Nearly 3K Belarusians applied for political asylum in Poland this year

In the first nine months of 2024, 2,900 Belarus citizens applied for international protection in Poland, Rzeczpospolita reports, quoting the spokesman for the Office for Foreigners, Jakub Dudziak. He told the publication that the number of foreigners seeking international protection in Poland is growing, prompting the Polish government to increase funds for their maintenance. The government found the necessary resources, which were allocated from the special reserve of the Office for Foreigners.

By October 1, 12,300 applications from foreigners seeking protection had been submitted. This was significantly more than in previous years. For the whole of last year, 9.5 thousand applications were filed, while in 2021, 7.7 thousand. Belarusians are in second place by the number of applications filed this year. In the first place are citizens of Ukraine (4,500), the third are Russians (800). Then come refugees from Somalia and Eritrea (500 applications each).

Last year, citizens of Belarus also received more than 280 thousand first residence permits in the EU countries. Only Ukrainians received more - 307 thousand. More than 255,500 Belarusians settled in Poland.