked questions about Refugee status or subsidiary protection

What is the difference between refugee status and subsidiary protection?

Refugee status is granted on the basis of a well-founded fear of persecution on specific grounds (race, religion, nationality, political opinion, social group). Subsidiary protection is granted where there is no persecution, but return to the country would carry a real risk of serious harm (a death sentence, torture, a threat to life in conflict). Both statuses confer comparable rights, including the right to live and work in Poland.

Can minor children obtain international protection in their own right?

Children may apply in their own right, but the case is examined with a guardian appointed. Children born in Poland to parents who have been granted refugee status receive the status automatically. If a child arrives alone, they are given full protection and guardianship by the social welfare authorities.

Is a passport required when filing the application?

A passport is not compulsory. The application may be filed without a complete package of documents. If the foreign national has no passport or other documents, they may apply on the basis of their own account of the situation, witness evidence and other proof. The UDSC may request further documents during the examination.

How long does an application for international protection take?

Under European Union standards, an application should be examined within 6 months. In practice, however, the timeline often exceeds that standard, depending on the complexity of the case, the number of applications and the need for additional checks. The precise timeline can be confirmed with the UDSC when the application is filed.

Is there a state fee for filing the application?

There is no state fee. Filing an application for international protection is free of charge. The foreign national may, however, need the services of an interpreter, a lawyer or other specialists, which are paid for separately and at the applicant's own discretion.

Other ways to move to Poland

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Poland.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 8 August 2026.