Poland: immigration

How many refugees are in Poland?

Poland hosted 990,469 refugees at the end of 2025, according to the UNHCR Refugee Data Finder, along with 13,848 asylum seekers. Most are people from Ukraine with temporary protection, which UNHCR counts as refugees.

The UNHCR figure is based on government data on people with valid protection status, so it counts people who are registered, not everyone who arrived since 2022. The Office for Foreigners administers temporary protection in Poland and publishes the number of valid residence documents and asylum applications.

Official sources: UNHCR: Refugee Data Finder · Office for Foreigners

How long is temporary protection for Ukrainians in Poland?

Temporary protection for people who fled Ukraine has been extended in Poland until 4 March 2027, according to the Office for Foreigners page on temporary protection.

Temporary protection applies to people who came to Poland because of the war in Ukraine. It gives the right to stay, work and use public services without a separate asylum application. People who want to stay longer can apply for other residence permits, and the Office for Foreigners publishes the conditions and current rules on its site.

Official sources: Office for Foreigners: Temporary protection

What is net migration in Poland?

21.1 thousand people registered as immigrants for permanent residence in Poland in 2025 and 10.2 thousand as emigrants, a net gain of about 10.9 thousand, according to Statistics Poland's demographic report up to 2025.

These figures cover only changes of permanent registered residence, so they leave out most labour migrants and people under temporary protection, who make up the bulk of foreigners in Poland. The World Bank estimates the foreign-born population at 4.5% of the total in 2024 from UN data, compared with 1.9% in 2020.

Official sources: GUS: Demographic situation in Poland up to 2025 · World Bank: International migrant stock, Poland

How many Poles live abroad?

About 1.51 million Polish residents were living abroad temporarily at the end of 2025, about 21,000 fewer than a year earlier, according to Statistics Poland's estimates of emigration for temporary stay. The United Kingdom had 412,000, Germany 386,000, the Netherlands 130,000, Norway 76,000 and Ireland 67,000.

The estimate covers people registered as permanent residents of Poland who have stayed abroad for at least 12 months. It measures the number living abroad at the end of each year, not the number leaving in a given year. It does not count people who settled abroad and gave up Polish residence.

Official sources: GUS: Emigration for temporary stay, 2020-2025

How many immigrants live in Poland?

In 2024, the share of people born abroad in Poland was 4.5%, according to the UN Population Division. In 2015 the figure was 1.8%. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 11.7%, and Poland placed 42nd highest of 52. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 94th highest.

Are more people leaving Poland than arriving?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2025, is -330,820. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 158, and Poland placed 51st highest of 52. Worldwide: 188th of 193.

How many refugees are in Poland?

UNHCR puts the number of refugees in the country in Poland at 990,469 in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2024, at 1.01 million; its low point was 2020, at 2,771. Europe & Central Asia median: 62,365; Poland is 3rd highest of 50. World rank, highest first: 8th of 169.

How many refugees have fled Poland?

UNHCR puts the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Poland at 1,368 in 2025. The peak was 19,642 in 2005 and the low 887 in 2021. It is 21st highest of 49 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 533. Of 189 countries with 2025 data, 98th highest.

How big are remittances in Poland's economy?

0.9% of GDP: that is personal remittances received in Poland for 2025, according to the World Bank. No year since 2005 has been lower. Europe & Central Asia median: 1.4% of GDP; Poland is 28th highest of 47. Worldwide: 81st of 127.