Permanent Residence Card
Pobyt bezterminowy
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. Permanent Residence Card Unlimited A permanent residence permit in Poland — with no expiry date, and no renewals
dependent on an employer or family status. Granted on the basis of 5+ years of legal residence, Polish origin, marriage to a PL citizen, or refugee status.
What is a permanent residence card
A permanent residence card (karta pobytu stałego), also known as zezwolenie na pobyt stały, is an unlimited residence status in Poland, commonly referred to as permanent residency. Unlike a temporary card, it is not tied to a specific employer, university, or contract term, and is not automatically annulled if circumstances change. The physical plastic card itself is renewed once every 10 years (for citizens — once every 10 years, for status holders — as per the regulations), but the residence status itself remains permanent. The application is submitted online via the MOS portal to the Urząd Wojewódzki at the place of residence.
After 5 years on a temporary basis (czasowego)
The most common path to permanent residence in Poland. Available to foreigners who have legally resided in Poland on the basis of a zezwolenie na pobyt czasowy for at least 5 continuous years immediately preceding the application. 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 (breaks of up to 6 months in a row and up to 10 months in total are allowed), a stable and regular income, registered housing in Poland, and valid health insurance.
Polish origin / Karta Polaka
For descendants of Polish citizens — often the fastest path to permanent status. Available to foreigners with documented Polish origin or holders of a valid Karta Polaka (Pole's Card) who intend to settle in Poland permanently. The application is submitted online via the MOS portal to the Urząd Wojewódzki at the place of residence. Key requirements: confirmed Polish origin through at least one parent, a grandparent, or two great-grandparents (birth certificates, registry records, archival documents) — or a valid Karta Polaka; a declared intention to settle in Poland; a registered address in Poland. No minimum period of prior residence is required.
Marriage to a Polish citizen (residence card through marriage)
Permanent residence on the basis of marriage to a Polish citizen. Available after at least 3 years of marriage and 2 years of continuous legal residence in Poland on the basis of a zezwolenie na pobyt czasowy. The application is submitted online via the MOS portal to the Urząd Wojewódzki at the place of residence. Key requirements: a valid marriage certificate (with an apostille and a sworn translation, if issued abroad), evidence of a genuine married life (shared address, joint finances, family life), Polish citizenship of one of the spouses, continuous legal residence throughout the qualifying period, and registered housing in Poland.
Refugee / humanitarian grounds
Permanent residence for persons granted refugee status or subsidiary protection in Poland. Available after at least 5 years of legal residence in Poland on the basis of international or subsidiary protection. The application is submitted online via the MOS portal to the Urząd Wojewódzki at the place of residence. Key requirements: a valid decision granting refugee status or subsidiary protection from the Head of the Office for Foreigners, 5 years of continuous legal residence under that status, registered housing in Poland, and stable means of support.
What documents are needed in any case
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A foreign passport - A completed wniosek o udzielenie zezwolenia na pobyt stały
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A biometric photo - Proof of the basis (certificate of continuous residence, documents on origin, marriage certificate, or refugee status decision — specific to each basis, see above)
- Proof of income and health insurance
- Proof of registered residence in Poland
- A receipt for payment of the stamp duty and the card production fee (100 zloty)
How the application procedure works
- Creating an account in the MOS system and filling out the wniosek online
- Signing the application with an electronic signature
- Gathering documents for the specific basis
- Submitting the application and paying the fees
- Scheduling and attending biometrics at the Urząd Wojewódzki
- Waiting for the review — usually longer for a permanent card than for a temporary one
- Receiving the decyzja (decision)
- If the decision is positive — collecting the card (within 60 days of notification)
How long does it take to process the application
The official period for permanent residence is usually longer than for a temporary card, and often exceeds several months due to more thorough verification of the grounds (length of residence, origin, authenticity of the marriage). The transition to electronic submission via MOS in 2026 may somewhat reduce technical delays, but does not affect the depth of the review itself.
Permanent residence card or EU long-term resident card
Both statuses are unlimited, but the EU long-term resident card grants additional rights when relocating and working in other EU countries, whereas the permanent residence card is valid only within Poland. For most applicants who are not planning to move to another EU country, the permanent residence card is a simpler and faster path.
Main reasons for refusal
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Interruption of the residence period | A break in legal residence longer than allowed (6 months in a row / 10 in total) |
| Insufficient proof of income | Income is unstable or below the required level |
| Sham/fraudulent marriage | Insufficient evidence of a genuine married life when applying on the marriage basis |
| Insufficient proof of origin | Incomplete or unconfirmed archival documents for the Karta Polaka |
| Issues with registration of residence | Legal address of residence in Poland not confirmed |
| Errors in the application (wniosek) | Outdated form or technical inaccuracies |
What changed in the rules in 2025–2026
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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 permanent residence are moving to exclusively electronic submission via the MOS portal -
Since December 1, 2025, new application forms have been in effect, and official fees for review and card production have been increased
Do I need to renew my permanent residence card?
The status itself is unlimited, but the physical card as a document must be renewed once every 10 years — this is a technical procedure that does not require re-proving the grounds.
Can I get a permanent card right away, without a temporary one first?
In most cases, no — nearly all grounds require a preceding period of legal residence on a temporary card or corresponding status (except for certain cases involving the Karta Polaka).
What happens to the permanent card in case of divorce after obtaining it through marriage?
If permanent status has already been granted and the decision has taken effect, a subsequent divorce does not by itself annul the already issued card — but the circumstances at the time of application are thoroughly reviewed.