New beat card for Ukrainians in Poland: what is the difference between CUKR and PESEL UKR

Poland offers new conditions for temporary residence for Ukrainians. From July 1, you can get a CUKR card in the country. Those who have already received a PESEL UKR card are entitled to the document. Holders of CUKR cards will be able to live longer in Poland, but will lose the right to part of social benefits.

The CUKR card is an analogue of the three-year old card and will be issued only to citizens of Ukraine (both adults and children) who have a PESEL UKR. This status will allow Ukrainians to work in Poland, but they will lose some of the privileges granted to those under temporary protection. For example, holders of this card will not be entitled to free medical services. However, after employment and receiving insurance from the employer, they will be able to go to medical facilities free of charge. Card holders will have to notify the voivode about a change in the place of registration.

Who can get a new beaten card:

• people with PESEL UKR status as of March 4 and the day of application;
• Ukrainians who have PESEL UKR status continuously for 365 days;
• those who have a valid passport of a citizen of Ukraine for traveling abroad;
• those who have updated PESEL UKR data.

The main advantages for persons with a CUKR card:

• the possibility of a legal stay in Poland for 3 years;
• the possibility of employment in the country without additional permits;
• the employer will not be obliged to inform the labor inspectorate about the employment of Ukrainians with a CUKR card;
• it is possible to leave Poland for no more than 6 months without losing the card.

An application for a CUKR card can only be submitted online through the electronic system of the Office for Foreigners. Despite the fact that the changes to the special law will come into force on July 1, applications for the new debit card will begin to be accepted later, since it will take some time to implement the online system of issuing CUKR cards and to adjust the work of government agencies accordingly.