EU Resident Card
Contents
The process of cooperation
01
Initial free consultation
1. At a personal meeting in our office we will assess your chances of obtaining a EU long-term residence permit;
2. We will check your documents and suggest the best way of legalization in Poland.
02
Drawing up a step-by-step algorithm of actions
1. We will enter into a service contract with you; 2. Provide a personal checklist of necessary documents; 3. We will provide a step-by-step algorithm of actions from the beginning of our joint work to obtaining a residence permit / permanent residence permit.
03
Preparation of all necessary documents
1. We will fill out all necessary questionnaires; 2. We will contact your employer (accountant) and jointly prepare the application package; 3. We will book a date for a personal visit to the Department for Foreigners (Urząd); 4. We will prepare photocopies and notarized copies of the documents required for filing.
04
Full accompaniment until the receipt of a residence card
1. On the day of the visit you will be accompanied by a personal specialist who will act as an official representative (Pełnomocnik); 2. Throughout the whole process of the case We will contact your employer (accountant) on a monthly basis and request the documents necessary for reporting (proof of tax payment, contracts, etc.); 3. We will monitor the status of your case on a daily basis, inform you about changes, respond to calls.
05
Follow-through
1. We accompany you on the day you receive your residence card; 2. We provide a good discount on all services of our company.
Basic
1000 zł
Only until the end of March!
(“Including VAT 23%”)
- Payment in 2 stages
- Legal consultation
- Review of existing documents
- Preparation of a checklist of required documents
- Filling out the residence card application
- Electronic submission of documents
Full
1950 zł
1800 zł
Only until the end of March!
(“Including VAT 23%”)
- Payment in 3 stages
- Legal consultation
- Preparation of a checklist of required documents
- Review and collection of all documents
- Filling out the residence card application in the MOS system
- Assistance during in-person submission
- Full case management
- Monthly submission of documents
- Free appeal in case of refusal
- Electronic submission of documents
Accelerated
2300 zł
2100 zł
Only until the end of March!
(“Including VAT 23%”)
- Payment in 3 stages
- Legal consultation
- Preparation of a checklist of required documents
- Review and collection of all documents
- Collection and preparation of documents from the employer
- Filling out the residence card application in the MOS system
- Assistance during in-person submission
- Full case management
- Drafting ponaglenie (request to expedite the case)
- Writing a complaint to the Administrative Court
- Monthly submission of documents
- Free appeal in case of refusal
- Assistance on the day of receiving the card
- Electronic submission of documents
- Creating an electronic digital signature “Profil Zaufany”
- Creating an electronic mailbox “E-Doręczenia”
Required documents
It is important to keep in mind that each case is considered on a case-by-case basis and additional documents may be required.
Who can apply for EU residency?
A foreigner who has been staying in Poland legally for at least 5 years without interruption immediately before applying for a long-term resident card.
A foreigner's stay in Poland is considered continuous if:
- None of the interruptions exceeded six months;
- All interruptions during 5 years did not exceed 10 months.
What conditions must be met to become an EU resident?
- Availability of a regular source of income (It is necessary to prove stable and regular income for the last 3 years before applying);
- Availability of health insurance;
- Proof of knowledge of Polish language at a level not lower than B1;
- Other documents.
How can I prove my knowledge of the Polish language?
There are many options on how to do this: from passing a state exam to obtaining a certificate of qualification as a sworn interpreter.
Our experienced lawyers will analyze your situation and help you choose the most appropriate option.
Why apply for an EU resident card when you can get an hourly residence card?
In contrast to an residence permit, which is issued for a period of one to three years (further it is necessary to re-collect a package of documents and apply for a new hourly residence card), a long-term resident's residence permit is issued to a foreigner indefinitely, but the card itself must be changed every 5 years.
EU Long-Term Resident Status in Poland
The EU long-term resident card is not just another step in the legalization process, but a transition into a completely different category of residence. This status is intended for people who have lived in Poland for many years, integrated into the system, and want to secure their position not as a temporary right, but as a stable and long-term legal status.
EU long-term resident status is granted for an indefinite period and is not dependent on employment, business activity, or studies. It confirms that the foreign national has met all the requirements for permanent residence in Poland as part of the wider European Union framework.
How EU Long-Term Resident Status Differs from Permanent Residence
At first glance, the difference between permanent residence and EU long-term resident status may seem minimal, especially to those who already hold a permanent residence card. In reality, the key distinction lies in the scope of rights beyond Poland’s borders.
Permanent residence is primarily tied to Poland, while EU long-term resident status opens real opportunities in other EU member states. This does not mean unrestricted relocation without formalities, but it significantly simplifies further legalization, employment, and change of country of residence within the EU. For many, this status becomes the logical next step after permanent residence.
Who Can Apply for an EU Long-Term Resident Card
The main requirement is long-term, legal, and uninterrupted residence in Poland. In most cases, this means five years, although the length of stay alone is not enough. The authorities assess the stability of income, possession of health insurance, absence of serious legal violations, and genuine integration into Polish society.
Knowledge of the Polish language is also assessed separately. For EU long-term resident status, language proficiency is not a formality. Official confirmation of language skills is mandatory and should be prepared well in advance.
Why EU Long-Term Resident Applications Are Often More Complex Than Expected
Many people view applying for EU long-term resident status as a natural continuation of their previous residence permit. In practice, it is one of the most demanding procedures. The authorities examine not only the applicant’s current situation, but the entire history of residence over several years.
Issues that previously seemed insignificant can suddenly become decisive. Gaps in legal stay, unrecorded travel, unstable income in the past, or problems with health insurance often come to light precisely at this stage.
What EU Long-Term Resident Status Provides in Practice
After obtaining an EU long-term resident card, a foreign national receives the most stable residence status available without acquiring citizenship. There is no need to renew the document or repeatedly prove the grounds for stay.
Additionally, the status offers real mobility within the European Union, simplified procedures when moving to another EU country, and a strong position for future citizenship applications. For those planning a long-term life in Europe, this status is one of the most important legal milestones.
EU Long-Term Resident Status in Poland with SKILLDOCS Support
Obtaining EU long-term resident status requires a strategic approach rather than simply collecting documents. SKILLDOCS provides comprehensive support in such cases: we analyze the residence history, identify potential risks, prepare clients for language requirements, and structure the application in a way that minimizes questions from the authorities.
Our goal is not merely to submit documents, but to guide the case to a positive decision without unexpected obstacles or unnecessary delays.
If you have been living in Poland for several years and want to secure your status as an EU long-term resident, leave an application on the SKILLDOCS website, and we will honestly advise you on the best timing and strategy for submission.
Frequently Asked Questions
Free consultation
within 30 minutes
- SKILLDOCS SP. z O.O.
- KRS: 0000966749
- NIP: 5252904413
