Refugees and subsidiary protection beneficiaries enjoy full freedom of movement in Poland. They can freely choose a place where they want to live, authorities do not require them to live in some particular areas of the country.
There are no specific facilities for refugees and subsidiary protection beneficiaries in Poland. They are entitled to stay in reception centres up until 2 months after the decision on the asylum application becomes final. Afterwards, they have to organise all living conditions themselves.
Beneficiaries are obliged to reside in a place (within the specified voivodeship) agreed with the authorities during the 12 months of the Individual Integration Programme (IPI) (see Social welfare).[1] In general, a change of a place of residence is equated with the termination of the programme. However, a change of residence is allowed in particularly justified cases, e.g. in case of:
- finding a job in another region with a possibility of accommodation;
- obtaining accommodation in another region;
- family reunification, when the possibility to live together exists;
- medical reasons justifying a move.
In those cases, the beneficiary has to inform authorities about the move and its reasoning. Then, the programme can continue in a new place of living.
Refugees and subsidiary protection beneficiaries are not assigned to a specific residence for reasons of public interest or public order.
[1] Article 94 of Law of 12 March 2004 on social assistance.