Permanent Residence in Poland in 2026: Documents and Requirements

Poland remains one of the most popular destinations for foreigners planning to build a career, start a family, or settle in Europe for the long term. However, simply having a job or having resided legally in the country for several years is not enough to qualify for permanent residence. Polish law specifies specific grounds for obtaining the relevant permit, and the list of required documents depends on the applicant’s circumstances. We’ll explain who can obtain a permanent residence permit in Poland in 2026, how to prepare the necessary documents, and how to complete the application process.

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What is a permanent residence permit in Poland?

A permanent residence permit in Poland (zezwolenie na pobyt stały) is a migration status that grants a foreign national the right to live in the country indefinitely. Unlike a temporary residence permit, it does not need to be renewed regularly. Once the application is approved, the foreign national receives a residence card (karta pobytu), which is valid for 10 years. At the end of this period, only the document is replaced, not the permit itself.

Permanent residence in Poland grants foreign nationals a number of important rights:

- Indefinite stay—the ability to live in Poland permanently without having to reapply for a permit

- Employment – the right to work in Poland without a separate work permit

- Travel within Europe – the ability to stay in other Schengen Area countries for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, provided you have a valid passport and meet the entry requirements

- Entrepreneurial activity – the right to conduct business in Poland under the conditions applicable to holders of a permanent residence permit

- Access to public services – the ability to use the healthcare, education, and social security systems, provided the relevant requirements are met

It is important to distinguish between a permanent residence permit and the status of an EU long-term resident (zezwolenie na pobyt rezydenta długoterminowego UE). Both grant an indefinite right to reside in Poland, but the conditions for obtaining them differ. In particular, EU long-term resident status is typically available after at least five years of lawful, uninterrupted residence, provided that additional requirements are met.

In a previous article, we discussed the cost of living in Poland in 2026: budgets for housing, groceries, and transportation.

Who is eligible for a permanent residence permit in Poland?

Foreigners who have legal grounds for permanent residence in the country may obtain a permanent residence permit in Poland. First and foremost, these include individuals of Polish origin, holders of the Polish Card, family members of Polish citizens, and certain categories of foreigners with international or humanitarian protection.

Main categories of applicants and conditions for obtaining permanent residence in Poland:

- Individuals of Polish descent. You must provide documentary evidence of the Polish nationality of one parent, a grandparent, or two great-grandparents, as well as a connection to Polish culture and the intention to settle in the country.

- Holders of the Polish Card (Karta Polaka).

They may apply for permanent residence if they hold a valid Polish Card and intend to reside permanently in Poland.

- Spouses of Polish citizens. They must have been legally married for at least 3 years and have resided continuously in Poland for at least 2 years immediately prior to applying on the relevant legal basis.

- Minor children. Children of Polish citizens, as well as children of foreigners with a permanent residence permit or EU long-term resident status, may be eligible for permanent residence. For the latter category, additional requirements regarding the circumstances of the child’s birth apply.

- Persons under international protection. Foreign nationals with refugee status, subsidiary protection, or a residence permit granted on humanitarian grounds may apply after at least 5 years of required continuous residence. For persons with a permit for tolerated stay on grounds specified by law, this period is 10 years.

- Other categories specified by law. In particular, victims of human trafficking who have met specific requirements regarding the duration of residence and cooperation with law enforcement agencies, as well as foreigners who have been granted asylum in Poland.

It is important to note that working, studying, or living in Poland for many years does not in itself guarantee the granting of a permanent residence permit. Foreign nationals who have legally resided in the country for at least 5 years may consider an alternative—an EU long-term resident permit. To obtain this permit, additional requirements regarding income, health insurance, and knowledge of the Polish language must be met.

Learn more about the ranking of Polish cities by quality of life by following the link.

What documents are required to obtain permanent residence in Poland?

The documents required for permanent residence in Poland depend on the grounds on which the foreign national is applying for the permit. A basic set of documents is required for all applicants, and additional supporting documents are needed to establish eligibility for permanent residence. Starting April 27, 2026, applications for permanent residence must be submitted exclusively in electronic format via the MOS government portal.

Basic List of Documents for Permanent Residence

To apply for permanent residence in Poland in 2026, you must prepare the following:

1. Electronic application (wniosek o udzielenie zezwolenia na pobyt stały)—to be completed via the MOS system and signed with a trusted or qualified electronic signature.

2. International passport – a digital copy of a valid travel document including all required pages.

3. Biometric photograph – a recent digital photo that meets the established requirements.

4. Proof of payment of the state fee – unless the applicant falls into a category exempt from payment.

5. Documents confirming the basis for residence—certificates, decisions by government agencies, statements, or other evidence depending on the applicant’s situation.

The main files are attached to the electronic application. Documents confirming the right to permanent residence may be submitted at the time of filing or during the subsequent review of the case.

After the application is registered, the provincial office will invite the foreign national to verify the documents in person and complete the necessary formalities.

Additional documents depending on the basis for residence

The specific list depends on the immigration status, family circumstances, and other legal grounds for obtaining the permit.

- Polish origin. Birth certificates, archival records, documents of ancestors, or other official proof of Polish nationality. It is also necessary to prove family ties, a connection to Polish culture, and the intention to reside permanently in the country.

- Polish Card (Karta Polaka). A copy of a valid Polish Card, with the original presented for verification, and a written statement of intent to settle in Poland.

- Marriage to a Polish citizen. A current marriage certificate, a copy of the husband’s or wife’s Polish ID card, and documents confirming the required period of continuous residence.

- Children of Polish citizens. The child’s birth certificate and a copy of one parent’s ID confirming Polish citizenship.

- Children of foreigners with permanent status. Birth certificate and a copy of the decision granting one parent a permanent residence permit or EU long-term resident status.

- International or humanitarian protection. A decision granting the relevant status and evidence of the required period of continuous residence in Poland.

- Victims of human trafficking. A decision granting the relevant temporary permit, evidence of cooperation with law enforcement agencies, and confirmation of well-founded fears regarding return to the country of origin.

Old documents, such as baptismal certificates, military records, and archival materials, may be used to confirm Polish origin. It is important that they contain information allowing for the establishment of the Polish nationality of the relevant relatives.

Requirements for Translation and Document Formatting

Foreign documents not written in Polish must generally be translated into Polish by a sworn translator (tłumacz przysięgły). Certain official documents may also require an apostille or consular legalization, unless international agreements provide otherwise.

The originals of certificates, statements, and other supporting documents must be retained for presentation during an inspection. If there are doubts regarding the authenticity of the documents or the completeness of the information, the voivode may request additional evidence.

In our previous article, we discussed salary levels in Poland: sectors with the highest and lowest incomes according to GUS data.

How to Apply for Permanent Residence in Poland?

Starting April 27, 2026, you can apply for permanent residence in Poland only online through the MOS (Moduł Obsługi Spraw) government platform. Paper applications are no longer accepted. The electronic system allows you to fill out the application form, upload documents, and submit your application without first visiting the provincial office.

The procedure for obtaining permanent residence in Poland involves several steps:

1. Register on the MOS portal. Create a personal account. Even if you used a previous version of the system, you must register again.

2. Fill out the electronic application form. Select “permanent residence permit” (zezwolenie na pobyt stały), enter your personal information, residential address, and the legal basis for your application.

3. Upload documents. Attach electronic copies of your passport, a biometric photo, and the required supporting documents. Verify that the information is correct before submitting.

4. Signing and submitting the application. Sign the application using a Trusted Profile (Profil Zaufany) or a qualified electronic signature and submit it via MOS.

5. In-person visit to the provincial office. After receiving the application, the relevant office will schedule an appointment. You must present the required documents, provide fingerprints, and submit a signature sample.

6. Case review and decision. The voivode reviews the grounds for granting a residence permit and, if necessary, requests additional documents. If the decision is favorable, the foreign national completes the necessary paperwork and receives a residence card.

The application is reviewed by the voivode in the foreign national’s place of residence. The application must be submitted while the foreign national is legally residing in Poland, unless the law provides for exceptions for a specific category of applicants.

It is important to note that the applicant must sign the electronic application personally. A representative acting under a power of attorney cannot do so on the applicant’s behalf. Separate rules regarding legal representation apply to minors and individuals who lack full legal capacity.

After successfully submitting the application, you must monitor notifications from the provincial office and respond to requests in a timely manner. Failure to appear for a mandatory appointment or to meet the established requirements may result in the termination of the case.

Learn more about the most popular professions in Poland among foreigners by following the link.

How much does it cost to obtain a permanent residence permit in Poland in 2026?

The cost of obtaining a permanent residence permit in Poland in 2026 is 740 zlotys under the standard procedure. This amount includes the state fee for processing the application and issuing the residence card. Certain categories of foreigners are eligible for discounts or full exemption from specific fees.

Main costs associated with obtaining permanent residence in Poland:

- 640 zlotys – state fee for processing the permanent residence permit.

- 100 zlotys – issuance of the plastic residence card after the application is approved.

- 50 zlotys – reduced cost of the residence card for certain categories of applicants, including minors.

- Additional costs – translation of documents by a sworn translator, apostille, legalization, and obtaining archival certificates. Their cost depends on the number of documents and the country of issuance.

Holders of the Pole’s Card, persons granted asylum in Poland, and certain other categories specified by law are exempt from the 640 zloty state fee. For them, the standard fee for issuing a residence card is 100 zloty, unless a separate discount applies.

Both payments must be made to different bank accounts. The payment details are published by the relevant provincial offices. Proof of payment must be attached to the online application via MOS; however, it is not possible to pay the fees directly within the system.

Learn more about the new rules for renting housing in Poland by following the link.

How long does it take to process a permanent residence application in Poland, and why might it be denied?

By law, the processing time for a permanent residence application in Poland is up to 6 months. However, the countdown does not necessarily begin from the moment the application is submitted electronically, but rather after the necessary formalities have been completed, including an in-person appearance and the correction of any deficiencies in the documents.

In practice, obtaining permanent residence in Poland may take longer due to the workload of provincial offices, additional checks, and requests for documents. Therefore, foreigners should regularly check for notifications from government agencies and promptly provide the necessary supporting documents.

Main Reasons for Denial of a Permanent Residence Permit

Even a correctly completed application does not guarantee a positive decision. Polish law provides for several grounds for denial:

1. Lack of legal grounds—the applicant does not meet the requirements for obtaining a permanent residence permit.

2. Inaccurate information—use of forged documents, false information, or concealment of material facts.

3. Sham marriage—establishment that the marriage was entered into solely to obtain immigration status.

4. Threat to national security—circumstances related to the protection of public order or the security of Poland.

5. Immigration restrictions—the foreign national’s data has been entered into the relevant registers of undesirable persons or the Schengen Information System for the purpose of denying entry and residence.

Procedural violations should also be taken into account. For example, if a foreign national fails to appear for a mandatory appointment or does not correct formal deficiencies in the application, the application may be left unconsidered. This differs from a denial of a permit following a review of the case.

What to Do in Case of a Denial?

If the voivode has denied the permit, the foreign national has the right to appeal the decision within 14 days of receiving it. The appeal is filed with the Head of the Office for Foreigners (Szef Urzędu do Spraw Cudzoziemców) through the voivode who issued the decision.

The standard timeframe for reviewing an appeal is 90 days. Based on the results of the review, the decision may be upheld, overturned, or the case may be remanded for reconsideration.

If the denial becomes final and the applicant has no other legal basis for staying in Poland, as a general rule, they must leave Poland within 30 days.

For those planning to move to Poland, it is important to familiarize yourself with the legalization process in advance. To reside legally in the country, an expat must obtain a residence permit, which eventually grants the right to apply for citizenship. Poland has its own procedure for obtaining these documents and specific requirements for applicants.

You can find up-to-date information and learn about the procedure for obtaining a residence permit or citizenship in the immigration guide from Visit World. The guide contains step-by-step instructions for applying for temporary and permanent residence permits, a complete list of required documents, processing costs, application review times, and useful tips for moving.

All the necessary information will be sent to your email address in PDF format in just a few minutes.

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We remind you! Krakow has been named the best city in Europe for digital nomads thanks to affordable prices, high safety standards, and fast internet. A new study covered dozens of popular destinations and revealed a clear trend favoring Central and Eastern Europe.

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