LWLEGAL · WINWARSZAWA
Consultation
TZTC · refugee status

International Protection

Asylum and subsidiary protection in Poland

If returning to your country of origin endangers your life, freedom or health, you have the right to Poland's protection. Two forms exist: refugee status (1951 Geneva Convention) and subsidiary protection.

Application
day of border crossing
Border Guard or UdSC
TZTC
30 days
temporary ID document
Decision
6 + 6 months
standard + extension
Cost
free
no state fees

Grounds for international protection

01 / 04

Refugee status (1951 Geneva Convention)

Persecution on grounds of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or social group membership.

02 / 04

Subsidiary protection

Real risk of serious harm: death penalty, torture, inhuman treatment, threat to life from armed conflict.

03 / 04

Tolerated stay

When deportation is impossible but refugee / subsidiary grounds are insufficient. No path to PR.

04 / 04

Temporary protection

Active for Ukrainian nationals since 2022. PESEL UKR, work, education, healthcare, benefits.

Procedure timeline

  1. 01

    Application

    day 1

    Filed in person with Border Guard or voivodeship. We prep you for the life-story interview.

  2. 02

    TZTC issued

    day 1–30

    Legalises stay throughout the procedure.

  3. 03

    Accommodation

    procedure

    Reception centre or off-site with PLN 750/month aid.

  4. 04

    Medical exam

    14 days

    Mandatory — health certificate.

  5. 05

    Interview

    1–4 months

    With UdSC officer. Our lawyer present. Transcript kept.

  6. 06

    Decision

    3–6 months

    UdSC Head. Denial — appeal to Refugee Board.

/ documents

Documents at filing

  • Identity documents (passport, ID, birth certificate)01
  • Evidence of persecution: photos, medical reports, witness statements, media02
  • Party/religious/social group membership documents03
  • Country-situation reports (Amnesty, HRW, UNHCR)04
  • Documents on family members already in the EU05
  • Medical records (PTSD, injuries)06
  • Any other evidence of risk on return07

Our work

Consultation
Free
Grounds & strategy
PopularProcedure representation
from 3,000 PLN
Prep + representation
Appeal
from 2,500 PLN
Refugee Board
Complaint to WSA
from 3,500 PLN
Court stage

* Procedure itself is free from state fees. Our fee is payable; state-funded legal aid exists for the indigent.

Legal basis
  • §01Act of 13 June 2003 on Protection of Foreigners
  • §021951 Geneva Convention on refugee status
  • §03Directive 2011/95/EU (qualification)
  • §04Directive 2013/32/EU (procedure)
  • §05Dublin III Regulation 604/2013
/ questions

Frequently asked

  • Legalises your stay during the procedure and entitles you to accommodation and medical care. After 6 months without a decision — labour market access.

Related services

Everything a foreigner needs in Poland

Temporary Residence Card

Karta Czasowego Pobytu — TRC

Appeals & courts

Challenging decisions of the Office for Foreigners

Permanent Residence

Karta Stałego Pobytu — Polish PR

/ Send request

Need protection in Poland — we start today

Strategy and filing in 24 hours. Every day of irregular stay reduces your chances.

Send request+48 506 55 07 21