End of blockade: the EU Blue Card is available again for Ukrainians with UKR status
As of 1 June 2025, county administration offices were obliged to refuse to initiate EU Blue Card proceedings for Ukrainian residents who were enjoying temporary protection on the application date as a result of amendments to the Aliens Act. Due to the lack of relevant changes to the so-called special Ukrainian legislation this effectively meant that Ukrainians with this status could not apply for an EU Blue Card either.
It was later reported that this restriction was an unintended legislative consequence, so the legislator decided to reinstate the previous rules.
Another amendment to the Aliens Act signed by the President on 12 December 2025 (dealing mainly with the digitisation of residence proceedings) included a provision amending the special Ukrainian legislation. Based on it, holders of UKR status will again be able to obtain an EU Blue Card.
Importantly, the authorities will also be obliged to consider those applications for an EU Blue Card that were submitted before the amendment came into force, provided that by that time there has been no final decision to refuse to initiate or discontinue proceedings. In practice, such negative decisions should be rare, as the Office for Foreigners recommended that county administration offices refrain from issuing them.
The amendment will be promulgated in the Journal of Laws no later than 18 December 2025 and will enter into force 14 days after the date of publication (with certain exceptions).