EU Long-Term Resident Status in Poland
Contents
Cooperation process
01
Initial free consultation
1. During a personal meeting at our office, we assess your chances of obtaining the Karta Rezydenta Długoterminowego UE;
2. We review the documents you already have and propose the optimal legalization path in Poland.
02
Development of a step-by-step action plan
1. ЗWe conclude a service agreement with you;
2. We provide a personalized checklist of required documents;
3. We prepare a step-by-step action plan from the start of cooperation until obtaining permanent residence.
03
Preparation of all required documents
1. We complete all required application forms; 2. We contact your employer (or accountant) and jointly prepare the document package for submission; 3. We book an appointment date at the voivodeship office (urząd); 4. We prepare copies and notarized copies of documents required for submission.
04
Full support until receiving the residence card
1. On the day of your visit to the office, you are accompanied by a personal specialist acting as your official representative (Pełnomocnik); 2. Throughout the entire review process, we contact your employer (or accountant) monthly and request documents required for supplementation (tax confirmations, contracts, etc.); 3. We monitor the status of your case daily, inform you about updates, and respond to official requests (wezwania).
05
Completion of the case
1. We accompany you on the day you receive your residence card; 2. We provide a significant discount on all services of our company.
Basic
From 1000 zł
Only until the end of April!
(Including VAT 23%)
- Legal consultation
- Review of available documents
- Preparation of a checklist of required documents
- Completion of the residence card application
- Electronic submission of documents
- Other services (by agreement)
Full
2500 zł
2300 zł
Only until the end of April!
(Including VAT 23%)
- Payment in 2 stages
- Legal consultation
- Preparation of a checklist of required documents
- Verification and collection of all documents
- Collection and preparation of employer documents
- Completion of the residence card application in the MOS system
- Support during personal submission
- Full control of your case
- Preparation of ponaglenie (request to accelerate proceedings)
- Preparation of a complaint to the Administrative Court (skarga do Sądu Administracyjnego)
- Monthly supplementation of documents
- Free appeal in case of refusal
- Support on the day of card collection
- Electronic submission of documents
- Creation of a digital signature Profil Zaufany
- Creation of an electronic mailbox E-Doręczenia
Required documents
EU long-term resident status and conditions for obtaining it
EU long-term resident status is a permit to reside in Poland without a time limit, issued by a decision of the voivode. Separately, a plastic residence card is issued — it is valid for 5 years and then replaced, while the status itself remains in force.
To obtain the EU resident card in Wrocław, you must confirm continuous and legal residence in Poland for at least 5 years. Not all periods are counted equally (for example, periods of study are usually counted at 50%), so it is important to calculate the duration correctly. Authorities also verify stable income over a three-year period, health insurance, proof of accommodation, and Polish language proficiency at minimum B1 level — only certificates from the official list are accepted.
The state fee for case review is usually 640 zł, and 100 zł for issuing the residence card.
What does EU resident status in Poland provide?
It grants an indefinite right to reside in Poland. The decision does not specify an expiration date; only the plastic card is replaced every 5 years — without repeating the full procedure.
In essence, this is the next level after temporary residence cards: you close the topic of regular renewals and obtain a more stable status for work, family, and long-term life planning in Poland.
An additional advantage is the possibility to move and legalize stay in another EU country for more than 3 months under the rules for long-term residents, subject to the host country’s conditions.
Continuity of residence is important. This does not mean a ban on travel, but limits on the duration of absence. In certain situations, time spent abroad may still count as maintaining ties with Poland (for example, business trips for a Polish employer or exceptional personal circumstances).
In Wrocław, cases are reviewed by the Dolnośląski Urząd Wojewódzki. In the application, it is important to clearly present your history of legal stay and evidence of income, insurance, housing, and language proficiency so that the inspector can easily understand what is being confirmed and for which periods.
How long do you need to live in Poland to obtain EU resident status?
For the EU long-term resident card (zezwolenie na pobyt rezydenta długoterminowego UE), the basic rule is the same: you must legally and continuously live in Poland for at least 5 years immediately before submission.
“Continuous” means limits on travel. Within those 5 years, absences are allowed provided that each trip does not exceed 6 months, and the total duration of all absences does not exceed 10 months.
There are exceptions when longer absences do not break continuity — for example, work abroad under a contract with a Polish employer.
This is especially relevant for EU Blue Card holders. Periods of legal residence in other EU countries under a Blue Card may count toward the 5-year requirement, subject to conditions (including a required period of residence in Poland under a highly qualified basis).
In Wrocław, such cases are handled by the Dolnośląski Urząd Wojewódzki, so residence periods and travel should be calculated precisely by dates and documents, not approximately.
Required income level for EU resident status
The income requirement consists of two parts.
First — quality of income: it must be legal, stable, and regular, and exceed the threshold granting eligibility for social assistance (kryterium dochodowe w pomocy społecznej).
Second — assessment period. Income is evaluated dynamically:
2 years before submission for certain Blue Card–related cases;
3 years before submission in all other cases.
List of documents for EU long-term resident status in Poland
Below is the basic list of documents required to apply for EU long-term resident status in Poland (Karta Rezydenta Długoterminowego UE). In Wrocław, applications are reviewed by the Dolnośląski Urząd Wojewódzki.
Completed application for zezwolenie na pobyt rezydenta długoterminowego UE using the current official form.
3 recent biometric photographs (usually 2 photos for children under 13).
Copy of a valid international passport + original for verification. If a passport cannot be obtained, another identity document may be accepted depending on the situation.
Proof of legal right to accommodation in Poland (e.g., rental agreement or other legal title). In some cases, the office specifies that użyczenie is not always accepted as a legal title.
Proof of legal residence for the required period and compliance with continuity rules (copies of decisions, residence cards, visas/stamps, and documents explaining absences).
Proof of stable and regular income for the required period (PIT/UPO, contracts, employer certificates with monthly accruals and payments).
Proof of health insurance in Poland or insurer confirmation of coverage in Poland.
Proof of Polish language proficiency at B1 level or higher, or alternative official documents (e.g., education in Polish if recognized).
Sworn translations into Polish of all documents issued in other languages.
Proof of payment of the stamp duty — typically 640 zł for case review and 100 zł for issuing the residence card.
4 key differences between the EU resident card and a temporary residence card
- Stability — the EU long-term resident permit is issued for an indefinite period; only the plastic card is replaced every 5 years.
- Labor market freedom — you can work in Poland without a separate work permit, without employer dependency.
- EU mobility — the right to move to another EU country for more than 3 months and apply for residence there under long-term resident rules.
- Everyday convenience — easier long-term planning for leases, loans, and family matters without constant renewals.
Accepted documents confirming Polish language proficiency
For EU resident status, Polish language proficiency is confirmed only by documents from a closed official list. Accepted options include certificates at B1 level or higher, as well as documents confirming education conducted in Polish.
The list is established by the MSWiA regulation of 31 May 2023. Recognized certificates may include ECL and telc, subject to compliance with the official list.
Important exception: the Polish language requirement does not apply to minors under 16 years old at the date of application.
Why EU resident cases are often more complex than expected
The EU resident card is often seen as a “next step” after temporary residence, but in practice it involves a higher level of scrutiny. The voivode evaluates the entire history of legal stay, and issues that were previously irrelevant may arise: some periods may not count toward the 5-year requirement, and travel is assessed against continuity limits.
The second challenge is documentation. It is not enough to show current employment — income, insurance, and housing must be confirmed for the required period. Authorities emphasize that the absence of proof of housing may result in proceedings not being initiated at all. A common nuance is użyczenie, which is not always recognized as a legal title to accommodation except in specific cases (e.g., certain family relationships).
That is why, in Wrocław, it is crucial to prepare a complete residence history and carefully structure income, insurance, and housing documents to avoid unnecessary questions from the Dolnośląski Urząd Wojewódzki.
Assistance with obtaining the EU long-term resident card in Wrocław
We provide full support for obtaining the EU long-term resident card in Wrocław — from the initial assessment to the final decision. Our work goes beyond filling out forms: we structure the case so that the inspector clearly sees the logic behind residence periods, income, insurance, housing, and language documents.
We handle first-time applications, repeat submissions, and complex cases involving studies, changes of residence grounds, gaps in legalization, long absences, or changes in income sources or employment type. In such situations, we prepare evidence in advance and organize documents consistently.
Our services include:
Consultation and eligibility assessment;
Personalized checklist and action plan;
Verification of residence periods and risks;
Structuring income, insurance, and housing documentation;
Preparation of applications and attachments;
Support during proceedings and responses to requests;
Preparation of ponaglenie in case of delays;
Support at the card issuance stage;
Preparation of appeals in case of refusal.
EU Resident Status in Poland with SKILLDOCS support
SKILLDOCS handles EU long-term resident cases in Wrocław — from residence period verification to the voivode’s decision. We analyze your stay year by year, calculate qualifying periods, organize income, insurance, and housing documentation, and prepare a coherent, well-structured application.
Our goal is to make zezwolenie na pobyt rezydenta długoterminowego UE a clear and manageable process for you.
If you want to obtain the EU resident card in Wrocław — leave a request on the SKILLDOCS website. We will assess your situation and provide a concrete submission plan.
Frequently asked questions
You may leave Poland, but you will need a visa or other legal basis to re-enter the country.
A long-term resident permit is issued to a foreigner for an indefinite period, but the card itself must be renewed every 5 years.
Free consultation
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- NIP: 5252904413
