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

In the first nine months of 2024, 2,900 citizens of Belarus applied for international protection in Poland, Rzeczpospolita reports with reference to 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, so the question of increasing funds for their maintenance arose. The Polish government found money, which was allocated from the special reserve of the Office for Foreigners.

By October 1, a total of 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 - citizens of Ukraine (4,500), the third - 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 - they were issued more than 307 thousand first residence permits. And the majority of Belarusians - more than 255.5 thousand - settled in Poland.