Eligibility quiz
Are you married to a Polish citizen?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Poland
You can live in Poland for the period in your decision, normally more than 3 months and no more than 3 years.
You can rent a home, open a bank account and use public and private services.
Study in Poland
You can study in Poland while you live there legally.
Work in Poland
If you have permission as the spouse of a Polish citizen, you can work without a separate work permit.
If your permission is for joining a foreign family member, you can generally work without one; check your card and decision for exceptions.
You can also run a business under the rules for legally resident foreign nationals.
Travel in Schengen
Your residence card proves your permission to stay and, with a valid travel document, normally lets you return to Poland.
Together, they normally let you visit the Schengen area without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, if you meet the other entry conditions.
They do not let you settle or work in another Schengen country.
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 stay in Poland. This is where you apply for a temporary residence permit as the spouse of a Polish citizen.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Polish voivodeship office handles temporary residence permits for a family member of a Polish citizen in your city?”
Get the application form
Get the current temporary residence permit application form and its attachments from the Polish foreigners’ online service, MOS.
Get the application formSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where can I get the current Poland temporary residence permit application form for a family member of a Polish citizen?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the voivodeship office.
See required documentsFill in the form
Fill in and sign your temporary residence permit application. You can use MOS to prepare it, but you must print and sign the paper form.
Get help filling itSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Poland temporary residence permit application for a family member of a Polish citizen?”
Hand in your application
Hand in your signed paper application and documents to your voivodeship office while you are lawfully in Poland; ask the office how it accepts applications. Pay any required application fee using the method the office gives you.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Poland temporary residence permit application for a family member of a Polish citizen at the voivodeship office in your city?”
Attend the local office
Go to the voivodeship office in person when required or called. Show your travel document and give your fingerprints and any original documents the office asks for.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I attend the voivodeship office in your city for a Poland temporary residence permit for a family member of a Polish citizen?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the office to decide your application. Answer its questions and provide any further documents or explanations it asks for.
See what happens nextSearches DuckDuckGo for “What happens after I submit a Poland temporary residence permit application for a family member of a Polish citizen?”
Get your residence card
Once your permit is approved, complete the residence-card formalities and collect your card as the office directs. The card shows that you have permission to stay in Poland.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get a residence card after approval of a Poland temporary residence permit for a family member of a Polish citizen in your city?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Marriage certificate
Provide your marriage certificate for your marriage to your Polish spouse. For a visa, provide the original or an officially certified copy.
Spouse's citizenship records
Provide evidence of your Polish spouse's Polish passport or identity card to show their identity and Polish citizenship. For a visa, provide the original or an officially certified copy.
Proof of genuine marriage *
Provide the evidence the office asks for to show that your marriage to your Polish spouse is genuine. The office may also ask you for an explanation.
* Only if you apply for a residence permit and the office asks for proof your marriage is genuine.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Maintaining your stay
Keep your travel document and residence card valid, and maintain the family life on which your stay is based.
If the reason for your stay ends, tell the regional governor within 15 days, unless you pursue another application and legal basis.
Failure to report it can lead to your permission being withdrawn.
Permission can end
Your permission ends when it expires or another status replaces it.
It can be withdrawn if your reason for staying ends, you no longer qualify, or for fraud, security, public-order or other legal grounds.
After a final refusal, withdrawal or end to your application without a decision, you normally have 30 days to leave unless you have another legal basis to stay.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
EU Freedom of Movement Support Initiative
English Facebook group for people living in Poland interested in Polish visas
Request to joinAmecan -USA Canada Australia Europe Japan-Visitor & Student Visa Specialist
English Facebook group for people living in Poland interested in Polish visas
Join on FacebookTRC Poland – Complex & Non-Standard Residence Permit Cases
English Facebook group for people living in Poland interested in Polish visas
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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