#Alert: State of the epidemic has been lifted! What does this mean for foreigners?

On May 16, 2022, as previously announced, the Minister of Health lifted the epidemic state in Poland and introduced the state of epidemic emergency. It will be in force until further notice.

The introduction of the state of epidemic emergency does not affect the legal situation of foreigners in Poland once this state is pending. Solutions introduced for them, under so-called COVID-19 regulations are in force both during an epidemic and an epidemic emergency.

This means that automatic extensions periods of validity of e g. temporary residence permits, national visas, work permits and periods authorizing to work on the basis of declarations on entrusting work to a foreigner (special permissions), the end of which falls on the duration of the epidemic emergency, will continue to apply until the end of the 30th day following the date of lifting of this state.

Assuming that the Ministry of Health will stay on course of easing the covid restrictions, foreigners who use only extensions resulting from the so-called COVID-19 regulations and do not hold updated documents authorizing them to stay and work in Poland, should treat this change as a signal to regulate their legal situation for the time after lifting the epidemic emergency and take necessary steps now to obtain these documents. According to the announcement of the Minister of Health the lifting of this state should be expected in September this year at the earliest.