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Permanent Resident Card Poland – Permanent Residence Permit for Foreigners
We help to obtain a permanent residence in Poland
Are you looking to obtain a permanent residence card in Poland? SIIAMI helps foreigners navigate the permanent residence procedure, prepare the required documents and communicate with the Polish authorities.
A permanent residence permit allows you to live in Poland indefinitely. Once the permit is granted, you receive a permanent residence card, which confirms your right to stay in Poland and is generally issued for 10 years.
Our immigration lawyers assist clients throughout the entire process, from assessing eligibility and preparing the application to monitoring the case and responding to requests from the authorities.
Who Can Get a Permanent Residence Card in Poland
A permanent residence card in Poland is issued to foreigners who have been granted a permanent residence permit. The right to apply for permanent residence depends on your personal circumstances and the legal basis for your stay in Poland.
The most common grounds include having a Karta Polaka, Polish origin, being married to a Polish citizen or being a child of a Polish citizen. Other specific legal grounds may also apply depending on your circumstances. Below, we explain the main situations in which a foreigner may be eligible for permanent residence in connection with their individual circumstances.
Permanent Residence with a Pole's card- Karta Polaka
If you hold a valid Pole’s card (Karta Polaka) and intend to settle permanently in Poland, you may be eligible to apply for a permanent residence permit.
You do not generally need to complete a specific period of previous residence in Poland before applying on this basis. You will need to meet the legal requirements and provide documents confirming your Karta Polaka and your intention to settle in Poland.
Once you obtain permanent residence, you can live and work in Poland without the restrictions that apply to many temporary residence permits. You can also run a business in Poland under the same conditions as Polish citizens.
Permanent Residence Through Marriage to a Polish Citizen
A foreigner married to a Polish citizen may be eligible for a permanent residence permit if the statutory requirements are met. The requirements for marriage to a Polish citizen are specific and depend on your previous residence status.
In particular, you generally need to have been married to a Polish citizen for at least 3 years and have lived in Poland continuously and legally for at least 2 years immediately before submitting an application for permanent residence, on the basis of a temporary residence permit issued in connection with your marriage to a Polish citizen.
The relevant period of residence must generally be based on a temporary residence permit granted in connection with the marriage, or in certain cases on subsidiary protection or humanitarian reasons. The exact circumstances of your previous residence are important, so it is worth checking your eligibility before the submission of the application.
If you have been married for the required period but have lived outside Poland, this does not by itself satisfy the residence requirement. The required continuous residence in Poland must also be taken into account.
Permanent Residence Based on Polish Origin
A foreigner may also be eligible for a permanent residence permit in Poland based on Polish origin.
To apply on this basis, you need to meet the statutory requirements and provide documents confirming your Polish origin. Depending on your circumstances, this may include documents proving that at least one of your parents or grandparents was of Polish nationality.
Polish-origin cases can be document-intensive, particularly when the relevant records were issued abroad or many years ago. Our lawyers can assess your documents and determine whether they may be sufficient to establish your eligibility for permanent residence.
Other Grounds for Permanent Residence
There are also other legal grounds on which a foreigner may be eligible for permanent residence in Poland, depending on their individual circumstances. These can include certain family situations and specific forms of international or humanitarian protection.
Because the requirements vary depending on the legal basis, we recommend checking your individual situation before submitting an application.
Not sure whether you qualify for permanent residence in Poland? Our immigration specialists can review your circumstances, identify the appropriate legal basis and help you prepare the required documents.
Temporary vs Permanent Residence and EU Long-Term Residence in Poland
Different residence permits offer different rights and requirements. See the table below for the key differences between temporary residence, permanent residence and EU long-term residence in Poland.
| Temporary residence card and Blue card | Permanent residence card | EU residence card | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basis for issuing | Granted for a specific purpose, such as work, study, business or family life. The applicant must meet the requirements applicable to the chosen basis. | Available to foreigners who meet specific statutory requirements, for example based on a Karta Polaka, Polish origin or marriage to a Polish citizen. | Generally available to foreigners who have legally and continuously resided in Poland for at least 5 years and meet additional statutory requirements. |
| Duration of the permit | Temporary, generally for a period of up to 3 years. | Indefinite | Indefinite |
| Residence card validity | The card is issued for the period of validity of the temporary residence permit. | The card is usually issued for 10 years and must be renewed after this period. | The card is generally valid for 5 years and must then be replaced. |
| Access to the labour market | Depends on the type and legal basis of the residence permit. | Generally provides unrestricted access to the Polish labour market. | Generally provides unrestricted access to the Polish labour market. |
| Right to run a business | Depends on the type of residence status and applicable regulations. | A permanent residence permit generally allows you to run a business in Poland under the same rules as Polish citizens. | The right to run a business depends on the applicable regulations and the applicant's status. |
How Long Does It Take to Get Permanent Residence in Poland
The processing time for a permanent residence permit in Poland depends on the legal basis for your application, the documents submitted and the workload of the relevant authority.
During the procedure, the relevant provincial office may request additional documents or information, which can extend the processing time. After a positive decision, the permanent residence card is issued separately. In some voivodeships, it takes 5 months, while in others, it can take up to 2 years.
At SIIAMI, we monitor your case and help you respond to requests from the authorities.
What Documents Are Required for a Permanent Residence Card in Poland
The documents required to apply for a permanent residence permit in Poland depend on the legal basis for your application. Since 27 April 2026, applications for permanent residence are submitted electronically through the MOS (Case Handling Module) system. The list of documents is taken from an official source.
1. Application Form
The application for a permanent residence permit must be completed and submitting the application through the MOS system. The information provided in the application should be consistent with your supporting documents.The electronic application must be personally signed by the applicant using a qualified electronic signature or a trusted signature. The submission of the application therefore requires the applicant to complete the required electronic formalities personally.
2.Valid Passport or Travel Document
You will need a valid passport or other travel document. During the procedure, you may also be required to present the original document at an appointment at the relevant provincial office.
3. Documents Confirming Your Eligibility
You must provide documents confirming the legal basis for your application. Depending on your circumstances, this may include:
a valid Pole’s Card Karta Polaka;
documents confirming Polish origin;
a marriage certificate and documents confirming your residence in Poland, if you are applying as the spouse of a Polish citizen;
documents confirming family relationships or other circumstances relevant to your application
- documents confirming subsidiary protection, refugee status, humanitariam reasons or tolerated stay, where relevant.
4. Proof of Payment
Where applicable, you must pay the required administrative fee and provide proof of payment as part of the application procedure
5. Additional Documents
The relevant authority may request additional documents or information depending on your individual circumstances and the legal basis for your application.
Our immigration lawyers can review your documents, identify what is required in your case and help you prepare the application correctly before submission.
Process for Obtaining a Permanent Residence Card in Poland
The process of obtaining permanent residence in Poland involves several steps, from checking your eligibility and preparing the required documents to submitting your application and collecting your residence card. Since 27 April 2026, applications for permanent residence must be submitted electronically through the MOS system.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
First, you need to determine whether you meet the requirements for a permanent residence permit in Poland and identify the legal basis for your application.
Step 2: Prepare the Required Documents
The documents you need depend on the basis for your application. We help you collect and verify the documents required for your individual case.
Step 3: Submit Your Application Online
Applications for a permanent residence permit must be submitted electronically through the MOS system.
Step 4: Attend an Appointment at the Office
After submitting your application, you may be called to the relevant provincial office to present your valid travel document, provide fingerprints and submit a signature specimen.
Step 5: Wait for the Decision
The authority examines your application and may request additional documents or information. We monitor the case and help you respond to requests from the authorities.
Step 6: Collect Your Permanent Residence Card
After a positive decision, your permanent residence card is issued. You can then collect the card from the relevant office.
Why Choose SIIAMI for Your Permanent Residence Application
The process of obtaining a permanent residence permit is time-consuming and requires numerous different documents. Our lawyers are professionally engaged in legalisation of foreigners in Poland and assist you at every stage of obtaining a residence card.
Extensive experience
The SIIAMI team consists of specialists with many years of experience in migration law. Thanks to our knowledge of the law and hands-on skills, we have an excellent understanding of the needs of foreigners and efficiently solve even the most complex cases. By co-operating with us you can be sure that your case is in the hands of professionals.
Collecting and checking the document package
Our lawyers fully control the process of collecting and completing the necessary documents, which allows you to avoid formal errors during the application process and receive your residence card as quickly as possible. Our specialists’ attention to detail ensures that the submitted package of documents complies with the requirements of Polish law.
A personal manager monitors the progress of your application
We assign each client a specialist to monitor your case and provide additional documents promptly upon the inspector’s request. This ensures that every step of the process is under control and that you have legal support in case of questions or problems.
1,600+ positive decisions for our clients
The effectiveness of our work is confirmed by figures: we have already received more than 1600 positive decisions for our clients. This proves that the work and support of our lawyers brings the desired results, increasing the chances of a successful conclusion of the case.
Our Reviews
If you still haven’t made up your mind about working with our company, take a look at our reviews. We would be delighted to welcome you among our clients!
Price
The cost of permanent residence assistance in Poland depends on the type of service and the level of support you need. SIIAMI offers both personal assistance in Gdańsk and Warsaw and full online support throughout Poland.
Monthly subscription for full support with your legalization case
The service includes:
- Individual consultation on the legalization of stay (analysis of the situation, selection of options, explanation of the procedures) (1 hour).
- Professional completion of the necessary applications (wnioski).
- Verification and correction of the complete set of documents before submission (based on the selected legal basis and the documents provided by you).
- Control over the progress of the case until the decision is received (performing the function of your representative by power of attorney).
- Communication with the relevant immigration office (Urząd) in the event of additional appointments or requests.
Ongoing legal consultations throughout the entire legalization process.
Family (group) discounts available.
*the minimum subscription period is 3 months
One-time consultation with a specialist
During the consultation, our legalization specialist will answer your questions regard obtaining a temporary residence permit, individually analyze your case and and review your documents to ensure they have been prepared correctly
The service includes:
- A one-hour consultation with a specialist
Important information :
If you purchase a consultation and later decide to use our full-service package, either online or in person, the cost of the consultation will be deducted from the price of the selected package.
400 zł netto/1 hour
If none of our service packages meet your needs, contact us and we’ll tailor the right solution to your individual situation.
Our Other Services
In addition to accounting consulting, we also offer other services. Below are a few of our additional services.
Frequently Asked Questions About Permanent Residence from Our Clients
We have gathered the most common questions from our clients; you might find useful information among them.
What are the new rules for foreigners in Poland in 2026?
In 2026, Poland introduced important changes to the residence application process for foreigners. From 27 April 2026, applications for temporary residence, permanent residence and EU long-term resident permits must be submitted electronically through the MOS (Case Handling Module) system. Depending on the type of application, applicants may still be required to attend an appointment at the relevant provincial office to present their travel document, provide fingerprints and submit a signature specimen.
How many years of continuous stay in Poland are required to get permanent residency in Poland?
There is no single residence period that applies to all applicants. The required period depends on the legal basis for your application. For some applicants, it may be less than 10 years of continuous legal stay in Poland, while certain grounds, such as Polish origin or a Karta Polaka, may allow you to apply without first completing a specific period of residence in Poland. For example, applicants applying through marriage to a Polish citizen generally need to have been married for at least 3 years and have legally and continuously lived in Poland for at least 2 years on the required temporary residence basis.
What is the difference between temporary residence permit and permanent residence (long-term resident) in Poland?
The difference is that in most cases, you need to obtain temporary residence first, and only then permanent residence. Each type of residence permit requires its own grounds. For example, you can apply for temporary residence based on work or study. However, for permanent residence, a Karta Polaka (Pole’s Card) or Polish origin is required.
Do I need to speak Polish to get permanent residence in Poland?
Not necessarily. There is no general Polish language requirement for obtaining a long-term eu resident in Poland. The requirements depend on the legal basis for your application.
This should be distinguished from an EU long-term resident permit, for which the applicant must generally prove knowledge of the Polish language.
Can humanitarian or protection status count toward permanent residence?
In certain circumstances, periods of residence connected with refugee status, subsidiary protection or humanitarian reasons may be relevant to eligibility for permanent residence. The exact rules depend on the legal basis and individual circumstances, so the previous legal residence should be assessed before submitting an application.