EU long-term resident permit

The EU long-term resident permit is a document granted for an indefinite period, which can be obtained after five years of legal residence in Poland.

When can you apply?

• As a rule, 5 years of legal and uninterrupted residence.
• Stable and regular income.
• Knowledge of Polish at B1 level.
• Health insurance.

Document check before you apply

Before you submit your application, we can check and analyse your documents for the resident card — this is a separate service in our price list.

Which periods of residence count

As a rule, periods of legal and uninterrupted residence in Poland count towards the required 5 years. Some periods count only by half — e.g. residence for the purpose of studies — and some do not count at all, e.g. residence for the purpose of seasonal work. Residence is considered uninterrupted if no single break exceeded 6 months and all breaks together did not exceed 10 months.

Income, insurance and Polish language

• Stable and regular income sufficient to support you and your family members — demonstrated for the period of 3 years before the application is submitted.
• Health insurance — with ZUS or a policy covering the cost of medical treatment in Poland.
• Knowledge of Polish at least at B1 level — confirmed by a state certificate or by a school-leaving certificate or diploma from a school or university taught in Polish.

EU resident card vs permanent residence card

Both permits are issued for an indefinite period. The EU long-term resident's residence card is valid for 5 years and is exchanged for a new one, and resident status makes it easier to move and work in other EU countries. A permanent residence permit is available on other grounds — among others, to people of Polish origin or holders of the Karta Polaka.

Official fees

• Stamp duty (opłata skarbowa) for the EU long-term resident permit — 640 zł.
• Fee for issuing the residence card — 100 zł.