A total of 49 integration centers for foreigners are planned to be opened in Poland in 2025

In 2025, Poland plans to simplify the adaptation process for foreigners in the country. To achieve this, 49 integration centers will be established in major cities, where migrants will have access to all necessary services. The project will be implemented as part of the Migration Strategy, which the Polish government aims to execute by 2030.

Purpose of Integration Centers

Integration centers for foreigners operating in Poland are state institutions that provide services to migrants. Most of these services are free and are designed to help migrants quickly adapt to Polish society. The main objectives of creating integration centers include:

• providing foreigners with informational and other types of support;
• assisting in solving social, legal, and cultural issues faced by migrants.

Details regarding the exact locations and operations of the Integration Centers (CIC) are not yet outlined in the migration policy strategy. However, official sources have already provided information about staff recruitment (No. FAMI.02.01-IZ.00-004/24) for such centers. This indicates active preparations for the opening of the first CICs.

Documents also reveal that CICs are envisioned as spaces where:

• a wide range of services can be accessed;
• local integration strategies will be developed;
• as many migrant groups as possible will be covered.

Integration centers will not only assist foreigners but also gather information to better identify the social profiles of migrants and adapt services to their actual needs. This approach aims to improve operational efficiency and accelerate the adaptation process for newcomers.

Services Provided by Integration Centers

CICs will assist with both social and professional integration of foreigners. The planned services include:

• information support – For those new to the country and unsure of their next steps, CICs will provide guidance.
• assistance with essential needs – Help with finding housing, arranging childcare or elderly care, selecting a family doctor, obtaining medical assistance, insurance, banking services, and more.
• employment assistance – Support for professional integration and organization of specialized training.
• polish language courses – Designed for migrants from different countries.
• social integration – Learning about Polish culture, traditions, and how the educational and labor systems function.
• legal assistance – Helping resolve issues of varying complexity through consultations with specialists.

Psychological support – Providing help for migrants who often require psychological assistance during the adaptation process, especially after relocating from difficult living conditions.

Additionally, creative meetings, recreational and sports events for children and adults are planned to help overcome cultural and language barriers more quickly. The main goal of CICs is to help foreigners adopt the norms and rules that guide Polish society. This will promote mutual understanding in the community and minimize conflicts arising from cultural or traditional differences.

Advantages and Features of CICs for Migrants

Unlike traditional Migrant Centers, CICs promise to be more modern, accessible, and reliable. Integration centers offer:

• digital services – Quick booking for consultations, language courses, or document applications.
• coordination via mobile applications – Locate the nearest CIC on a map, check its schedule, or make an appointment with just a few clicks.
• easier employment opportunities – Through partnerships with local employers.
• specialized training programs – Retraining programs for professionals from various industries seeking certification in Poland.
• financial literacy courses – To better understand the local banking system, taxation, and family budget planning.
• family support – Additional language lessons or integration activities in preschools, as well as assistance in obtaining children's medical insurance and education documents.
• cultural integration – Festivals, workshops, and hobby clubs to familiarize migrants with Polish traditions and foster communication with locals.

In the long term, the work of CICs aims to achieve social cohesion, ensuring that both migrants and Poles feel comfortable interacting with one another. Properly organized work with foreigners will also positively impact Poland's image.

When and Where Will CICs Open

A total of 49 Integration Centers will be opened in various cities, including smaller towns in Poland, where resources and support for foreigners are often lacking. Plans for the construction of the first centers have already been presented in official sources. Projects are being developed for Gorzów Wielkopolski and Zielona Góra.

According to projections, the first CICs will begin operations in 2025. The project, including its operation through 2029, has already been allocated 430 million PLN. Funding will come from sources including the European Social Fund and FAMI2014. The services provided by CICs are planned to be entirely free for foreigners.

Who Are the Integration Centers For and What Are the Expectations?

CICs will be open to citizens of various countries. However, their services are primarily targeted at Ukrainians and Belarusians living in Poland, as well as Georgians and migrants from Asia and Africa.

Both the authorities and migrants themselves have high hopes for CICs. The government expects that these centers will:

• improve the quality of life for migrants in Poland;
• increase tolerance and mutual understanding between locals and foreigners;
• reduce barriers to social interaction and integration;
• help migrants adapt and access essential services.

Providing all necessary services for foreigners in one place is not only more convenient but also more effective. Integration Centers are expected to help both migrants and the local population improve mutual understanding and enhance the quality of interaction.

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