Asylum in Poland: international protection procedure

Since 27 March 2025 a Council of Ministers regulation has temporarily restricted the right to lodge an application for international protection at the border with Belarus. It has been extended in 60-day periods with the consent of the Sejm; the latest extension found, in Journal of Laws 2026 item 1217, runs for 60 days from 18 September 2026. Under the Asylum Act, unaccompanied minors, expectant mothers, people needing special treatment because of age or health, people at real risk of serious harm in Belarus and Belarusian citizens are exempt.

You make the application through the Border Guard: at a border crossing during border control, or, if you are already in Poland, at any Border Guard unit or outpost. People in detention apply through the Border Guard covering that facility. If the application cannot be taken the same day, the Border Guard records your intention and gives you a date; registration must happen within 3 working days (10 in a mass influx). The Office for Foreigners' information does not provide for applications at Polish embassies abroad.

The application is completed in Polish on a form based on an interview with a Border Guard officer, with an interpreter if needed. Photos and, from age 14, fingerprints are taken, and a medical check follows. Bring all identity and travel documents and any evidence for every person included.

Under the Dublin Regulation only one EU state examines your application. The Office checks, using Eurodac fingerprints, whether another state is responsible — for example because of an earlier application, family members with protection there, a visa or residence permit it issued, or irregular entry through it. An application can be inadmissible if another EU state has already granted you protection.

If Poland is responsible, the Head of the Office for Foreigners decides within 6 months, extendable to 15 months, or within 30 days in the accelerated procedure. You must stay in Poland until the final decision; leaving may lead to the case being discontinued.

Each adult receives a temporary identity certificate, valid for 90 days and then for 6-month periods, which confirms identity and allows residence in Poland but not border crossing. If you have no address, you must reach a reception centre within 2 days; the Office runs centres in Dębak (Podkowa Leśna) and Biała Podlaska. Applicants who are not detained receive social assistance and medical care.

Office staff give free legal information during the first-instance procedure; free legal aid for appeals is available under income limits. You can contact UNHCR and NGOs freely. If the procedure has not ended within 6 months, you can ask the Head of the Office for a certificate which, together with the temporary ID, allows you to work.

The decision states its legal basis and outcome and explains, in a language you understand, how and by when to appeal. Appeals against decisions of the Head of the Office for Foreigners go to the Refugee Board (Rada do Spraw Uchodźców). After a final negative decision you must leave Poland within 30 days; otherwise a return decision and an entry ban may follow.

The Office for Foreigners publishes procedural information and contact details on its website. UNHCR's help site for Poland explains the procedure and lists organisations offering free legal and social support.