Poland offers several types of residence permits depending on your purpose of stay, length of stay, and future plans. Each permit comes with different rights and requirements — choosing the right one is essential for a smooth and legal stay in the country.

Here are the main types of residence permits available in Poland:

🟢 Temporary Residence Permit (TRC)Issued for up to 3 years, this is the most common permit for foreigners who:

• Work in Poland
• Study at a Polish university
• Run a business
• Live with a family member

📝 You must apply before your visa or current permit expires.

🔵 Permanent Residence PermitDesigned for those who plan to live in Poland long-term, especially if:

• You have Polish roots or a Polish spouse
• You’ve legally lived in Poland for 5+ years
• You are the child of a Polish resident

✅ Valid indefinitely and allows full access to the Polish labor market.

🟡 Long-Term EU Resident PermitAvailable after 5 years of legal stay in the EU (including Poland) and proof of integration.
Gives you more mobility rights across the EU than a regular TRC.

🔴 Residence Permit for Humanitarian or Special Reasons Issued in exceptional cases — for example:

• Medical treatment
• Safety concerns
• Exceptional family or humanitarian situations

Requires detailed explanation and supporting documents.

To apply for a residence permit in Poland — whether temporary, permanent, or long-term EU — you must meet several legal and practical requirements. While specific documents vary depending on your situation (work, study, family), the general eligibility criteria remain the same.

📌 1. Legal Stay in PolandYou must already be staying in Poland legally — for example, on a visa, visa-free entry, or an existing permit. You cannot apply if you entered Poland illegally or overstayed your visa.

📑 2. Valid Purpose of StayYou must prove why you're applying for the permit. Common legal purposes include:

• Employment (job contract, work permit)
• Studies (university enrollment)
• Running a business
• Family reunification (marriage, children, parents)

💶 3. Stable and Regular IncomeYou need to show that you can support yourself without relying on Polish social benefits. Acceptable proof includes:

• Employment contract with salary
• Business income
• Bank statements or sponsorship from a family member

🏠 4. Confirmed Accommodation in PolandYou must prove that you have a place to live — such as:

• Rental agreement
• Property ownership
• Letter of accommodation from a host

🛡️ 5. Valid Health InsuranceYou must have either:

• Public health insurance (ZUS or NFZ)
• Private health insurance valid in Poland

📷 6. Complete and Correct DocumentationApplications must include:

• Correctly filled application form
• Biometric photos
• Passport copies
• Translations (if needed)
• All required supporting documents based on your case

🔍 Important: Even small mistakes or missing documents can delay or block your application. It’s always best to consult professionals before submission.

Applying for a Polish residence permit (Temporary, Permanent, or Long-Term EU) requires a specific set of documents. Submitting a complete and correctly prepared file is key to avoiding delays or rejections.
Below is a general list of the most commonly required documents. Keep in mind, some additional documents may be needed based on your individual case.

🗂️ Standard Required Documents

• Completed Application Form

→ Must be filled out in Polish, typed or written clearly in capital letters.

• 4 Recent Biometric Photos

→ Color, 3.5 x 4.5 cm, meeting passport photo standards.

• Valid Passport (Original + Copies)

→ All pages with personal data and entry stamps/visas.

• Confirmation of Legal Stay in Poland

→ Valid visa or current residence card, plus entry stamp.

📌 Purpose-Specific Documents
🧑‍💼 If applying based on employment:

• Employment contract
• Work permit or employer’s declaration
• Proof of ZUS contributions or income
• Employer confirmation letter

🧑‍🎓 If applying based on studies:

• University acceptance letter or certificate
• Proof of tuition payment
• Student ID or class schedule
• Proof of income or sponsor’s support

💍 If applying based on marriage/family:

• Marriage certificate (with sworn Polish translation)
• Birth certificate (for children)
• Proof of shared residence
• Spouse's or parent's legal residence proof

🏢 If applying based on business:

• Company registration (KRS/CEIDG)
• Business activity report
• Office lease or company address proof
• Income or forecast for business activity

🧾 Additional Supporting Documents

• Proof of accommodation

→ Lease agreement, host statement, or property deed

• Proof of stable income

→ Bank statements, pay slips, tax declarations

• Health insurance

→ NFZ (public) or private insurance covering treatment in Poland

• Sworn translations of all non-Polish documents

→ Done by a certified translator (Tłumacz przysięgły)

📌 Pro tip: Always make copies of everything and keep originals ready for inspection.

📬 Need Help Preparing Your Application?
NEOPRIME Sp. z o.o. offers:

• Personal document checklists
• Document preparation & translation
• Application submission assistance
• Monitoring of your case status

One of the most common questions applicants ask is: “How long will I wait for my residence card?”
The answer depends on a few key factors — including your location, the type of permit, and whether your documents are complete.
Here’s a general guide to what you can expect in 2025:

🕐 Standard Processing Time

• Temporary Residence Permit (TRC):

📅 90 days up to 1 year

• Permanent Residence Permit:

📅 up to 18 months

• Long-Term EU Resident Permit:

📅 up to 18 months

📄 What Can Affect the Waiting Time?
❌ Missing or incorrect documents
🔁 Office requests for additional info
📌 No available appointments at your local office
📂 High number of pending applications
📣 Changes in immigration law or office policies

✅ Good to Know

• After submitting your application, you’ll receive a stamp in your passport confirming your legal stay in Poland while your case is being processed.
• ⚠️ This stamp does not allow travel in the Schengen Zone if your visa is expired.