Since the 2015 reform of the law, the safe country of origin concept is not applicable in Poland. The draft law submitted in 2017 (and updated in February 2019, yet not adopted as of February 2021) introduces the safe country of origin concept and foresees the adoption of national lists of safe countries of origin and safe third countries.[1]
The concept of first country of asylum is included in the law and reflects the wording of Article 35 of the recast Asylum Procedures Directive. This provision was not relied on in 2020[2] and applied in 4 cases in 2019.[3]
[1] Draft law available (in Polish) at: http://bit.ly/2IqboVu.
[2] Information provided by the Office for Foreigners, 26 January 2021.
[3] Information provided by the Office for Foreigners, 22 January 2020.