How to get a PESEL UKR in Poland: step-by-step guide
A PESEL with UKR status is the number that confirms temporary protection in Poland. With it you stay in the country legally, can work without a separate permit, see a doctor under NFZ and apply for benefits. Below is the whole process, from the queue at the office to the finished number.
Who can get a PESEL UKR
Ukrainian citizens who came to Poland because of the war after 24 February 2022, members of their families (including spouses without Ukrainian citizenship), and children of such parents born in Poland.
If you already have an ordinary PESEL — for example, because you worked in Poland before the war — you will not get a new number: only the status in the system changes.
What to bring
- A valid passport or another identity document. For children — a birth certificate or the child's passport.
- A colour photo 35×45 mm, as for Polish documents. Many offices take the photo on the spot, but it is safer to bring your own.
- A Polish phone number and an email address — the confirmation is sent there, and the bank, ZUS and government portals will ask for them later.
Step by step
- Choose a urząd gminy (in a big city — the urząd miasta or dzielnicy). According to gov.pl, any urząd gminy accepts the application, not necessarily the one where you live, so the nearest one is usually easiest. You do not need zameldowanie (address registration) or a rental contract.
- Check on the office's website whether you need to book in advance. Big cities usually use online booking; small gminas serve people in order of arrival.
- At the office, fill in the application (wniosek o nadanie numeru PESEL). The form is available in Polish and Ukrainian.
- The clerk checks your document, takes or accepts the photo and takes fingerprints. Children under 12 are not fingerprinted.
- The number is assigned immediately. Ask for a printout with your PESEL number — you will need it until the number shows up in every system.
What to do right after
- Set up a Profil Zaufany — a free electronic signature for public services. It can often be done during the same visit.
- Install the mObywatel app: it shows your PESEL and your data from state registers.
- Give the number to your employer, school and clinic — contributions, school enrolment and doctor's appointments depend on it.
How not to lose UKR status
Temporary protection ends if you leave Poland for a long time: under the current rules, for more than 30 days in a row. Short trips to Ukraine do not remove the status, but if a trip runs longer, the status has to be restored after you return.
Temporary protection in Poland is valid until 4 March 2027. If you plan to stay longer, you can already switch to a CUKR residence card — there is a separate guide on that.
People who received a PESEL UKR based only on a declaration, without a passport, had to confirm their identity with a valid travel document at any urząd gminy by 31 August 2026. According to gov.pl, those who did not do so had their status changed from UKR to NUE on 1 September 2026, which means losing temporary protection.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a PESEL UKR cost?
Nothing. Assigning a PESEL number to Ukrainian citizens is free; at most you pay for the photo if you have it taken at a photo studio.
Do I need zameldowanie to get a PESEL UKR?
No. You apply at any urząd gminy; address registration is not required.
How can I check that my UKR status is active?
In the mObywatel app or at the urząd gminy, where they can print a certificate showing the status.