Ukrainians under temporary protection in Poland now have the opportunity to transition to a more stable legal status by obtaining the special CUKR residence card. According to the Polish Office for Foreigners, applications opened on May 4, 2026. This document confirms a three-year temporary residence permit and is intended for those currently under temporary protection who wish to secure their status in the country. However, not all PESEL UKR holders qualify—one must meet several requirements, and the procedure has specific nuances that are important to know in advance.
What is a CUKR card and how does it differ from a standard residence permit
The CUKR card is a special document confirming a three-year temporary residence permit in Poland. Unlike a standard temporary residence permit, obtaining it does not require proof of employment, studies, or another specific purpose of stay. The card is issued under a special procedure and only once: after it expires, the next residence permit must be applied for under general rules. Thus, CUKR serves as a bridge between the temporary protection status and more stable forms of legal stay.
What the CUKR card offers
Cardholders enjoy several key rights. First, the ability to work without an additional work permit. Second, the right to conduct business under the same conditions as Polish citizens. Third, the ability to travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period with a valid passport. Finally, the time spent residing under CUKR counts toward the duration required to obtain EU long-term resident status. This makes the card a practical tool for those planning to stay in Poland long-term.
Eligibility and conditions
Simply holding a PESEL number is not enough—one must meet requirements regarding UKR status. According to official guidelines from the Office for Foreigners, the applicant must simultaneously meet four conditions; among them is maintaining an active PESEL UKR at the time the Voivode issues the card. The full list of requirements is available in the agency's guidance. These rules apply to Ukrainian citizens and specific family members who arrived in Poland after February 23, 2022, due to the war. It is important to note that if an individual lost their UKR status and later regained it, previous periods cannot be combined with the new one to reach the required 365 days. Specific rules apply to children born in Poland after February 23, 2022: such a child can receive a CUKR card if they have an active PESEL UKR, provided the mother already holds the card and meets the established conditions.
How to apply via the MOS system
Applications must be submitted exclusively through the MOS (Moduł Obsługi Spraw) electronic system: personal submission of paper documents, mail, or email is not permitted. Applicants must visit the official MOS portal and register in the new system—even if a previous version was used before, a new account is required. Then, log in via login.gov.pl and select the application for a residence card for persons under temporary protection. The system will automatically check the applicant’s information against government registries: this must include up-to-date details on identity, a valid passport, fingerprints, and a signature sample, if required by age and other circumstances. A digital photo and proof of payment of mandatory fees must be attached to the electronic application. Upon successful submission, the system generates an official acknowledgment of receipt—UPO. If the documents are correctly filled out, there is no need to visit the Voivodeship office to submit the application: the applicant will only be invited to pick up the ready card.
Necessary documents and payments
To apply, you need a valid passport whose details must be entered into the Polish registries, a digital photo (35 × 45 mm) taken within the last six months, and a fee of 340 PLN for the temporary residence permit. Both payments must be made before submitting the application, and account details should be verified on the relevant authority's official website, as payments go to different accounts. Registration and application via MOS are free; there is no need to use paid intermediaries.
Common issues during application
During the process, an applicant might receive a message stating that their data does not meet requirements or that information in the registries is incomplete. The reason is usually the absence of up-to-date passport data, fingerprints, or a signature sample. In such cases, one must visit the municipal office (urząd gminy) with a valid passport and request that personal data be checked and updated. Once the information in the registries is updated, one can return to submitting the application. Given that the procedure is fully electronic and depends on the completeness of data in government registries, checking their accuracy in advance is the simplest way to avoid delays.
