PESEL for Ukrainian Citizens

The newly adopted special act (the act of 12 March 2022 on assistance to citizens of Ukraine in connection with the armed conflict on the territory of Ukraine) regulates the issue of providing assistance to Ukrainian citizens in connection with the armed conflict on the territory of Ukraine and, among others, guarantees that war refugees are allowed to legally remain in Poland for 18 months counted from 24 February 2022:

• provided that those persons legally entered the territory of the Republic of Poland on 24 February 2022 and later, and
• declare the intention to stay on the territory of Poland.
  

Pursuant to this act, Ukrainians who crossed the Polish border after the Russian invasion, can also apply for PESEL (Polish National Identification Number).

Ukrainians wishing to obtain the PESEL number may file relevant applications as of 16 March 2022.
 

What is PESEL?

The PESEL number comprises 11 digits that are individually assigned to every person. This unique number allows to identify the date of birth and gender.

Why is it worth having the PESEL number?

PESEL entitles its holder to:

• use the public healthcare system and receive vaccine,
• use family allowance and aid for refugees,
• open a bank account,
• enroll a child in a school,
• conduct business activity,
• PESEL is a tax ID for natural persons.

What are the conditions that a Ukrainian refugee needs to meet in order to obtain the PESEL number?

Every citizen of Ukraine (and a non-Ukrainian spouse of the citizen of Ukraine) who entered the territory of the Republic of Poland after 24 February 2022 directly from the territory of Ukraine in connection with the acts of war on the territory of this country can submit an application to have the PESEL number assigned.

Where to submit the PESEL application?

Applications for assigning the PESEL number may be submitted to the nearest (any) municipal entity all over the country. Some offices require that visitors make a prior appointment.

A joint mass points where Ukrainian citizens can submit their PESEL applications have recently been opened in Warsaw (the National Stadium) and in Cracow (Tauron Arena).

Application form

Standard format of the application for assigning the PESEL number in connection with the conflict in Ukraine (available in the following language versions: Ukrainian and Polish or Russian and Polish) can be found here: https://mc.bip.gov.pl/ogloszenia/wzor-wniosku-o-nadanie-numeru-pesel-w-zwiazku-z-konfliktem-na-ukrainie.html

The application form is also available directly at municipal offices.

Filling in the application

The application shall be filed in person in writing, on paper, with the applicant’s legible handwritten signature, filled in by the applicant or by an employee of the municipal office based on data provided by the applicant.

The application shall contain: name and surname, date and place of birth, country of birth and citizenship, date of entry into Poland, Ukrainian identification number (provided that the applicant has been assigned one).

Whereas in order to obtain access to a trusted profile the following contact details are additionally required: e-mail address and telephone number. The trusted profile enables remote access to services offered by the state and local administration (e.g. submitting applications for cash benefits) and a mobile document confirming a refugee status that might be useful while handling matters with local administration bodies and healthcare facilities.

Additional documents required to submit an application

While filing the application for assigning the PESEL number the applicant must present a personal identification document used to cross the border, e.g.:

• a biometric passport,
• a Ukrainian internal passport,
• the Pole’s Card (Karta Polaka),
• or any other document with a photograph permitting to establish the identity of its holder,
• for minors below 18 years of age - a birth certificate.
  
  

It is permissible to present a document which has been invalided but allows to confirm the identity of the applicant.

In the event when no identity documents are available, the applicant must submit a relevant statement, under the penalty of perjury.

Photo

The applicant also needs to attach a photo. Some municipal offices offer the possibility of taking a photo on the spot, free of charge.

The photo must meet the same criteria used for national identity card photos, namely it must be in color, 35x45 mm, taken against a plain light-colored background, evenly lit, with a close-up including the top of the head and the top of the shoulders, so that the face takes up 70-80% of the photograph.

Fingerprints

The fingerprints are taken at the application submission from the person concerned (applies to persons over 12 years of age).

Application for assigning the PESEL number to a child

Children under 12 years of age don’t have to be present at the application submission, with the exception of establishing their identity based on a statement. One of the parents, a guardian, guardian ad litem, a temporary guardian appointed by the guardianship court or a person having custody of a given child may lodge the application on his/her behalf.

How much does it cost?

This is a free of charge service.

How long will it take?

The procedure for assigning one PESEL number, along with taking fingerprints, may take up to 30-40 minutes. The applicant shall receive a print-out confirming that the PESEL number has been assigned. If for any reason a person cannot obtain the PESEL number on the application submission day, he/she will be requested to visit the office once again on specific days and hours.