Permanent Residence in Poland
2 documented routes of this kind in Poland, each with its conditions, documents, official government fees and process.
Permanent residence permit (pobyt staly)
Indefinite residence permit granted by the voivode on specified grounds (Polish origin, Pole's Card, protection status, family ties); card renewed every 10 years.
- Processing time
- Not statutorily fixed; in practice commonly 6-12 months
- Validity
- Indefinite (card renewed every 10 years)
- Language requirement
- None (ground-dependent)
- Permanent residence
- This is the permanent residence permit
- Citizenship
- Recognition typically after 3 years of permanent residence
Requirements
- Qualifying ground (Polish origin, Pole's Card, protection status, family ties, etc.)
- Proof of legal residence (visa/card)
- Ground-specific documents
Required Documents
- Application signed in Latin characters required
- 4 biometric photos 35x45 mm required
- Passport photocopy (all filled pages) required
- Proof of legal residence (visa/card) required
- Ground-specific documents (birth/marriage certificate, protection-status docs, employment contract or lease for Polish-origin/Pole's Card holders) required
Official fees
- Stamp duty 640 PLN
- Residence card issuance 100 PLN
Process Steps
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1
Create MOS account
Register using PESEL + Trusted Profile.
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2
Complete application
Attach documents, photo and fee proof; e-sign and download the UPO.
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3
Fingerprints
Attend in-person fingerprints (under-6 exempt).
Official Sources
EU long-term resident permit
Indefinite EU long-term residence after 5 years' uninterrupted legal residence with stable income and B1 Polish; allows onward EU mobility.
- Processing time
- 60-day target (often longer)
- Validity
- Indefinite (card renewed every 5 years)
- Language requirement
- B1 Polish (state certificate or Polish-medium diploma; under-16 exempt)
- Permanent residence
- This is an EU long-term residence permit
- Citizenship
- Recognition typically after 3 years of permanent residence
Requirements
- 5 years uninterrupted residence (absences <= 6 months each / <= 10 months total)
- Stable, regular income assessed over 3 years (2 years for highly-qualified workers)
- B1 Polish certificate or Polish-medium diploma
- Legal residence-title document (notarial deed, tenancy agreement, or relative's loan agreement)
- Health insurance
Required Documents
- Application required
- Income proof (assessed over 3 years) required
- B1 Polish certificate or Polish-medium diploma required
- Housing-title document required
- Health insurance required
Official fees
- Stamp duty 640 PLN
- Residence card issuance 100 PLN
Process Steps
-
1
File via MOS
Apply by the last day of legal stay.
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2
Submit evidence
Provide income, insurance, housing-title and B1 certificate.
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3
Fingerprints and card
Give fingerprints and collect the card.