Poland Again Extends Suspension Of Asylum Applications At Border With Belarus

Reform.news Editorial Team · 18 September 2026, 08:42

https://reform.news/en/poland-again-extends-suspension-of-asylum-applications-at-border-with-belarus/

The Polish government has extended for another 60 days the temporary suspension of the right to submit applications for international protection at the border with Belarus.

On Sept. 4, the Sejm approved the government initiative.

The right to submit applications at the border with Belarus was suspended on March 27, 2025. Since then, the suspension has been extended eight times. For each 60-day extension, the government is required to obtain the Sejm’s approval.

The justification for the decision says that the instrumentalization of migration is continuing. Dangerous incidents have regularly occurred at the border, during which aggressive foreigners attacked Polish patrols by throwing stones, bottles, smoldering branches, bricks and sticks fitted with knives and nails. It also says that Belarusian services have been actively involved in the attacks, both covertly and openly.

“Numerous cases of direct attacks by representatives of Belarusian services have been recorded, including the use of firearms, throwing stones at Polish service personnel present along the border line, and blinding them with lasers or powerful strobe lights, which hindered attempts by migrants to cross the border illegally,” PAP quoted the justification for the decision as saying.

It also refers to the relatively new practice of digging tunnels under border barriers.

From the introduction of the restriction through Aug. 16, 2026, the Polish side refused to accept applications from 492 foreigners. At the same time, applications from 178 people belonging to so-called vulnerable groups were accepted. These include unaccompanied minors, pregnant women and people who may require care because of their age and health condition. Border guards may also accept an application if the circumstances clearly indicate a risk of serious harm to the person in the country from which they directly entered Poland.