PolandResidence permit / permanent residence

Karta pobytu in Poland

The main document confirming a foreign national's right to stay in Poland. It is issued in two forms: temporary (for the period of the permit) and permanent (for a long term with the right of renewal). It can be obtained on various grounds: employment, studies, family, business, refugee status or humanitarian reasons.

Source: gov.pl — residence card for temporary and permanent residence permits (karta pobytu)

Main types of residence cards for foreign nationals

Łódzki Urząd Wojewódzki issues residence cards to foreign nationals — the main document confirming their residence status. The cards differ in validity and in the grounds on which they are issued.

Temporary residence card (Karta czasowego)

Validity: the period for which the permit was granted (usually 1–3 years, renewable)
Grounds: work with a specific employer, studies, family reunification, starting a business
Renewal: file a new application 30 days before expiry
Work rights: work only with the named employer or in the named occupation
Document: Karta Pobytu with a note on the type of permit (np. czasowe zezwolenie na pobyt)

Permanent residence card (Karta stałego)

Validity: 10 years (the renewal period of the other card follows automatically)
Grounds: long-term residence (usually after a certain period on a temporary permit)
Renewal: replace the card 30 days before expiry
Work rights: full freedom to choose an employer and an occupation
Document: Karta Pobytu with a note o stałe zezwolenie na pobyt

When this programme will not suit you

You plan to study on a very short course (up to a few weeks)

Check whether you need a Schengen visa instead of a full residence permit

You want to work remotely for a company abroad without a contract in Poland

Ask your employer about sponsoring a work permit; working without a permit is prohibited

You are seeking refugee status or asylum

Apply to the refugee authorities; the procedure differs from a standard residence permit

What it costs

Issue or replacement of the residence cardFee for producing the main document (Karta Pobytu), regardless of the type of permit	100 PLN
Polski dokument podróży (travel document valid for 1 year)If you lose your own passport; repeated losses cost more (700, 1050 PLN)	+350 PLN
Tymczasowy polski dokument podróży (valid for 7 days)Emergency travel document for an urgent departure or return	+50 PLN

Paid separately

Consular fee or visa fee — This page describes the procedure after entering Poland; the initial visa must be obtained at the consulate in the country of origin
Registration fee (PESEL) — Paid separately, not included in the cost of the residence card

Documents to gather

The following documents are required to apply for a residence card. The application is submitted solely by post to the address of Wydział Spraw Obywatelskich i Cudzoziemców.

Completed application form (obtain the form from the authority or download it from the website)
Two colour photographs measuring 45×35 mm, taken no more than 6 months ago
Copy of the document confirming identity and citizenship (passport, national identity card)
Proof of payment of the fee (100 PLN)
Proof of the registered address (potwierdzenie zameldowania) — a certificate from the local authority
When replacing a card: the old residence card (if you have one)

How the process runs

The procedure for obtaining and renewing a residence card.

1
Prepare the documents and the application
1–2 weeks
Gather all the required documents, including photographs and the certificate of registration at your address. Complete the application form (forms are available on the authority's website or on request). Pay the fee (100 PLN).
2
Send the package by post
1 day
Send the documents by post to: Wydział Spraw Obywatelskich i Cudzoziemców, ul. Piotrkowska 103, 90-425 Łódź. Registered post with acknowledgement of receipt is recommended.
3
Examination of the application
2–4 weeks
The authority checks the documents and takes a decision. Additional information may be requested if needed. Contact is by the telephone number given (+48 42 664-17-97, 8:00–16:00) or by email.
4
Collect the card
as instructed by the authority
Once the application is approved, the residence card is sent by post or issued at the authority's office. Check the card for errors.
5
Renewal (30 days before expiry)
2–4 weeks after filing
To renew, file a new application 30 days before the old card expires. The procedure is the same as for the initial application.

Timelines and rights

Work

On a card issued on employment grounds — with the named employer; permanent residence — full access

Who you can bring with you

Family members of a foreign national can also obtain a residence card, usually on the ground of family reunification.

Spouse (non-EU/EEA)

May obtain a temporary residence permit on the ground of the family relationship. The duration and the conditions depend on the status of the main applicant and on the documents confirming the relationship.

Children (under 21, or under 25 if in full-time education)

Are entitled to a permit if at least one parent lives in Poland on a valid permit. The consent of the second parent is required (if that parent is not in Poland).

Parents (subject to financial dependency)

May obtain a temporary residence permit if the foreign national living in Poland undertakes to support them financially. Documentary proof is required.

Spouse who is a Polish citizen

A special status; a permanent permit may be obtained more quickly. The timelines depend on the specific circumstances and require checking against the current legislation.

Trips, renewal and the grace period

For permanent residence: absences of no more than about 6 months in a row / 10 months over 5 years

A residence card is renewed by filing a new application 30 days before it expires. For a temporary residence card the ground has to be confirmed again (for example, a valid employment contract for those in work). For a permanent residence card the renewal is automatic where the residence conditions are met. The documents and the procedure are the same as for the initial application. While the renewal decision is pending you may stay in Poland as long as the old card is valid.

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.

	Karta pobytu	Blue Card	Humanitarian protection and tolerated stay
Visa term	Karta 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	Valid on the legal grounds, subject to review
Grounds	Employment / business / marriage	High qualifications	Humanitarian grounds
Money	Salary not below the minimum wage; funds for living costs and accommodation; for business — income	Salary not below 150% of the average annual salary in Poland (indexed by GUS)	None
Work	On a card issued on employment grounds — with the named employer; permanent residence — full access	Yes, in the highly qualified occupation with the employer	Usually yes, depending on the status
Residence	For permanent residence: absences of no more than about 6 months in a row / 10 months over 5 years	Intention to stay for longer than 3 months	Actual presence; leaving the country may have an effect

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

Permanent residence (stałego) after 5 years; for spouses of Polish citizens — 3 years of marriage plus 2 years of residence

Route to citizenship

Citizenship after roughly 8-10 years, Polish at B1

Frequently asked questions about Karta pobytu

What is the difference between temporary (czasowego) and permanent (stałego) residence?

Temporary residence is granted for the period of the permit (usually 1–3 years) and requires the ground (work, studies and so on) to be confirmed at every renewal. Permanent residence is valid for 10 years and gives the right to work for any employer without restrictions. Temporary residence often precedes permanent residence.

How much does a residence card cost?

The main fee for issuing or replacing the card is 100 PLN. This is the only compulsory fee for the card itself. Additional services (travel document, identity document) are charged separately.

On what grounds can a residence card be obtained?

The card is issued on the following grounds: employment (a work permit), studies, family reunification, starting one's own business, refugee status, consent to stay for humanitarian reasons, and EU long-term resident status. The particular ground affects the conditions and the validity of the permit.

How often does the card have to be renewed?

A temporary residence card is renewed every 1–3 years (depending on the type of permit). The renewal application must be filed 30 days before expiry. A permanent residence card is valid for 10 years and is renewed after 10 years if the grounds for residence remain.

What financial requirements apply to the card?

The official page of Łódzki Urząd Wojewódzki does not state specific financial requirements (a minimum salary or a bank-account balance). However, for a work permit the employer must make sure the salary meets Poland's minimum standards. Each type of permit (work, studies, family) may have its own criteria — check on the helpline: +48 42 664-17-97.

Can I work on a temporary residence card?

Yes, if the permit was granted on employment grounds. The right to work is, however, limited by the conditions of the permit: usually you have to work with the named employer or in the named occupation. Once permanent residence is granted these restrictions are lifted and you may work for any employer.

Apart from temporary and permanent residence cards, what other documents are issued to foreign nationals in Poland?

The voivode also issues a Polish travel document (polski dokument podróży) valid for one year — for crossing the border if the foreign national has no passport; a temporary Polish travel document (tymczasowy polski dokument podróży) — for an urgent departure, valid for up to 7 days; and a Polish identity document for foreign nationals (polski dokument tożsamości cudzoziemca) valid for one year. These documents address specific situations and do not replace a residence card.

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: 8 August 2026.