Poland is transitioning to full digitalization: rules for Ukrainians are changing from April 27

In Poland, new rules for submitting documents for foreigners, including citizens of Ukraine, will come into force on April 27, 2026. From now on, paper applications for legalization of stay and employment will actually lose their validity – they will be replaced by the electronic system MOS 2.0 (Moduł Obsługi Spraw).

The end of paper applications

According to the new requirements, documents submitted in paper form after April 26 will not be considered. It is important that the date of receipt of documents by the institution, not the date of their sending, is decisive.

The previous version of the MOS system will cease to operate on April 17 due to the technical transition to the new platform.

Who the changes affect

The innovations cover the majority of foreigners, including Ukrainians, who plan to obtain:

a temporary residence and work permit;

permanent residence;

long-term EU resident status.

To submit an application, you must have a PESEL number, as well as access to the state system login.gov.pl – through a trusted profile (profil zaufany) or an electronic signature.

The new role of the employer

Digitalization also changes the procedure for interacting with the employer. After the employee submits an application, the system automatically sends a request to the employer, who must electronically fill out and sign the relevant appendix.

If the employer does not confirm the data within 30 days, the consideration of the application will be automatically suspended.

Personal presence remains mandatory

Despite the transition to an electronic format, applicants must still appear in person at the voivodeship office. During the visit, they must present their passport, submit biometric data and confirm the information provided.

Digitalization as a challenge and opportunity

The new rules are designed to speed up administrative procedures and reduce queues. At the same time, they require foreigners, including Ukrainians, to have basic digital skills and preliminary training in electronic identification tools.