EU Long-Term Resident Card
Long-term EU resident status
Not sure which path is yours? Describe your situation to our AI assistant — it weighs your case and hands off to a specialist within an hour. A special status for foreigners with 5+ years of legal residence in Poland.
It grants rights close to those of Polish citizens — including residence and employment in most EU countries without a new application.
What is the EU long-term resident card
The EU long-term resident card (karta rezydenta długoterminowego UE) is a residence permit (zezwolenie na pobyt rezydenta długoterminowego UE) issued to foreigners after 5+ years of legal residence in Poland. The legal basis for the status is the Act on Foreigners and Council Directive 2003/109/EC, which establishes uniform conditions for long-term residents throughout the European Union. The card is valid for 5 years with the possibility of renewal, while the status itself is unlimited. The holder of the status gains the right to reside and work in most EU countries without a separate application, as well as visa-free travel within the Schengen Area (90 out of 180 days outside Poland).
Resident Card
The standard path to obtaining the EU long-term resident card — a status granting the right to permanent residence in Poland and simplified mobility within the European Union. Available to foreigners who have legally and continuously resided in Poland for at least 5 years on the basis of Polish residence cards (breaks of up to 6 months in a row and up to 10 months in total are allowed). The application is submitted online via the MOS portal to the Urząd Wojewódzki at the place of residence. Key requirements: 5 years of continuous legal residence, a stable and regular income above the established threshold, registered housing in Poland, valid health insurance, and confirmed knowledge of the Polish language at level B1 (a state exam certificate or a document exempting from the exam).
Family Reunification under EU Status
Family reunification under a simplified procedure for family members of an EU long-term resident. Available to spouses, minor children, and dependents of a person who already holds EU long-term resident status in Poland or in another EU country and is relocating to Poland. The application is submitted online via the MOS portal to the Urząd Wojewódzki at the sponsor's place of residence. Key requirements: the sponsor's valid EU long-term resident card, documented family relationship (marriage or birth certificate with an apostille and a sworn translation), the sponsor's stable income above the established threshold, housing suitable for the family, and health insurance for each family member.
Renewal of Status
Renewal of the EU long-term resident card, the validity of which expires after 5 years. The resident status itself is granted for an unlimited period — only the plastic card as a document is renewed. The application is submitted 30 days before the current card's expiry date, but no later than the expiry date itself. The application is submitted online via the MOS portal to the Urząd Wojewódzki at the place of residence. Key requirements: a valid or recently expired EU long-term resident card, current registered housing in Poland, valid health insurance, and payment of the fee for producing the new card. The status is not lost unless the person has been outside the EU for more than 12 consecutive months or outside Poland for more than 6 years.
Can the status be obtained for a child
Yes — minor children of the applicant who are already in Poland on a legal basis can obtain EU long-term resident status together with the parent, or under a separate application if the parent already holds a valid status. The residence period requirements for children are relaxed compared to adult applicants.
What documents are needed
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A foreign passport - A completed wniosek for EU resident status
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A biometric photo - Proof of 5 years of continuous residence (stamps, previous residence cards, travel history)
- Proof of income for the last 3 years (PIT tax returns, ZUS RMUA statements, employment contracts)
- A B1 language certificate (state exam, ECL, TELC, or an exemption document)
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Health insurance - A receipt for payment of the stamp duty and the card production fee
How the application procedure works
- Creating an account in the MOS system and filling out the application online
- Gathering documents confirming the 5-year residence period, income, and language proficiency
- Submitting the application and paying the fees
- Scheduling and attending biometrics at the Urząd Wojewódzki
- Waiting for the review, providing documents on request if necessary
- Receiving the decision (decyzja)
- If the decision is positive — collecting the EU resident card
How long does it take to process the application
Processing an application for EU long-term resident status usually takes 3 to 6 months, and longer in some cases, as the review includes verification of the entire five-year residence period, income, and language proficiency. This is longer than for a temporary residence card, due to the depth of the review.
What benefits does the EU resident card provide
- Visa-free travel within the Schengen Area (90 out of 180 days)
- Residence and employment in most EU countries without a new application
- Work in Poland without a separate work permit
- Purchase of real estate and land on general terms
- Access to mortgages and banking services
- Running a business (działalność gospodarcza) on the same terms as citizens
- An easier path to Polish citizenship later on
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Protection from deportation - Free education on equal terms with citizens
What to do in case of refusal
A refusal can be challenged — an appeal is filed with the higher authority within 14 days of receiving the decision. The most common reasons for refusal are insufficient proof of continuous residence, insufficient or unstable income, or a lack of confirmed B1 language proficiency.
EU Resident Card or Permanent Residence Card — what's the difference
| Parameter | EU Long-Term Resident Card | Permanent Residence Card (settlement) |
|---|---|---|
| Valid in | Poland + simplified relocation to other EU countries | Poland only |
| Language requirement | B1 mandatory | Not always mandatory (depends on the basis) |
| Residence period requirement | 5 years continuously on residence-card grounds | 5 years (or another basis — marriage, origin) |
| Who it suits | Those who may relocate to another EU country in the future | Those planning to stay specifically in Poland |
What changed in the rules in 2025–2026
- On November 21, 2025, an amendment to the Act on Foreigners was signed, providing for the digitalization of stay legalization procedures
- During 2026, applications for EU resident status are moving to exclusively electronic submission via the MOS portal
- Since December 1, 2025, new application forms have been in effect, and official fees have been increased
Do I need to retake the language exam when renewing the card?
No, language proficiency is confirmed only once, when the status is first obtained — renewing the card (reissuing the document) does not require re-confirmation.
Can I still get the status if I had long trips abroad?
Breaks of up to 6 months in a row and up to 10 months in total over the entire five-year period are allowed — exceeding these limits generally breaks continuity and requires starting the count over.
What happens to the status if I move to another EU country?
EU resident status simplifies relocation, but you will still need to obtain a local residence permit in the new country — the status grants a priority right, not automatic citizenship or a residence permit in another country.