February 6th, 2023 at 07:45 am
If you are a non-EU/EEA citizen and wish to stay, study, and work in Poland, you need to apply for a residence permit. If you are a citizen of the EU, you will only need to register your stay. The Poland residence permit is used as proof of the reasoning behind your stay. There are two residence permits available in Poland:
- Temporary residence permit which is valid for one to three years.
- Permanent residence permit which is valid for ten years.
- 3. Poland Eu Blue Card residence permit for professional workers.
Both permits offer different opportunities when it comes to residing in Poland.
What Is a Polish Temporary Residence Permit?
A temporary residence permit for Poland is the permit that is initially issued to someone moving to Poland. You will get a temporary residence permit when you apply for any Polish long-stay D visa (for work, studies, or family reunification, etc).
Conditions of the Poland Temporary Residence Permit
Here are the conditions for the temporary residence permit for Poland:
| Duration: | Max. 3 years. Can not be extended, but you can re-apply for the permit before your expiration date. |
| Conditions: | You must have a “reason” to be in Poland, such as a family member, a work permit from a Polish employer, or an acceptance letter from a Polish university. |
| Benefits: | You can live and work in Poland. You can also visit all the other countries in the EU without a visa for the duration of your residence permit. |
How to Apply for a Temporary Residence in Poland?
Before you apply for a residence permit, you must be issued a Poland long-stay visa by the Polish embassy. Then, after arriving in Poland you must follow these steps to legalize your stay:
- Locate the nearest Voivodeship Office. In order for you to legalize your temporary stay, you need to locate a voivodeship office – more specifically in the Foreign Affairs Department.
- Collect all required documents. Before applying for a Poland temporary residence permit, you must complete the required document. See the “Document Checklist” below.
- Translate all required documents into Polish. All required documents for a Poland temporary residence permit must be translated into Polish and legalized before submission. You are required to submit both the original and copies of the documents. Your original documents will be returned to you after the application process.
- Submit the required documents. You need to submit the application for a temporary residence permit and all its required documents to your nearest voivodeship office.
- Pay the fee. The price for the temporary residence permit is around €94.
- Wait for an answer. After finishing all of the steps above, wait for an answer. The processing time for a temporary residence permit takes approximately one month in practice.
Documents Required for a Polish Temporary Residence Permit
The required documents for a Polish temporary residence permit application are:
- The temporary residence application form. You must submit two copies of the form.
- Four photos. Photos must be in accordance with the visa photo guidelines and requirements.
- A valid passport. Passport must be submitted in both original and copied versions.
- Payment of the stamp duty fee, which is around €11.
- Health insurance. The medical insurance system in Poland is not free and you are required to have health insurance beforehand. If by any chance you do not, you must acquire health insurance in Poland.
- For the student national visa, you must submit the university acceptance letter.
- For the work visa, you must submit the work permit issued by a Polish employer.
- For the family reunification visa, you must provide documentation that proves your relationship with the Polish citizen.
You may be asked to submit additional documents for your temporary residence permit application. Depending on your position you must submit:
- Documents that show the Polish origin of your parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents and documents that prove your relationship to them.
- If applicable, a copy of your valid Poles card. You are also required to submit the original document but it will be returned to you after the application process
- Documents that show the reason behind your stay in Poland.
- Marriage certificate if you are married to a Polish citizen.
- Identification card of the Polish spouse.
- Proof that you pay taxes.
Validity of a Poland Temporary Residence Permit
The Poland temporary residence permit is valid from one year to three years. You can extend or renew the permit, provided that you still meet the initial conditions. After five years, you can apply for a permanent residence permit.
Poland Residence Card
The residence card is a document that confirms your identity during your stay in Poland. You will get a Residence Card if you have one of the following:
- Temporary residence permit.
- Permanent residence permit.
- Refugee status.
- Humanitarian residence permit.
The residence card, together with your passport, allows you to enter and leave the Polish border without needing a visa. It also allows you to work and study in Poland. A residence card is a document that is given to you if you have a:
The cost for the residence card is €11. If by any chance, your residence card is damaged, lost, or stolen, you are allowed to apply for a replacement for the card. You can also apply for a residence card replacement if:
- The information you initially provided for the card has changed.
- If your appearance has changed to the point that you are no longer recognizable on the photo of your residence card.
When Can I Apply for Permanent Residency in Poland?
You can apply for permanent residency in Poland at least five years of living with a temporary residence permit. In some cases (e.g. marriage to a Polish citizen), you can submit an application quicker. You must apply for a permanent residence permit before your temporary residence permit expires. The application can be submitted physically or by post.