In the first quarter of 2024, about 3,000 applications from foreigners claiming refugee status or additional protection in the country were submitted to the competent Polish authorities. This is 30% more than it was in January-March 2023. The largest number of applicants for asylum (international protection) were from Ukraine – 1,200 of our fellow citizens submitted relevant applications.
In addition to Ukrainians, citizens of Belarus (about 1,000 people in the first quarter of 2024) and Russians (about 300 applications in 3 months) often request international protection in Poland.
“An alien is granted international protection (in the form of refugee status or subsidiary protection) if he or she faces persecution or a real risk of loss of life or health in the country of origin. At the same time, there should be no circumstances that would indicate that he or she / it may pose, for example, a threat to the security of Poland. The legal term for considering an application for international protection is, as a rule, 6 months. Office of Foreigners.
From January to March, inclusive, the administration made a decision on about 2,000 applications for international protection that were previously submitted by foreigners. As a result of the review, 1,200 people received protection in Poland. In particular, 670 Belarusians, 410 Ukrainians and 50 Russians received this status.
During the procedure for obtaining refugee status, foreigners can take advantage of social assistance (accommodation, food, medical care, cash assistance) and educational services (meaning learning the Polish language). They have a choice: to stay in the center for foreigners or to live independently outside the centers with financial assistance received from the Department of Foreign Affairs.
As a reminder, Poland ranks second in the number of accepted Ukrainian refugees (about 960,000 people). The largest number of Ukrainians received protection in Germany (1.1 million people).
