[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"advice-en-karta-pobytu-dla-ukrainca":3},{"slug":4,"title":5,"excerpt":6,"body":7,"datePublished":8,"dateModified":8},"karta-pobytu-dla-ukrainca","CUKR residence card for Ukrainians in 2026: terms and application","How a Ukrainian with UKR status swaps temporary protection for a 3-year CUKR card: terms, PLN 440 fees, the MOS application and when to pick another path.","\u003Cp>In 2026 a Ukrainian citizen with UKR status in the PESEL register can swap temporary protection for a 3-year CUKR residence card (karta pobytu) in a simplified online procedure, without fingerprints and without having to show the purpose of stay. Temporary protection is in force until 4 March 2027, which is why it is worth deciding on further legalisation now. Below we compare CUKR with the standard permits and point out when each route is more favourable.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2>Starting point: what changed in 2026\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>On 5 March 2026 the Act phasing out solutions from the so-called Ukrainian special act came into force. The most important consequences for residence are:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli>legal stay of persons with UKR status was automatically extended until \u003Cstrong>4 March 2027\u003C\u002Fstrong>;\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>people who received a UKR PESEL without presenting a photo document had to update their data by 31 August 2026 — failure to update means losing temporary protection from 1 September 2026;\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>the option appeared to apply for a CUKR residence card, i.e. to convert temporary protection into a temporary residence permit.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>If you are not sure whether your UKR status is still active, the first step should be to check this at the commune office. Without an active status, the application for CUKR will not be accepted by the system.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2>The CUKR card — conditions and course of the procedure\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>The CUKR residence card is governed by articles 42c and 42d of the Act on assistance to citizens of Ukraine. It can be applied for by Ukrainian citizens who came to Poland in connection with the war, as well as by their spouses and children without Ukrainian citizenship. The conditions are:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli>UKR status on the day the application is filed;\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>holding that status on 4 June 2025 \u003Cstrong>and\u003C\u002Fstrong> continuously for at least 365 days (that period does not have to directly precede the application);\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>paying the fees upfront: PLN 100 for issuing the card and PLN 340 stamp duty for the permit.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>The application is filed exclusively via the MOS portal, in person — a representative cannot sign or send it. The form is accompanied by a photo in JPG format and confirmations of both fees in PDF, and the whole is signed with a trusted profile or qualified signature. For a minor child, the application is filed by a parent or guardian.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>The authority is the voivode competent for the place of stay at the time the application is filed. The statutory deadline for processing is 180 days. As a rule, the voivode does not call for a passport, fingerprints or additional documents — they use data from the registers. After a positive verification, they summon you to collect the card, which has to be done in person within 60 days; an uncollected card is cancelled.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2>What CUKR gives you and what it does not\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>Once the card is collected, temporary protection expires and is automatically converted into a temporary residence permit valid for 3 years. The card gives full right to work and run a business, allows travel in the Schengen area (up to 90 days in any 180-day period), and the time of stay on its basis counts towards the period required for an application for EU long-term resident status.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cp>Limits to keep in mind:\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Cul>\u003Cli>the card cannot be renewed — before 3 years expire you have to apply for a different permit, meeting its ordinary conditions;\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>once the card is collected, you lose the entitlements arising from temporary protection;\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>filing an application for CUKR by operation of law discontinues any pending proceedings for another temporary residence permit.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>The last point is particularly important for people already waiting for a decision on temporary residence and work. Filing a CUKR application \"just in case\" closes that case.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2>Alternatives: when the standard route is better\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Ctable>\u003Cthead>\u003Ctr>\u003Cth>Situation\u003C\u002Fth>\u003Cth>Solution to consider\u003C\u002Fth>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003C\u002Fthead>\u003Ctbody>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>UKR status active, no other residence case\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>the CUKR card — the simplest procedure\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Proceedings for temporary residence and work are pending, decision close\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>analyse whether to finish that case rather than filing for CUKR\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Pole's Card or Polish origin\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>permanent residence permit\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>Marriage to a Polish citizen\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>temporary residence on the basis of marriage, then permanent residence\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>High qualifications and appropriate salary\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>EU Blue Card\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003Ctr>\u003Ctd>No UKR status (e.g. lost)\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003Ctd>an ordinary temporary residence permit, e.g. for the purpose of work or business activity\u003C\u002Ftd>\u003C\u002Ftr>\u003C\u002Ftbody>\u003C\u002Ftable>\u003Cp>With a longer perspective, it is worth planning ahead: the 3 years' validity of CUKR is a good time to gather the documents needed for EU long-term resident status or for a permit linked to work or business.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2>Example: a family with a child born in Poland\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>Ms Olena arrived in Poland in March 2022, has UKR status and works on an employment contract. Her son was born in Wrocław in 2024 and also has UKR status. Ms Olena files the CUKR application first — for a child born in Poland from 24 February 2022 onwards, the requirement is precisely that the mother has already been issued a CUKR card. The child does not have to meet the 365-day condition or the status as at 4 June 2025. The son's card will be valid for as long as the mother's card is.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2>The most common mistakes\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cul>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Inconsistent data in the registers.\u003C\u002Fstrong> If the data on the MOS account differ from those in PESEL or in the UKR register, the system will not accept the application. You have to correct the data at the commune first.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Paper application.\u003C\u002Fstrong> An application filed outside the MOS service is left without consideration.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Fee paid after filing the application\u003C\u002Fstrong> or to the wrong account — missing any of the fees leads to refusal.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>Failure to collect the card on time\u003C\u002Fstrong> — after 60 days the card is cancelled.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003Cli>\u003Cstrong>No plan for the next stage.\u003C\u002Fstrong> The card expires after 3 years and is not subject to extension.\u003C\u002Fli>\u003C\u002Ful>\u003Cp>The rules of running a business by foreigners are described in our guide \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fen\u002Fadvice\u002Fstarting-business-as-foreigner\">on setting up a company in Poland by a foreigner\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>\u003Ch2>How Good Balance can help\u003C\u002Fh2>\u003Cp>We will check whether in your situation the CUKR card or continuing other proceedings is better, and will help you prepare the application in MOS. We also support you in the next stages — from \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fen\u002Fservices\u002Flegalization\u002Fliving-with-country-citizen\">legalising the stay of families and spouses of Polish citizens\u003C\u002Fa> through to an application for a \u003Ca href=\"\u002Fen\u002Fservices\u002Flegalization\u002Fpermanent-residence-permit\">permanent residence permit\u003C\u002Fa>.\u003C\u002Fp>","2026-10-09"]