Eligibility quiz
Was at least one of your grandparents of Polish nationality?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Poland for life
You can live in Poland for an unlimited time.
Your residence card confirms your identity and lawful residence in Poland and is valid for 10 years.
Study in Poland
You can access education under the rules that apply to permanent residents.
Work in Poland
You can work in Poland without a work permit.
You can also run a business on the same terms as Polish citizens, following any rules for your particular activity.
Travel across borders
With a valid travel document, your residence card lets you cross Poland's border repeatedly without a visa.
You can visit other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
You need a valid travel document, enough money and an explanation of your visit and its conditions, and you must not be flagged as a security or entry risk.
If you cannot get or renew your national passport, you may be able to get a Polish travel document in certain circumstances.
It is normally valid for one year and lets you cross borders repeatedly.
Use public healthcare
You can use public healthcare if you meet the separate conditions for healthcare cover.
Get social support
You can access social assistance and family benefits if you meet the separate conditions for each benefit.
How to apply
From outside PolandFrom outside Poland
Find your consulate
Find the Polish consulate that serves the place where you live.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Polish consulate serves your city for a Pole’s Card application?”
Get the application form
Get the Polish-language Pole’s Card application form.
Get the formSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I get the Polish Pole’s Card application form?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the consulate and for your permanent-residence application in Poland.
See required documentsFill in the form
Complete and sign the Pole’s Card application form in Polish.
See how to fillSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Polish Pole’s Card application form?”
Book an appointment
Book your consular visit through the e-Konsulat system.
Book an appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book a Polish Pole’s Card appointment through e-Konsulat?”
Go to your appointment
Bring your completed application and required documents to the consulate and apply in person. Make the written declaration before the consul and take part in the Polish-language interview.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “What happens at a Polish Pole’s Card application appointment at the consulate in your city?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the consulate’s decision and answer any requests for more information or documents.
See how longSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a Polish Pole’s Card application take at a consulate?”
Collect your Pole’s Card
Collect your Pole’s Card as the consulate instructs. You can then apply for permanent residence after moving to Poland, but the card is not a visa or permission to settle.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect my Polish Pole’s Card from the consulate in your city?”
Arrange your move
Arrange permission to enter and stay in Poland and travel there. Your Pole’s Card does not replace a visa or other document you may need to enter.
Plan your entrySearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I enter and stay in Poland with a Pole’s Card before applying for permanent residence?”
Once in PolandOnce in Poland
Find your local office
Find the voivodeship office responsible for the place where you stay in Poland.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Polish voivodeship office handles permanent residence applications for your city?”
Select the application form
Open the MOS application system and select the permanent-residence application.
Select the formFill in the application
Sign in through login.gov.pl, create your MOS account and fill in the application online. Upload the required files and enter your email address for the case-status access code.
Fill in the applicationSubmit your application
Sign the application with a Trusted Signature or qualified electronic signature and submit it through MOS. Download and keep the official receipt; without it, your application has not been submitted successfully.
Submit your applicationAttend your appointment
When your office asks you to come in, bring your original travel document and supporting documents. Give your fingerprints and complete any documents the office needs for evidence of your stay.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “What should I bring to a Polish permanent residence appointment at the voivodeship office in your city?”
Wait for the decision
Track your case in MOS using the access code sent to your email. Answer any requests from your office for missing information or documents.
Track your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I track my Polish permanent residence application in MOS?”
Collect your residence card
Follow your office’s instructions for issuing and collecting your residence card. Your permanent-residence permit lets you settle in Poland indefinitely; the card is issued for ten years and is then exchanged.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect my Polish permanent residence card from the voivodeship office in your city?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Get your birth certificate and your parent’s birth certificate to show how you are related to your Polish grandparent. Include your grandparent’s birth record if it helps show their Polish nationality. If you were adopted, add the adoption decision.
Grandparent’s Polish nationality
Provide records showing that your grandparent was of Polish nationality, along with copies. These may include Polish identity or civil records, baptismal or school records, military records, records of deportation, imprisonment or rehabilitation that mention Polish origin, or an identity document from another country that records Polish nationality. Your grandparent’s or parent’s Pole’s Card may also be used.
Marriage certificates *
Get the marriage certificates that connect the names in your family records, such as those of your Polish grandparent or your parent. Include any divorce or name change records needed to explain a change of name.
* Only if a marriage record is needed to show your family ties.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Residence card replacement
You must replace your residence card every 10 years.
An expired card is no longer valid, but its expiry does not end your permanent residence.
Permanent residence can end
Your permanent residence can be withdrawn if its conditions are no longer met or for public safety or public order reasons.
It can also end if you acquire another status that legally replaces it.
If a final decision taking it away requires you to leave Poland, you must leave.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Expats in Warsaw, Poland
English Facebook group for people living in Poland interested in Polish visas
Join on FacebookCudzoziemcy - trudne przypadki
Polish Facebook group for people living in Poland interested in Polish visas
Join on FacebookTemporary residence cards/ Visas/Legalisation in Poland (TRC)
English Facebook group for people living in Poland interested in Polish visas
Request to joinConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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