For hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians living in western Poland, an era of accessible consular services is beginning. On July 23, a new Consulate of Ukraine will officially open its doors in the city of Poznań. This decision by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a response to demographic changes and the growing need to protect the rights of citizens abroad.
Priority — citizen convenience
According to Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, approximately 170,000 Ukrainians currently reside in Poznań and the surrounding areas. Before the opening of this new representation, many of them had to travel significant distances to process documents, obtain passports, or resolve other issues requiring the intervention of diplomatic bodies.
“The decision on where to open a new consulate is made in accordance with existing needs: where the number of Ukrainians is increasing and, accordingly, the demand for consular services is growing,” the Minister emphasized. The opening of the institution in Poznań aims to reduce waiting times and the physical burden on citizens who previously had to spend days traveling to other cities.
Expansion of the diplomatic network
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine confirms that the strategy for developing the diplomatic network is based on the principles of efficiency and accessibility. The creation of a new consulate is not just a formal expansion of presence but a concrete step to strengthen the protection of citizens' interests. The department notes that such measures allow for a more convenient service and reduce the time required to resolve bureaucratic issues.
Starting July 23, the first visitors will be able to apply to the consulate for assistance. All necessary details, including the exact address, contact phone numbers, and the appointment procedure, have been published on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.
Context of Ukrainian life in Poland
The opening of the consulate takes place against the backdrop of changes in the legislative framework in Poland regulating the lives of migrants. In particular, new rules for receiving social benefits “800+” and “300+” came into force on June 1. Now, a mandatory condition for receiving financial support is the child's participation in the Polish education system. Under these conditions, the presence of a full-fledged consular representation near home becomes critically important for processing documents necessary for legalizing status and receiving benefits.
