Polish residence permit in 2026: how to get it
A temporary residence permit of up to 3 years for work, business, study or family, fees from $120 with the card, and from 2026 electronic filing only. We cover the grounds, the cost and the path to permanent status and citizenship.
In short
- A temporary residence permit is granted for up to 3 years for work, business, study or family.
- Fees with the card are about $120, with the right to work about $145, permanent residence about $195.
- From 2026 applications are filed electronically only.
- After 3 years with permanent residence you can become a Polish citizen and keep your previous passport.
In detail
Poland grants foreigners a temporary residence permit of up to 3 years for work, business, study or family, with fees from about $120 including the card. From 2026 applications are filed only electronically through the Office for Foreigners portal, and permanent status and a route to citizenship open after several years of lawful residence.
How to get a Polish residence permit in 2026
| Ground | Main condition | Term |
|---|---|---|
| Work | a contract with a Polish employer and a work permit or a single residence and work permit | up to 3 years |
| Own business | a Polish company that pays taxes and creates jobs or carries on genuine activity | up to 3 years |
| Study | enrolment at a Polish university | for the period of study |
| Family | spouse or child of a Polish citizen or of a foreigner with a residence permit | up to 3 years |
A foreigner already in Poland applies to the voivode of their place of residence while their visa or visa-free stay is valid. After filing they may remain in the country until the decision. While the case is pending, travel outside Poland is possible only with a valid visa, so trips are planned in advance.
How much a Polish residence permit costs
| Payment | Amount |
|---|---|
| Temporary residence permit | ~$90 |
| Single residence and work permit | ~$115 |
| Permanent residence permit | ~$165 |
| Residence card | ~$30 |
With the card, a temporary residence permit comes to about $120, with the right to work about $145, and permanent residence about $195. On top come sworn translations, health insurance and proof of housing and income. Amounts are at the National Bank of Poland rate on the date checked, rounded up.
Fees from $120, but a refusal over an incomplete file costs months
The law does not forbid applying for a Polish residence permit on your own. But mistakes cost more than the fees: a ground that does not fit your case, an employment contract without the required terms, an incomplete electronic application that gets the case suspended, trips during processing without a valid visa. We choose the ground, prepare documents and translations, file through the portal and see the case through to the card.
The cost of support depends on the ground and your family; a manager will calculate it in the chat.
Permanent residence and citizenship
Permanent residence is quickest for holders of the Pole's Card, spouses of Polish citizens and people of Polish descent. Others can obtain EU long-term resident status after 5 years of lawful residence, which requires income, insurance and Polish.
After 3 years with permanent residence you can become a Polish citizen through the voivode, and Pole's Card holders need just a year. Poland does not require giving up a previous passport. Details are in Polish citizenship.
Restrictions for some nationalities
Since 2022 the route to a Polish residence permit has narrowed for some nationalities; for them it is realistically open through the Pole's Card, family or EU long-term resident status in another member state. Those already living in Poland on a residence permit renew it on the general terms.
A foreigner can open a company in Poland without a residence permit, but the company itself does not give status. How it works is on the page how a foreigner can open a company in Poland, and residents' taxes on taxes in Poland.
How we help
Company in Poland
Online company registration and a basis for a business residence permit.
Learn more →Property in Poland
Choosing and checking a home for living in the country.
Learn more →Taxes in Poland
Residence, salary and business taxes.
Learn more →We will find the right ground for a Polish residence permit. Tell us about your citizenship, work and family. We will show which route is open and what to prepare for the application.
FAQ
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Don’t want to figure this out alone?
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