It's 7 a.m. in Warsaw. Priya, a nurse from India, just filed her application for international protection. She's holding a single paper — a zaświadczenie — and she's scared. Can she stay? Can she work? What about her two kids and school? Her cousin told her she has "no rights" until a decision comes. Her cousin was wrong.
Knowing your rights while waiting for international protection in Poland changes everything. The wait is long — 12 to 18 months on average — but you are not powerless during it. You have a legal right to stay. You can get money, healthcare, and school for your children. After six months, you can apply to work. This guide walks you through each right, in plain words, step by step.
Your Right to Stay Legally During the Procedure
The moment you apply, you become legal. The Urząd do Spraw Cudzoziemców (Office for Foreigners) registers your case and gives you a zaświadczenie — a certificate. This is your legal basis to stay in Poland. Keep it safe. It proves you applied and that your procedure is open.
You also get a stempel — a stamp — placed in your travel document. The stamp confirms your stay is legal while the office reviews your case. And here is the rule that matters most: you cannot be deported while your case is pending. Not while it's being decided. Not while you appeal. Your stay is protected by law.
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Within a short time you also receive a tymczasowe zaświadczenie tożsamości cudzoziemca (TZTC) — a temporary ID document for foreigners. This is your identity card during the procedure. Use it when you open a bank account, register your address, or deal with the official immigration authority. One warning: you cannot travel back to the country you fled, and travel to other Schengen countries is restricted. Stay in Poland until your case is decided.
Your Right to Work After 6 Months
This is the question almost everyone asks first: can I work? Yes — but not on day one. The rule, updated in 2024, is clear. If the Office for Foreigners has not decided your case within 6 months from filing (and the delay is not your fault), you gain the right to apply for permission to work. If you are in the appeal stage, the timing extends to around 9 months.
Once you have permission, you can take a legal job. But remember: an employer still needs to agree to hire you and complete their part of the paperwork. The permission opens the door — you and the employer walk through it together. Many of our clients from Nepal, Vietnam, and the Philippines start working in logistics, care, hospitality, and construction during their wait.
When you start working, you pay into the system through ZUS, the Polish social insurance institution. That gives you proper social and health coverage tied to your job. Always insist on a legal contract — umowa o pracę or a clear civil contract. Cash-in-hand work gives you no protection and can hurt your case.
Practical tip: Rahman, a welder from Bangladesh, waited 7 months with no decision. He applied for work permission, got it, and a Warsaw fabrication shop hired him on a legal contract. By the time his protection was granted 9 months later, he already had a salary, ZUS coverage, and a landlord's reference. Patience plus paperwork — that's how you turn a long wait into a strong life.
Financial Support, Housing and Healthcare
You will not be left with nothing. The system provides two paths, and you choose based on where you live.
If you live inside a reception center, you get accommodation, meals, and roughly PLN 70 per day in pocket money to cover small needs. The main centers are Dębak (Podkowa Leśna), Linin, Białystok, Lublin, and Podgórze. Inside a center you also receive basic medical care on site.
If you choose to live outside a center, you apply for a cash allowance — świadczenie pieniężne. The rate is around PLN 750 per month for an adult, plus about PLN 250 for each child. With this money you rent your own place and run your own household. Many families prefer this for privacy and to stay near a chosen school or job.
On healthcare: inside a center you get basic medical care directly. Outside a center, you are entitled to basic and emergency care. Once you start working legally and pay through ZUS, you join the public health system run by the National Health Fund (NFZ). Keep all medical papers and referrals — they help if you need ongoing treatment for yourself or your children.
School, Polish Courses and Legal Help
Your children have the right to go to a Polish public school — for free — the same as Polish children. This right does not wait for your decision. Register them as soon as you can. The Ministry of Education and Science sets the rules, and schools provide extra Polish-language lessons for new students. For adults, Polish language courses are available too, and learning the language helps with work and with your case.
You also have the right to a lawyer or legal representative. Free legal aid is available through designated organizations during the procedure. And one more thing you must never forget: you cannot be detained simply for seeking protection. Asking for asylum is your right, not a crime.
What if you're rejected? You have 14 days to appeal — and your rights continue during the appeal. Read our full guide on the appeal process that actually works. And before your decision, the interview matters more than almost anything; prepare with our guide on the international protection interview in Poland.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work while waiting for international protection in Poland?
Yes, but not immediately. If the Office for Foreigners hasn't decided your case within 6 months of filing (and the delay isn't your fault), you can apply for permission to work. During an appeal, the timing is around 9 months. An employer must still agree to hire you and complete their paperwork.
How much money do asylum seekers get per month in Poland?
If you live outside a reception center, the cash allowance is about PLN 750 per month per adult, plus around PLN 250 per child. Inside a center you get accommodation, meals, and roughly PLN 70 per day in pocket money instead of the full cash allowance.
Can I be deported while my asylum case is still open in Poland?
No. While your case is pending — including during your appeal — you cannot be deported. Your zaświadczenie and the stamp in your travel document prove your stay is legal. You cannot be detained simply for asking for protection.
Can my children go to school while we wait for a decision?
Yes. Children of asylum seekers have the right to attend Polish public schools for free, just like Polish children. This right applies during the whole procedure. Register them as soon as you can, and the school will offer extra Polish-language support.
What document proves my identity during the procedure?
You receive a tymczasowe zaświadczenie tożsamości cudzoziemca (TZTC) — a temporary foreigner ID document. Use it to open a bank account, register your address, and prove who you are. Keep it together with your zaświadczenie certificate.
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