New rules for identity cards are being prepared in Poland: what is important for Ukrainians to know
Ukrainian refugees in Poland are well aware of how important local administrative procedures have become after forced displacement due to war, as document processing, registration, identity verification, and contacting the authorities often determine access to services, work, education, and everyday life. Therefore, any changes in the Polish document issuance system have practical significance for Ukrainians as well, even if they primarily concern Polish citizens.
What changes are planned in Poland
As reported by inPoland, the Polish Ministry of the Interior and Administration plans to change the rules regarding identity cards. The aim of the changes is to reduce the number of applications to the registration offices, simplify the process of obtaining documents and facilitate procedures for older people.
Currently, ID cards issued to persons over 12 years of age are valid for 10 years. Documents for children have a shorter validity period of 5 years. The Polish agency proposes to extend the validity period of ID cards for people over 70 years of age.
Under the new rules, citizens of this age group will be able to use their ID cards for 15 years. The ministry explains this proposal by the fact that elderly people usually change their personal data less often, so frequent replacement of documents is not essential for them.
For the administrative system, this will also mean a lower burden on the registration office staff, as some people will apply for new documents less often. For applicants themselves, such a change may reduce the number of mandatory visits to institutions, which is especially important for the elderly and those who have difficulty moving around or planning trips to a specific registration office.
How to get an ID card
Another important change concerns the place of obtaining an ID card. Now an application for a new document can be submitted at any commune office in Poland, but the finished ID card must be collected from the place where the application was submitted.
After the new rules come into force, a person will be able to choose a different office to obtain the document. This mechanism can be convenient for those who move, change their place of residence, work in another city, or are unable to come to the same institution again.
Why is this important for Ukrainian refugees
For Ukrainians who are in Poland because of the war, these changes should be considered carefully, although they relate to Polish ID cards. Ukrainian refugees often interact with offices when processing documents, registering a place of residence, obtaining status, resolving issues related to children, social benefits, or accessing services.
If the new rules reduce the burden on the visa office, this may indirectly affect the speed of service for other visitors, including Ukrainians. In addition, the very trend towards more flexible document processing is important for people who do not have a stable place of residence or are forced to move between Polish cities frequently.
Ukrainian families living with elderly relatives, as well as those who already have Polish citizenship or are in the process of regulating their legal status in Poland, should pay particular attention to such changes.
When the new rules may come into effect
The changes may come into effect as early as July 2026, but the bill still has to go through the full legislative process. The final form of the rules may change during consideration and discussions.
It is expected that the innovations may cover more than 3.4 million people between 2026 and 2035. At the same time, the validity period of already issued certificates will probably not be extended automatically. The new rules should apply to documents issued after the amendments are adopted.
The main thing for Ukrainians in Poland is to follow the final decision and not confuse the planned changes with the already existing norms. Until the draft law is adopted, the preliminary procedure is in effect, and new opportunities will become available only after the official entry into force.
