Population figures
Total country population
40,221,726
Forcibly displaced population
Refugees (under UNHCR's mandate):
980,034
Asylum-seekers:
9,266
IDPs (of concern to UNHCR):
0
Other people in need of international protection:
0
Other
Statelessness persons
0
Host community
0
Others of concern to UNHCR
1,328
Country context
Poland, located in Central Europe, shares its eastern borders with Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia, positioning it as a significant host country for displaced persons in the region. The country has seen fluctuating trends in asylum applications, particularly from neighboring nations.
Poland is a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention but has not ratified the Statelessness Conventions. In terms of access to asylum, the border situation remains challenging, especially in light of legal amendments that penalize irregular border crossings and limit asylum opportunities. Individuals granted access may face lengthy detention periods, with exceptions made for vulnerable groups. Legal reforms, including reviews of the Act on Foreigners and the Act on Protection, aim to align the country’s asylum procedures with international standards while maintaining national security. Efforts to address legislative gaps also include provisions in the Pact on Migration and Asylum.
...The Ukraine-Poland border remains an important site for refugee movements, driven by ongoing conflict and family reunifications. Legal amendments, such as the Special Act for Ukrainian Citizens, provide significant protections for refugees from Ukraine, facilitating their access to social services, including education and healthcare. In 2023, Poland introduced changes to temporary residence permits, focusing on work, business, and professional qualifications, with further amendments expected to allow for longer-term residence permits.
Poland has made progress in offering access to education and employment, with refugees able to work without additional permits. However, stateless individuals still face restrictions in the labor market. The government’s initiatives to improve access to housing, social protection, and financial services aim to enhance integration, but challenges remain, particularly in meeting the needs of the most vulnerable.
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