Three-year CUKR permit instead of PESEL UKR: what rules are being prepared for Ukrainians in Poland from April 1, 2026
The update of the rules on temporary protection in the European Union, which will come into force on April 1, 2026, will affect Ukrainian citizens residing in Poland. The changes concern the conditions of legal stay, the procedure for transition to long-term permits and status verification in different EU countries. For Ukrainians in Poland, the key innovation will be the transition from the model of temporary protection associated with the PESEL UKR status to a separate CUKR residence permit designed for a longer period.
What will change for Ukrainians in Poland from April 1, 2026
After the updated rules come into force on April 1, Ukrainians in Poland will have to take into account the new procedure for legal stay. According to InPoland, the Polish authorities are moving to a model in which the PESEL UKR status will be gradually replaced by a CUKR permit, which will grant the right to reside in the country for up to three years. This approach means moving away from the previous system built around temporary protection and towards a more stable mechanism for those who plan to stay in Poland for longer.
The new permit will be issued exclusively in electronic format via the state portal MOS. Paper documents will not be accepted, so submitting an application, verifying data, and completing the procedure will be completely dependent on the digital service. For many applicants, this will mean the need to prepare documents in advance, clarify personal data, and make sure that their status is displayed correctly.
What conditions must be met to obtain a CUKR
On the website of the the Polish government, it is stated that the right to a new permit is associated with several clear requirements. Those who have had a continuous UKR status for at least 365 days, maintained this status as of June 4, 2025, have it current at the time of application and submit documents no earlier than 30 days after entering Poland will be able to apply.
In practical terms, this means that continuity of stay in the temporary protection system will be crucial. Any discrepancies in the registers, inaccuracies in the data or problems with confirming the status can complicate the procedure. Therefore, Ukrainians planning to apply for a new permit should check in advance how their status is reflected in the Polish databases.
The introduction of CUKR changes not only the technical procedure for applying for documents, but also the logic of Ukrainians’ stay in the country. If previously the basis of legal status was PESEL UKR, associated with the temporary protection regime, then after the changes a separate permit should become the main document for longer residence. This is important for Ukrainians in view of a more defined legal status, a longer planning horizon and clearer conditions of residence.
At the same time, the new procedure places more responsibility on the applicant for the accuracy of data and compliance with the established requirements. Errors in the application, lack of confirmation of status or non-compliance with the conditions can lead to delays and additional difficulties during processing.
Preparing for the CUKR application requires careful attention to detail, as the electronic procedure leaves no room for inattention. Before submitting an application, it is worth checking the date of entry, the relevance of the UKR status, compliance with all requirements and the availability of the necessary data to fill out the application via the MOS portal.
In cases where there are doubts about the continuity of the status or the correctness of the information entered, it is advisable to contact local social support bodies or specialized organizations that work with Ukrainians in Poland. Such a check will help avoid a situation in which a technical inaccuracy turns into a serious obstacle when applying for a permit.
How the approach to Ukrainians is changing in European countries
Innovations in Poland appear against the backdrop of broader changes in the approaches of European states to supporting Ukrainians who left due to the war. Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic accepted the most refugees, but the discussion about the future of temporary protection in different countries is becoming more substantive, and the rules are gradually being revised taking into account the burden on social systems, the labor market and budget expenditures.
In particular, the Czech Republic advocates a review of current approaches and proposes restrictions for able-bodied men, as well as for those who arrived from relatively safe regions of Ukraine. This position indicates increased requirements for certain categories of citizens and the desire of European governments to more clearly distinguish the grounds for protection.
Other states are also adjusting their support policies. In Ireland, for example, they are gradually reducing financial assistance for housing for Ukrainians from 600 to 400 euros per month by 2027, and also plan to abandon the accommodation of refugees in hotels, returning these facilities to the tourism sector and local communities.
Thus, for Ukrainian citizens staying in Poland, April 1, 2026 will be the transition point to a new legal residence regime, where the CUKR permit will play a decisive role. The ability to stay in the country legally for longer will depend on the successful completion of this procedure, so the main task for applicants is not to wait for clarifications in general terms, but to carefully check their own status, documents, and compliance with the established conditions.
