Number of Belarusians with a valid residence permit in Poland fell by 14,400 since January

As of 1 October 2026, 129,800 Belarusian citizens were living in Poland on the basis of a residence permit, according to Office for Foreigners data analysed by the outlet MOST. Since the start of the year the number of Belarusians holding valid residence cards has fallen by 14,400.

Most of the decline came from temporary permits: the number of Belarusians with temporary residence cards dropped by almost 14,300, from over 88,800 at the start of the year to 74,600 in October. According to the outlet, some holders of work-based permits may have returned home or moved to another country after their cards expired, while others are stuck between cards: the old one has expired and no decision has been made on the new one. Many humanitarian permits issued three years ago also expire in 2026.

The number of Belarusians with EU long-term resident cards rose by almost 600, from 2,100 to 2,700. Holders of permanent residence cards decreased by 528, to 41,200 from 41,700; the likely reason is that people with Polish roots obtained Polish citizenship.

The number of those legalised under subsidiary protection fell from almost 10,000 to 9,700, while the number with refugee status rose to 1,300 from 1,000 at the start of the year.