According to Eurostat (as of 31 March 2025), there are 997,120 (23.4%) Ukrainians with temporary protection in Poland.
How long will the visa-free regime last for Ukrainian citizens with a biometric passport in 2025? Read the ICTV Facts article.
Visa-free regime: which countries does it apply to?
A visa-free regime for Ukrainians is in effect on the territory of the European Union (EU).
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The visa-free regime includes EU member states integrated into the Schengen area: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Croatia, Sweden and Poland.
Cyprus has not yet joined the full Schengen area. Therefore, the 90-day visa-free period in Schengen is not counted when visiting Cyprus – there is a separate 90-day period of stay. For example, if you have used up your limit in the Schengen area, you can still immediately go to Cyprus for another 90 days.
The visa-free regime also applies to countries that are not members of the EU, but are part of the Schengen Agreement as associated participants:
- Norway;
- Iceland;
- Switzerland;
- Liechtenstein.
How long can you stay in Poland with a biometric passport
It is permitted to stay in the territory of Poland (a country participating in the Schengen Agreement) for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
It is worth noting that the 180-day period may vary. This time interval is assessed individually each time – from the date of entry into the Schengen area, or from the moment of inspection, for example, by the police or border service upon exit.
The 90-day visa-free period starts from the date of the first border crossing. Exceeding the permitted stay may result in serious consequences, from fines to deportation or even a ban on re-entry.
Visa-free regime for citizens of Ukraine with a biometric passport: basic rules
The main rule for visa-free travel is to have a valid biometric passport. If a person has a regular (non-biometric) passport, then a Schengen visa must be issued for the trip.
As already noted, a visa-free entry allows you to stay in Poland for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Also, a visa-free entry allows you to legally work for up to 3 months.
To travel without a visa, you will need the following documents:
- a valid biometric passport – the passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the planned departure from the Schengen area and issued no more than 10 years before the trip;
- proof of financial security (cash, bank statement, payment cards) – at least 300 PLN for the first 3 days or 100 PLN for each day of stay;
- medical insurance policy with a minimum coverage of €30,000, valid for the entire period of stay;
- return ticket or a document confirming its reservation;
- confirmation of the purpose of the visit – this could be a reservation of accommodation, an invitation from friends or relatives, a detailed travel itinerary, etc.
If a child travels without both parents, then their notarized consent is required. For transporting pets, the following are required: a veterinary passport, a microchip, and vaccinations.
How long can you stay in Poland with biometrics during the war in Ukraine
After February 24, 2022, refugees from Ukraine can stay in Poland legally for 18 months. To do this, a person must be registered by the border guard commandant when passing through border control.
If you are not registered, you must submit an application with a photo for a personal PESEL number to the municipality of the city you are visiting. When submitting documents, employees will take a fingerprint (does not apply to children under 12). This procedure must be done within 60 days from the date of entry into Poland. After receiving the PESEL number, a person can also receive a Trusted Profile.
Staying in Poland is considered legal if a person has received a temporary residence permit. For this, it is also necessary to submit an application. After a decision has been made to grant a temporary residence permit, a person has the right to reside in Poland for 3 years from the date indicated in the decision.
The application can be submitted no earlier than 9 months after the date of legal entry into Poland, but no later than within 18 months starting from 24 February 2022.
