Polish government-in-exile

Government of the Republic of Poland in exile Rząd Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej na uchodźstwie (Polish)
1939–1990
Flag Coat of arms (1956–1990)
Anthem: Poland Is Not Yet Lost
Status	Government in exile
Capital	Warsaw
Capital-in-exile	Paris (1939–1940) Angers (1940) London (1940–1990)
Common languages	Polish
President
• 1939–1947 (first)	Władysław Raczkiewicz
• 1989–1990 (last)	Ryszard Kaczorowski
Prime Minister
• 1939–1943 (first)	Władysław Sikorski
• 1986–1990 (last)	Edward Szczepanik
Historical era	World War II and Cold War
• Government evacuated from Poland and interred in Romania	17 September 1939
• Presidency ceded by Ignacy Mościcki to Władysław Raczkiewicz	30 September 1939
• Sikorski–Mayski agreement	30 July 1941
• Loss of wide diplomatic recognition	5 July 1945
• Diplomatic recognition withdrawn by last country	19 October 1972
• Handover of national insignia to Warsaw government	22 December 1990
• Liquidation of apparatus accomplished	31 December 1991
Preceded by Succeeded by Second Polish Republic Provisional Government of National Unity Third Polish Republic

Part of a series on the
Polish Underground State
History of Poland 1939–1945
Authorities Government Administration Parliament Courts
Political organizations Major parties Polish Socialist Party People's Party National Party Labour Party Minor parties Camp of National Unity Democratic Party Jewish Labour Bund Hashomer Hatzair Betar (Zionist youth) Opposition National Radical Camp Polish Workers' Party
Military organizations Home Army (AK) Service for Poland's Victory (SZP) Armed Resistance (ZWZ) Gray Ranks National Security Corps (PKB) Mostly integrated with Armed Resistance and Home Army Gwardia Ludowa WRN Peasant Battalions Partially integrated with Armed Resistance and Home Army National Military Organization National Armed Forces Camp of Fighting Poland Pomeranian Griffin Confederation of the Nation Non-integrated but recognizing authority of Armed Resistance and Home Army Jewish Combat Organization Jewish Military Union Opposition Armia Ludowa
Related topics Cultural activities Education History of Poland during 1939–1945
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The Polish government-in-exile, officially known as the Government of the Republic of Poland in exile (Polish: Rząd Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej na uchodźstwie), was the government in exile of Poland formed in the aftermath of the Invasion of Poland of September 1939, and the subsequent occupation of Poland by Germany, the Soviet Union, and the Slovak Republic, which brought to an end the Second Polish Republic.

Despite the occupation of Poland by hostile powers, the government-in-exile exerted considerable influence in Poland during World War II through the structures of the Polish Underground State and its military arm, the Armia Krajowa (Home Army) resistance. Abroad, under the authority of the government-in-exile, Polish military units that had escaped the occupation fought under their own commanders as part of Allied forces in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

After the war, as the Polish territory came under the control of the communist Polish People's Republic, the government-in-exile remained in existence albeit without effective power. It lost recognition of the majority of states upon formation of the Provisional Government of National Unity on 5 July 1945 though continued to be hosted and informally supported by the United Kingdom, while the last country to withdraw its diplomatic recognition on 19 October 1972 was the Holy See (the Vatican City). However, only after the end of communist rule in Poland did the government-in-exile formally pass its responsibilities and insignia onto the government of the Third Polish Republic at a special ceremony held on 22 December 1990 at the Royal Castle in Warsaw, while the liquidation of its apparatus was declared accomplished on 31 December 1991.

The government-in-exile was based in France during 1939 and 1940, first in Paris and then in Angers. From 1940, following the Fall of France, the government moved to London, and remained in the United Kingdom until its dissolution in 1990.