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PolandFamily residence permit

Family residence permit in Poland

A residence permit for the spouse of a Polish citizen, the minor children of the foreign spouse and other family members where there is financial dependence or medical need. It is issued for a period of between three months and three years, with the option of renewal. Spouses receive access to the labour market without an additional permit.

Source: gov.pl — Pobyt członka rodziny obywatela RP

Who may apply

The residence permit is issued to various categories of family member of a Polish citizen on the basis of marriage or family ties.

Spouses of Polish citizens

  • The marriage is recognised under Polish law
  • Living together with the spouse
  • Obtaining access to the labour market

Minor children

  • Children of the spouse who is a Polish citizen (the guardian)
  • Where the parent holds a temporary or permanent permit
  • Until they reach the age of majority

Other family members

  • Where there is financial dependence on the Polish citizen
  • Where health care is needed
  • Where a joint household is run

When this programme will not suit you

The marriage is not recognised under Polish law

The marriage must first be recognised in accordance with Polish law, or the matter taken to court

People in a family relationship without a registered marriage

Registering the marriage or relying on other grounds for a residence permit

Family members with no financial dependence or joint household

A national visa or applying for a residence permit in your own right on other grounds

What it costs

Administrative fee for the residence permit applicationStamp duty for examining the application340 PLN
Residence card (standard rate)Issued when a positive decision is taken50 PLN
Residence card (reduced rate for children under 16)For minors under 16, students and people in financial hardship25 PLN
Residence card (reduced rate for students)For people studying at secondary schools and higher education institutions25 PLN
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. the “Residence card (reduced rate for children under 16)” branch replaces the “Residence card (standard rate)” line — 365 PLN; the “Residence card (reduced rate for students)” branch replaces the “Residence card (standard rate)” line — 365 PLN. Charges with no official price list are in the list below.390 PLN

Paid separately

  • Certified translation services — Documents in foreign languages require a certified translation — the applicant pays for this separately
  • Postal services — The documents are filed by post — the applicant pays the cost of postage

Documents to gather

The documents must be completed in full and in accordance with the requirements. Documents in foreign languages require a certified translation into Polish.

  • Two completed application forms (for children under 13 — one form)
  • Four colour photographs measuring 45×35 mm, taken no more than six months before filing
  • Copies of every completed page of the passport, with the original produced for checking
  • Proof of payment of the administrative fee
  • A recent marriage certificate (issued no more than three months before filing)
  • A copy of the identity document of the spouse who is a Polish citizen
  • The children's birth certificates
  • Evidence of living together (receipts for accommodation payments, photographs, a tenancy agreement or a title deed)
  • Documents confirming financial dependence (for other family members)
  • Medical certificates (for family members who need medical care)

How the process runs

The process of obtaining the residence permit begins with preparing the documents and ends with collecting the residence card. The documents are filed in person or by post with the regional voivodeship office.

  1. 1

    Preparing the documents and checking they are complete

    up to 2 weeks

    Gather all the necessary documents in accordance with the requirements and check that they are present and complete. The marriage certificate must have been issued no more than three months before filing. Photographs must meet the requirements on size (45×35 mm) and age (no more than 6 months old).

  2. 2

    Paying the administrative fee

    1 day

    Before filing the application, pay the administrative fee of 340 zloty. Proof of payment must be attached to the package of documents.

  3. 3

    Filing the application and documents

    on the day of filing

    Send the documents by post to: ul. Piotrkowska 103, 90-425 Łódź, Polska. Alternatively, file them in person at the office of the Wojewódzki Urząd. The application must be filed no later than the last day of your lawful stay in the country.

  4. 4

    Examination of the application by the security services

    up to 30 days, sometimes up to 60 days

    The Police, the Border Guard and the security service (ABW) check the applicant's details. This procedure can take longer than the voivode's examination of the application and depends on the workload of the services and the complexity of your case.

  5. 5

    Examination of the application by the voivode

    up to 2 months

    Once the replies from the security services have been received, the voivode examines the complete package of documents and takes a decision. The period runs from receipt of the application but does not include the time spent waiting for replies from the services.

  6. 6

    Receiving the decision and the residence card

    on the day the decision is taken

    If the decision is positive you receive a notification. The residence card is issued in person when you attend the voivodeship office, with biometric fingerprints taken. The applicant must attend at the stated time and place. If the decision is negative you receive written reasons.

Timelines and rights

Work

The spouse of a Polish citizen receives the note «dostęp do rynku pracy». Other family members do not receive that access automatically.

Who you can bring with you

The residence permit is issued to various categories of family member of a Polish citizen on the same terms, with some differences in documents and reduced rates.

Spouse of a Polish citizen
The marriage must be recognised under Polish law. The permit is issued with access to the labour market. An application for a permanent permit may be filed three years after the marriage and two years of residence on the temporary permit.
Minor children of the foreign spouse
Issued where one of the parents holds a temporary or permanent residence permit. Valid until they reach the age of majority. A reduced rate for the residence card (25 zloty instead of 50) applies to children under 16.
Parents of a Polish citizen
May obtain a permit where there is financial dependence on the Polish citizen, a joint household or a need for health care confirmed by medical certificates.
Adult children of a Polish citizen
Where there is financial dependence and living together. Written consent from the other parent and documents confirming financial dependence are required.
Other family members
Spouses of children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters where there is financial dependence, a joint household or a medical need for care. Documentary evidence of the grounds is required.

Trips, renewal and the grace period

The application is filed in person, no later than the last day of lawful stay; the card is issued in person with fingerprints taken. Documents are accepted in Polish.

The temporary residence permit is issued for a period of more than three months and no more than three years, with the option of renewal. The renewal application is filed with the same voivodeship office at the same address. The renewal procedure requires the same documents as the original application, with the addition of the current residence card. A new marriage certificate is not required if less than three months have passed since the previous permit was issued.

How it differs from the routes next to it

The comparison is built from the official terms of the routes themselves — the source links sit on their own pages.

Family residence permitKarta pobytuBlue Card
Visa termMore than 3 months and no more than 3 years, with the option of renewalKarta czasowego for 1-3 years, renewable; karta stałego is open-ended (the card is replaced every 10 years)Up to 3 years (the term of employment plus 3 months), renewable
MoneyThe stamp duty is 340 złSalary not below the minimum wage; funds for living costs and accommodation; for business — incomeSalary not below 150% of the average annual salary in Poland (indexed by GUS)
WorkThe spouse of a Polish citizen receives the note «dostęp do rynku pracy»On a card issued on employment grounds — with the named employer; permanent residence — full accessYes, in the highly qualified occupation with the employer

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

Permanent residence is granted to a spouse once 3 years have passed since the marriage and 2 years of continuous residence on this permit. The stamp duty for permanent residence is 640 zł, and the status itself is open-ended.

Route to citizenship

After 2 years with permanent residence and a marriage of at least 3 years you apply for recognition as a citizen. A Polish B1 certificate, a stable income and accommodation are required. The voivode decides within 6 months; the fee is 1,000 zł.

Frequently asked questions about Family residence permit

What evidence of living together is needed when filing the application?
Documents confirming that you live together and run a joint household are required: receipts for electricity, water, gas and internet bills in the name of one of the spouses, a tenancy agreement, a title deed, photographs of the shared home or other documents demonstrating that you live together.
How much does the whole procedure cost?
The administrative fee is 340 zloty. The residence card costs 50 zloty (or 25 zloty for children under 16, students and people in financial hardship). Added to that are the costs of certified translation of foreign documents and postage, which are paid separately.
What happens if I file an incomplete package of documents?
The voivodeship office may refuse to accept the documents or require them to be supplemented. If the documents are incomplete, you will be sent a request to supply the missing material. Complete documents speed up the examination, so it is advisable to check carefully that every required paper is present before filing.
Can I work while holding a residence permit as a family member of a Polish citizen?
Yes, but only if you are the spouse of a Polish citizen. Spouses receive the note 'dostęp do rynku pracy' (access to the labour market) and may work without an additional permit. Other family members do not receive automatic access to the labour market and must obtain a separate work permit.
Do I need a certified translation of documents in foreign languages?
Yes. All documents issued by foreign state bodies or institutions must be translated into Polish by a sworn translator. This applies to passports, marriage certificates, birth certificates and other official documents. The applicant pays for the translation separately.
Where are the documents filed and how long does the case take?
The documents are filed by post to: ul. Piotrkowska 103, 90-425 Łódź, Polska, or in person at the office of the Wojewódzki Urząd. The application is examined in accordance with the Code of Administrative Procedure. The overall timeline depends on the replies from the security services (up to 30-60 days), after which the voivode takes a decision within two months. Complete documents speed up the procedure.

Other ways to move to Poland

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Poland.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.