In order to enter Poland you might need a visa, but to legalise a longer stay, registration or a residence permit is required. The institution responsible for legalisation is the Voivodeship Office. Besides, it is obligatory to register your stay in the Municipality/District Office. It may also be useful to obtain the PESEL number.
ATTENTION!
Repeal of the special provisions put in place for the COVID 19 pandemic
On 1st July 2023 the current epidemic risk state on the territory of Poland will be lifted. As a result, special arrangements for foreigners introduced in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic will be repealed.
Foreigners who took advantage of the repealed legal solutions related to the COVID-19 pandemic have 30 days commencing on 1st July to either return to their country of origin or to ensure their continued legal residence in Poland by submitting relevant applications for a residence permit, residence card etc. (depending on the formal and legal situation of the foreigner concerned).
For detailed information please visit:
or contact the Małopolska Provincial Office in Krakow.
If you are a citizen of the European Union, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein or Switzerland, and you plan to stay in Poland longer than 3 months, you are obliged to register your stay in the Voivodeship Office (Urząd Wojewódzki) of the region (voivodeship) where you intend to reside at latest on the next day following the 3 months. The registration procedure is easy and free-of-charge.
You need to submit the following documents:
- an application form – the application form should be filled in Polish and any documents in foreign languages (such as your MA or PhD diploma, marriage/birth certificate, etc.) have to be translated into Polish by a sworn translator,
- ID or passport,
- in case of employment – employment contract,
- in case of higher education, including PhD education: a confirmation from a higher education institution, health insurance confirmation, and proof of having sufficient financial resources for the stay (also for accompanying family members), e.g. a bank statement or a credit card. The minimum monthly amount is 701 PLN if you come individually, or 528 PLN for each of your family member.
The document confirming the registration is a written statement valid for an indefinite period.
If you are a citizen of a third country (other than EU or EFTA) and your stay exceeds your visa period (or the period of your visa-free movement or your Schengen residence card), you are obliged to legalise your stay after your arrival and obtain a residence permit.
A residence permit is a document that entitles you to:
- reside in Poland legally,
- work in Poland if additional work permit is not required,
- travel within the Schengen countries for the period not exceeding 90 days within each 180-day period. You should however check if it is allowed to work in another Schengen country on the basis of the Polish residence permit; it may be obligatory to obtain a work permit or residence permit in that other country prior to employment.
Residence permits are issued by Voivodeship Offices, competent for the region of your place of residence in Poland. It is highly recommended to submit the application form for the residence permit in person during a pre-arranged appointment. In case there is not enough time to do that, it is possible to send the documents by post, but this prolongs the procedure considerably.
When to apply for the residence permit
You can apply for the residence permit at any time within your legal stay in Poland, at latest on its last day (e.g. on the last day of your visa validity). However, as the procedure is quite long (at least a few months), it is recommended to book the appointment in the Voivodeship Office and to collect all the required documents as soon as possible. After submitting your application together with the required documents, your stay continues to be legal, even after your visa or other document expires.
The residence permit is issued in a form of a plastic card which you should carry at all times in case of control.
Types of residence permit
There are different types of residence permit, depending on the conditions of the stay in Poland. If you are a foreigner conducting scientific research, you can choose between three types of permit:
- Temporary residence permit for the purpose of conducting scientific research,
- Temporary residence permit for highly qualified employees - EU Blue Card,
- Temporary residence and work permit.
When choosing the permit type, you should take into consideration the required documents and some benefits that certain permits may offer, e.g. for family members. The detailed information and complete lists of documents are available on the Euraxess website.
You need to submit the following documents, either in original or a certified copy (sometimes other documents may be required):
- 2 copies of the application form – which should be filled in Polish
- 4 recent colour biometric photos
- 2 copies of a valid travel document (and the original)
- employment contract as a proof of your financial resources both for the stay and the return journey
- health insurance confirmation
- apartment rental agreement, including information about bills
- fee payment confirmation
- sworn translations of all documents issued in languages other than Polish.
More information on legal residence in Poland can be found on the Office for Foreigners website and Euraxess Poland website.
WORD OF ADVICE
If you change your employer/hosting institution or terminate your contract earlier, you are obliged to notify the Voivodeship Office within 15 days. Employers have the same obligation. Also, if you change your address or phone number, you need to inform the Office as these data are used for communicating important information – sending requests for additional documents and permit decisions.
If your visa or previous residence permit has expired and you are waiting for a new residence permit, you are not authorised to cross borders within the European Union Schengen area. You are only allowed to go to your home country but in order to come back to Poland, you will need to get another visa (except for visa free-movement) in a Polish Embassy or Consulate located in your home country.
Contact details of the Małopolska Provincial Office - Voivodeship Office in Krakow.
Applying for a residence permit - practical tips
How to get a residence permit faster - guidelines from the Małopolska Provincial Office
Your family members are: your spouse, your or your spouse's children of up to 21 years of age being financially dependent, and your or your spouse's parents being financially dependent. The registration procedure for family members is subject to charge.
Family members of EU or EFTA citizens
If you are an EU or EFTA citizen AND your family members are EU or EFTA citizens, they should follow the regulations provided in the section: Registration - citizens of EU and EFTA.
If you are an EU or EFTA citizen BUT your family members are not and their intended stay exceeds their visa period (or the period of their visa-free movement or their Schengen residence card), they must apply for a residence permit (a plastic card) at latest on the last day of their legal stay in Poland (though it is highly recommended to apply as soon as possible).
The residence permit for a family member is issued by the Voivodeship Office competent for the place of residence. The following documents are required:
- an application form,
- the registration confirmation of the family member – EU citizen who provides for the family,
- a travel document (passport),
- 5 photographs
- documents confirming family ties: marriage certificates, children's birth certificates and other documents confirming that they are financially dependent.
As all the documents have to be submitted in Polish, documents issued in foreign languages have to be translated by a sworn translator of the Polish language. The residence permit for the family members is issued within 6 months but the Office issues a confirmation of submitting the documents during the visit.
Family members of non-EU or non-EFTA citizens
If neither you nor your family members are an EU or EFTA citizen and your family members' intended stay exceeds their visa period (or the period of their visa-free movement or their Schengen residence card), they must apply for a residence permit (a plastic card) at latest on the last day of their legal stay in Poland (though it is highly recommended to apply as soon as possible).
Since your family members will have various benefits depending on the type of your residence card, their application procedure may also vary. Please consult the Euraxess website for detailed information.
Apart from legalising your stay in the Voivodeship Office it is also obligatory by law to register in a Municipality/District Office (in Polish: meldunek).The procedure is free-of-charge; however, a written confirmation costs PLN 17.
When to register
EU and EFTA citizens as well as their family members register at latest on the 30th day after arrival if the planned stay exceeds 3 months; citizens of other countries need to register at latest on the 4th day after arrival if the planned stay exceeds 30 days.Where to register
For the registration you need to visit a Municipality/District Office competent for the address where you are residing. If you move to another place (city, town, district), you have to register again.What documents are needed
EU and EFTA as well as their family members need the following:
- ID or passport,
- a registration form (signed also by the apartment owner or an authorised person from the hotel/dormitory),
- an apartment rental agreement or hotel/dormitory reservation document,
- family members – additionally a residence card or other document confirming family ties (translated into Polish by a sworn translator).
The registration will be valid for the period of your apartment rental agreement.
Citizens of other countries and their family members need the following:
- passport,
- registration form (signed also by the apartment owner or an authorised person from the hotel/dormitory),
- an apartment rental agreement or hotel/dormitory reservation document,
- visa or a residence permit.
The registration will be valid for the same period as your legal stay in Poland stated in your visa or residence permit or for the period of apartment rental agreement if it is shorter. If you came to Poland on the basis of the visa-free movement, the registration will be valid for the 90 days from your arrival in Poland.
In Poland every citizen has got the PESEL number which is your personal identification number. The number starts with your date of birth and serves for common identification purposes. It is needed to settle down your annual tax declaration, but it may also be required to open a Polish bank account or make an appointment with the doctor.
If you provide all the required documents you may get the PESEL number upon your visit in the Municipality/District Office. There are two ways of obtaining the PESEL number and both procedures are free-of-charge.
Getting the PESEL number automatically
The PESEL number may be issued automatically during your registration in the Municipality/District Office. This procedure is much easier than the other. Since you apply for the registration, you do not have to submit a separate application form for your PESEL number.
Getting the PESEL number without the registration
If for any reason you cannot register in the Municipality/District Office, you can apply for the PESEL number separately. It is also issued by the Municipality Office but the procedure is more complicated.
You need to submit (in person):
- The application form - available only in Polish.
- Documents that confirm the data you enter in the application form. If you need PESEL for taxation purposes you have to submit the employment contract.
- In your application form you have to define on what legal grounds you are applying for the PESEL number (e.g. you have to provide a specific act of law on taxation requiring you to have a PESEL number).
Contact details of the Małopolska Provincial Office in Krakow (Voivodeship Office)
Contact details of the Małopolska Provincial Office in Krakow (Voivodeship Office).
Informational Saturday at the Malopolska Provincial Office
Malopolska Provincial Office, Department for Foreigners, kindly invites you to an Open House event which will take place at 6 Przy Rondzie Street on Saturday, 13th March 2024, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
For detailed information please visit the Office website.
Extension of validity of certificates of temporary protection until March 4, 2025
The temporary protection mechanism, implemented by the EU Council's decision in March 2022 initially for one year, was extended again until March 4, 2025. As a result, the validity of the certificates of temporary protection issued so far, will be extended as well.
For detailed information please visit the Office for Foreigners website.
Repeal of the special provisions put in place for the COVID 19 pandemic
On 1st July 2023 the current epidemic risk state on the territory of Poland will be lifted. As a result, special arrangements for foreigners introduced in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic will be repealed.
Foreigners who took advantage of the repealed legal solutions related to the COVID-19 pandemic have 30 days commencing on 1st July to either return to their country of origin or to ensure their continued legal residence in Poland by submitting relevant applications for a residence permit, residence card etc. (depending on the formal and legal situation of the foreigner concerned).
For detailed information please visit:
or contact the Małopolska Provincial Office in Krakow.
The following documents and deadlines, prolonged in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, will expire at the end of July:
- the period of validity of temporary residence permits and residence cards expiring between 14 March 2020 (during an epidemic risk state or epidemic state) - until the 30th day following the date of lifting of the current epidemic risk state
- periods of stay and validity of national visas in cases where the last day of the period of stay under such visas would fall within the period from 14 March 2020 (during an epidemic risk state or epidemic state) to the 30th day following the date of lifting of the current epidemic risk state;
- time limits for submitting applications for residence permits, visa extensions or visa-free extensions of stay, i.e.:
a) on the issue of temporary residence permits,
b) on the granting of a permanent residence permit,
c) on the granting of residence permits to long-term EU residents,
d) to extend a national or Schengen visa,
e) on extending the period of stay under the Visa Waiver Programme
- until the 30th day following the date of lifting of the current epidemic risk state;
- the time limits for leaving the territory of Poland as laid down in Article 299(6) of the Act on Foreigners that fall during an epidemic risk state or epidemic state – until the expiry of the 30th day following the day of lifting of the current epidemic risk state;
- during an epidemic risk state or epidemic state, the time limits for voluntary return specified in decisions on the obligation of the foreigner to return pursuant to Article 315(1) of the Act on Foreigners – until the expiry of the 30th day following the day on which the decision on the obligation of the foreigner to return was issued;
- documents issued for a limited period of time to nationals of the Member States of the European Union, the States of the European Free Trade Agreement (EFTA) – parties to the Agreement on the European Economic Area or the Swiss Confederation and to members of their families residing with them or joining them, i.e. documents confirming the right of permanent residence, residence cards of a family member of an EU citizen and permanent residence cards of a family member of an EU citizen – until the expiry of the 30th day following the day of cancellation of the last of these conditions;
- Periods of validity of Polish identity documents of foreigners that fall during an epidemic emergency or state of epidemic - until the expiry of the 30th day following the day of the last of the states;
- the periods of validity of the “permit for tolerated stay” documents that fall during an epidemic emergency or a state of epidemics, until the expiry of the 30th day following the date of lifting of the current epidemic risk state;
and
- recognition of the stay of foreigners on the territory of Poland as legal by virtue of law, in a situation where they were staying in Poland on the basis of short-term residence titles on 14th March 2020, i.e.:
a) under visa-free movement,
b) on the basis of Schengen visas, irrespective of the issuing country,
c) based on a long-stay visa or residence permit issued by other Schengen States,
d) on the basis of long-stay visas or residence permits issued by European Union Member States that are not Schengen States (if, in accordance with European Union law, such visas or permits entitle the holder to reside on the territory of the Republic of Poland),
- from the day following the last day of legal residence under these titles until the end of the 30th day following the date of lifting of the current epidemic risk state.
New fee rates for issuing / replacing a residence card
The Malopolska Provincial Office kindly informs you that the new fee rates have been introduced for issuing/replacing a residence card. Commencing from 29 July 2022 the fee is PLN100 (previously PLN 50).
Detailed information on how to collect your residence card is available on the website of the Małopolska Provincial Office in Krakow.
Video tutorials
You will find a number of useful video tutorials concerning the procedures of the Małopolska Voivodeship Office at the Office's YouTube channel. You will find tutorials on how to fill in the application form for a temporary residence permit, how to legalise the employment of a third-country national, the Blue Card procedure and a lot more.