Extension of the validity of the Ukrainian Special Act until 4 March 2026
On 26 September 2025, the President of the Republic of Poland signed the Act of 12 September 2025 amending certain acts to verify the right to family benefits for foreigners and the conditions for providing assistance to Ukrainian citizens in connection with the armed conflict in that country.
The most important changes in the so-called Ukrainian Special Act:
- The provisions have been extended until 4 March 2026, which means that the uncertainty regarding the legality of residence and employment of Ukrainian citizens without UKR status has been dispelled;
- Both adults and minors will be able to obtain a PESEL number with the UKR annotation only in person.
The Act was published in the Journal of Laws on 29 September 2025.
The President also announced that this is the last amendment to the Ukrainian Special Act that he will sign.
However, it is worth noting that persons with temporary protection under these provisions (i.e. PESEL with the UKR annotation) will continue to be protected at the EU level. Even if the Act is not extended after 4 March 2026, this status will remain in force on the basis of Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2025/1460 of 15 July 2025, which extends temporary protection until 4 March 2027, as these provisions are directly applicable.