Poland’s Border Guard has stepped up the enforcement of immigration compliance, carrying out the forced removal of four foreign nationals on 27 September 2026. According to a statement summarised by the news portal PrawicaPolska, officers from the Maritime Border Guard Unit escorted the individuals – two Ukrainians, one Moldovan and one unnamed foreigner – out of the country after final deportation orders came into force. All four had previously received mandatory ‘return decisions’ but had ignored the deadlines to leave voluntarily. In the most severe case, a 31-year-old Ukrainian who had overstayed since June and been arrested in Kołobrzeg on drug-related charges was handed an eight-year ban on re-entering Poland or any other Schengen state. The Moldovan national, detained at Gdańsk airport, had been involved in organised theft; he too faces an eight-year re-entry prohibition. The remaining two Ukrainians were removed for repeated property crimes and drink-driving offences. Under Poland’s 2013 Act on Foreigners, anyone who threatens public order or seriously violates residence rules can receive a Schengen-wide entry ban of up to ten years. Border Guard officials note that systematic follow-up removals are now easier because travel records are consolidated in the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) and alerts are automatically shared with other Member States. For employers, the case is a reminder that staff found to be working or residing illegally may be summarily expelled, disrupting projects and exposing the company to fines. Mobility managers should double-check that Ukrainian and Moldovan assignees hold valid residence permits or have lodged extension applications before their current documents expire. Because the bans apply to the whole Schengen Area, relocating staff to neighbouring countries is not an option once a prohibition is issued. Looking ahead, Poland expects the number of enforced deportations to rise as the EES and upcoming ETIAS systems flag over-stays in real time. Companies with short-term travellers should prepare for more rigorous exit checks and advise employees to retain boarding passes and hotel receipts to evidence compliance with the 90/180-day rule.
Source: PrawicaPolska
