Eligibility quiz
Did one of your parents belong to the Polish people?
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
Applying at a local officeApplying at a local office
Find your local office
Find the voivodeship office responsible for the place where you are staying in Poland.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Poland voivodeship office handles permanent residence permits for your city?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your permanent residence application.
See required documentsFill in the form online
Create a new account in Poland’s Case Handling Module, called MOS, and sign in through login.gov.pl. Fill in the permanent residence application and upload your documents.
Fill in the formSubmit your application
Sign and submit your application electronically in MOS no later than the last day of your lawful stay in Poland. Use a trusted profile or another electronic signature accepted by MOS.
Submit your applicationPay any application fee
Pay any fee shown by MOS using its payment instructions. If you apply with a valid Pole’s Card, you do not pay the permanent residence permit application fee; a separate residence card fee may apply.
Find payment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the Poland permanent residence permit application fee in MOS?”
Attend your office appointment
Wait for your local voivodeship office to send appointment details, then bring your original travel document and any originals it asks to see. Give your fingerprints and a sample signature at the appointment.
Find appointment informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I attend a Poland permanent residence appointment after applying through MOS?”
Wait for the decision
Follow your case in MOS while the voivodeship office decides. Answer its questions and provide any additional documents it asks for.
Follow your applicationCollect your residence card
Once approved, follow your office’s instructions to pay any separate card fee and collect your residence card. Your permanent residence permit has no end date; the card is issued for 10 years and is then exchanged.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay for and collect my Poland permanent residence card from the voivodeship office in your city?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates *
Get birth records showing the family link between you and your Polish parent, grandparent or two great-grandparents. Include records for the generations between you and them; if you were adopted, include the adoption decision. Use originals or certified copies.
* Only if you use family records to prove your Polish origin or qualify for a Pole’s Card.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationMarriage certificates *
Get the marriage records that connect the names in your family records, including those of your Polish parent, grandparent or two great-grandparents where relevant. If a divorce or name change explains a difference in names, include that record too. Use originals or certified copies.
* Only if you need them to show your family link.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationRelatives' Polish records *
Get records showing that your parent, grandparent or both great-grandparents were Polish. These can include civil records, identity documents, military records, deportation records or other official records showing their Polish nationality or origin. Use originals or certified copies.
* Only if you use family records to prove your Polish origin or qualify for a Pole’s Card.
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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