Residence Card for Family Reunification in Poznań
Contents
Cooperation Process
01
Free Initial Consultation
1. During a personal meeting at our office, we assess your chances of obtaining a Residence Card (Karta Pobytu);
2. We review your existing documents and propose the most suitable legalization pathway in Poland.
02
Step-by-Step Action Plan
1. We sign a service agreement with you; 2. We provide a personalized checklist of required documents; 3. We deliver a clear step-by-step action plan from the start of our cooperation until obtaining a temporary or permanent residence permit.
03
Preparation of All Required Documents
1. We complete all necessary application forms; 2. We contact your employer (or accountant) and jointly prepare the document package for submission; 3. We book an appointment for your personal visit to the urząd (office); 4. We prepare photocopies and notarized copies of documents required for submission.
04
Full Support Until Receiving the Residence Card
1. On the day of the visit to the urząd, you will be accompanied by a dedicated specialist acting as your official representative (Pełnomocnik); 2. Throughout the entire application review process, we maintain monthly contact with your employer (or accountant) and request any additional documents needed (tax confirmations, contracts, etc.); 3. We monitor the status of your case daily, inform you about any updates, and promptly respond to official requests.
05
Case Completion
1. We accompany you on the day you receive your residence card; 2. We offer a favorable discount on all services provided by our company.
Basic
From 750 zł
Only until the end of April!
(Including 23% VAT)
- Legal consultation
- Preparation of a checklist of required documents
- Review of available documents
- Completion of the residence card application in the MOS system
- Electronic submission of documents
- Other services (upon agreement)
Ускоренный
2200 zł
1500 zł
Only until the end of April!
(Including 23% VAT)
- Payment in 2 stages
- Legal consultation
- Preparation of a checklist of required documents
- Full review and collection of all documents
- Completion of the residence card application in the MOS system
- Electronic submission of documents
- Accompaniment during in-person submission
- Full control of your case
- Monthly submission of additional documents
- Free appeal in case of refusal
- Drafting of a ponaglenie (request to expedite the case)
- Drafting of a skarga do Sądu Administracyjnego (complaint to the Administrative Court)
- Creation of an electronic digital signature (Profil Zaufany)
- Creation of an electronic mailbox (E-Doręczenia)
- Accompaniment on the day of receiving the residence card
Required Documents
Please note that each residence card case is reviewed individually, and additional documents may be required.
Temporary Residence Permit Based on Family Reunification in Poland
A residence card based on family reunification is a temporary residence permit (TRP) issued to the spouse and minor children of a foreigner who is already legally residing in Poland. In practice, this procedure is called połączenie z rodziną — joining a family member who lives in Poland under an appropriate legal status. The regulations emphasize that this is specifically about joining the receiving party, not about any general “family residence.”
This ground is used when the “inviting” family member holds one of the statuses that allow family reunification, such as pobyt stały (permanent residence), rezydent długoterminowy UE (EU long-term resident), refugee status, or subsidiary protection. There is also a separate situation where the receiving party holds pobyt czasowy (temporary residence), but it must be “mature” for reunification. This means the person has lived in Poland on consecutive temporary permits for at least around 2 years, and immediately before applying for family reunification, holds a permit issued for at least 1 year.
If the husband or wife already has a residence card and has been staying in Poland on temporary permits for at least 2 years, the application for the second spouse usually follows the classic family reunification route. If, however, the receiving party does not yet have a residence card or has not accumulated the required “length of stay” under temporary permits, the second spouse is usually eligible for a different legalization basis, often referred to as pobyt z cudzoziemcem (residence with a foreigner). Formally, this is not połączenie z rodziną under Article 159, but a separate category of temporary stay. In this case, the focus is on living together with a foreigner and proving the relationship, accommodation, and financial means, without the requirement of “2 years” on the part of the receiving party.
When can you obtain a residence card based on family reunification?
The applicant must fall under the legal definition of a “family member.” Typically, this includes:
a spouse in a marriage recognized by Polish law;
a minor child of the applicant or of the spouse, including an adopted child;
a minor child of a foreigner, if the foreigner actually exercises parental authority.
Important. If your relationship does not fall under the legal definition of a “family member” (for example, if you live together without being married), this is no longer considered “family reunification” but a different type of temporary residence.
A permit is granted if you are joining a foreign family member who holds one of the following statuses in Poland:
Permanent residence or long-term status
Applicable if the spouse or parent holds pobyt stały or pobyt rezydenta długoterminowego UE.International protection
Applicable if the person has refugee status or subsidiary protection. For families of such persons, the rules usually provide certain facilitations.A temporary residence card that has already “matured” for reunification
This is a common practice: the spouse or parent has temporary residence, but a certain period of stay on such permits is required. The essence is that the receiving party must hold a temporary residence permit issued for a substantial period and must have actually lived in Poland on consecutive permits for a specific amount of time. Hence the logic: when a spouse’s residence has lasted for approximately 2 years, the application of the second party is most often submitted as family reunification.If the “time threshold” for the spouse has not yet been met
In this case, the spouse usually cannot automatically enter the family reunification procedure (łączenie rodzin) and is more often legalized under a different provision — as residence with a foreigner (pobyt z cudzoziemcem), which should not be confused with family reunification.
Conditions That Must Be Met When Applying for a Residence Card Based on Family Reunification
In order to obtain a residence card based on family reunification (family-based temporary residence permit) in Poznań, three basic blocks usually must be fulfilled:
1) Health insurance in Poland
The applicant must have valid insurance that covers medical treatment on the territory of Poland (NFZ/ZUS or private insurance with real coverage).
2) Stable means to support the family
Confirmed, regular income sufficient to support all family members is required. Most often, the income of the “inviting” person and/or the total family income is shown. It is important that the source of income is clear and that documents confirm its stability.
3) Formally confirmed family relationship or marriage
There must be an official document confirming marriage or family ties that is recognized by Polish law. In addition, there must be no signs of a fictitious relationship — both documents and factual circumstances should clearly indicate a genuine family connection.
If you are applying specifically under family reunification (połączenie z rodziną), the case is not limited to presenting a marriage certificate alone. The authority usually assesses the status history of the “inviting” person in Poland together with the evidence of family ties as one complete set. For certain categories (for example, families of Polish citizens or families of persons granted international protection), the requirements may be more lenient, but these three blocks still need to be fulfilled.
List of Documents for a Residence Card Based on Family Reunification
Below is a standard list of documents that is used as a basis when applying for a residence card / temporary residence permit based on family reunification in Poznań (the final package depends on your specific situation and the status of the receiving party):
Application (wniosek) for temporary residence (pobyt czasowy)
Usually prepared in 2 copies; for children under 13 years of age, sometimes 1 copy is requested — depending on local practice at the time of submission.2 recent photographs 45×35 mm
(passport-style photos, taken recently).International passport
Original for inspection and copies of all completed pages (visas, stamps, markings).Proof of payment of the administrative fee
The amount depends on the category; it is important to attach confirmation of payment.Document confirming family relationship or marriage, recognized by Polish law
(for example, a marriage certificate or birth certificate, properly оформed).Document confirming the status of the “inviting” person in Poland
A residence card and/or a decision granting the right of stay, or another document confirming the basis for family reunification.Proof of accommodation in Poland
(lease agreement, użyczenie, confirmation of residence, etc.).Medical insurance of the applicant
(NFZ/ZUS or private insurance covering treatment in Poland).Proof of stable and regular income sufficient to support the family
(usually the income of the “inviting” person and/or the total family income is provided).
When Can You Apply for a Residence Card Based on Family Reunification?
In Poznań (as in other cities), the scenario depends on what status in Poland is held by the spouse or close family member you are joining, and what rights that status provides. Below are the most common situations for a family-based temporary residence permit.
If your spouse is a foreigner who has just applied (or is applying) for pobyt czasowy or already holds their first temporary residence card, you may also apply for a residence card based on family reunification. However, it is quite common for such a card to be issued without access to the labor market. This means that for legal employment you may need a separate work permit (in some cases there are exceptions, for example for Ukrainian citizens during special protection regimes). In this type of application, documents confirming the marriage (with a Polish translation if required) are usually mandatory, as well as proof of stable, regular income sufficient to support all family members.
If the receiving party — the foreign spouse — already holds a “stronger” status in Poland, the family more often has the possibility to obtain a residence card with access to the labor market. This usually applies when the spouse holds: a permanent residence card, temporary residence that has lasted continuously for more than 2 years, an EU Blue Card, EU long-term resident status, or similar permits. In such cases, the authorities focus on confirming the minimum income per family member, verifying that the family genuinely lives together, and ensuring there are no doubts regarding the authenticity of the marriage.
If you are not married and your partner is a Polish citizen or holds a temporary or permanent residence permit, it is important to understand a key nuance: this type of application more often does not grant access to the labor market, and the partner’s income is not always treated as “joint income” that automatically covers expenses for both people. In such situations, you usually need to have your own contract (employment or civil contract) or another legal source of income that can be properly documented in Poland (including options that are correctly reflected in the tax system).
If your spouse holds Polish citizenship, you apply for temporary residence on the basis of marriage. In addition to standard documents, this usually includes a copy of the spouse’s identity document, a marriage certificate (if the marriage was registered in Poland — a Polish certificate), as well as proof of joint residence and running a common household. Then, provided the conditions are met, after a certain period of temporary residence it becomes possible to apply for pobyt stały (permanent residence), and later — after meeting the required timeframes — for citizenship.
A residence card (temporary residence permit) based on family reunification in Poznań can also be obtained when the second spouse is only beginning legalization and is submitting documents for the first time. And if your decision states “without access to the labor market,” this does not mean a permanent ban on work — it means that when taking up employment, a separate work permit may be required for each new job (unless you fall under an exception).
Main Advantages of Family-Based Temporary Residence Compared to a Standard Temporary Residence Permit
The key difference of a family-based residence permit is that a residence card based on family reunification is not tied to a single employer or a specific contract. With a work-based residence permit, any significant change in employment often entails formalities and sometimes the need to change the decision itself. In the case of family reunification, the status is based on family ties and the legal stay of the “inviting” person, so changing jobs, switching employers, or a break in employment usually does not create a separate problem for legalization, as long as the family basis remains valid and the basic conditions are met.
The second advantage is convenience for self-employment. If you hold a family-based residence permit and your decision includes access to the labor market, you can not only work as an employee but also open a sole proprietorship (JDG) and run a business. This is practical for those who do not want to depend on a single contract and plan to develop services, online projects, or small-scale trade. Business activity is also possible on a work-based residence permit, but in that case the legal basis and documents often need more precise structuring to avoid conflicts with the employment-based grounds.
The third point is that everyday and administrative matters in Poznań are easier for families to handle. When spouses and children share a unified legalization framework, it is simpler to register an address, arrange kindergarten or school, handle medical matters, banking services, and long-term rentals. During extensions, you usually continue along the same path without changing the basis each time, as long as the family situation remains stable.
Finally, compared to “special circumstances,” family-based residence often appears more predictable because it relies on a clear set of evidence: marriage or kinship, joint residence, income, and insurance. This basis is usually easier to explain and document than cases where the outcome depends on the assessment of scattered or loosely connected circumstances.
Who Can Be Invited Under Family Reunification
The “family reunification” basis is used when one family member already legally lives in Poland on the basis of a residence card, EU resident status, or citizenship, and the second family member applies for a residence card based on family reunification as joining the receiving party. In most cases, applications are submitted for a spouse and for children under 18 years of age.
It is important to keep in mind that the urząd assesses not only the formal kinship but also the genuineness of family relationships. If the documents look “dry” and do not form a coherent family story, additional questions may arise — especially when the marriage was concluded recently or outside Poland.
Validity Period of the Residence Card and What It Is Tied To
A residence card based on family reunification is not issued “for as long as you want,” but is tied to the status of the person you are joining. In the practice of voivodeship offices, the validity of a family-based permit is usually limited by the expiration date of the valid residence permit or authorization held by the spouse or parent. In other words, the family residence card generally cannot be valid longer than the legal basis of the receiving party. If you are joining a spouse with permanent residence (pobyt stały), the validity period of your temporary residence permit cannot exceed 3 years.
When reviewing the case, the authorities assess not only the set of documents but also the actual family circumstances. This is especially noticeable in cases involving children: the best interests of the minor, the stability of family ties, and how long the family has actually been living in Poland are taken into account.
If the Spouse or Child Is Still Outside Poland
It may happen that a family reunification decision has already been issued, but the spouse or child is still abroad. In such a case, the usual next step is to apply for a visa in order to implement the granted permit and enter Poland on that basis. After entry, the residence card (plastic card) is then issued at the authority handling the case.
Working Without a Separate Permit and Greater Flexibility in Employment
A family reunification temporary residence permit grants the right to work in Poland without obtaining an additional work permit. For families, this is a convenient option: you are not tied to a single employer and can change jobs without having to “rebuild” the legal basis, as is often required with a work-based residence card.
If access to the labor market is granted, this also makes it easier to start your own business activity (for example, opening a sole proprietorship — JDG), because the right to work is covered by the residence status itself rather than by a separate permit tied to a specific employer.
Verification of the Genuineness of the Marriage and Why the Correspondence Address Matters
If the application is based on a spouse, the urząd has the right to verify whether the marriage is genuine. In real cases, this takes the form of requests for information and an assessment of evidence of living together. Therefore, documents and a coherent relationship history are needed not “for show,” but to avoid creating grounds for additional questions.
The address for official correspondence is also particularly important. If you change your place of residence in Poznań or within the Greater Poland Voivodeship, you must inform the authorities, as letters and notifications may otherwise be returned due to an outdated address. This directly affects processing times and increases the risk of missing a wezwanie or another important letter related to your case.
Support With Submitting and Obtaining a Residence Card in Poznań
We provide full support for obtaining a residence card based on family reunification in Poznań — from the initial analysis of your situation to the final decision of the voivodeship office. This is not about “simply attaching a marriage certificate.” It is important that the document package presents the family history consistently, and that proof of accommodation, income, and insurance aligns logically and covers the required periods.
We handle first-time applications and extensions, as well as complex cases: when the status of the “inviting” spouse or parent changes, when the family relocates, when children are born, or when documents from another country need to be correctly prepared. Most mistakes occur in the details — timelines, wording, and types of evidence — which is why we structure the case in advance as a single, coherent package so it does not turn into an endless chain of additional requests.
We fully collect and coordinate all documents:
We conduct a consultation and determine whether your situation qualifies for family reunification or whether a different residence basis would be more appropriate.
We prepare a personalized list of documents tailored to your family and the status of the spouse or parent in Poland.
We help prepare the documents of the receiving party and explain exactly what must be confirmed regarding accommodation, income, and insurance.
We review documents related to marriage and children; if necessary, we arrange translations and bring the entire set to a unified standard.
We prepare the application and attachments for submission in Poznań, aligning dates and wording across all documents.
We support the case during processing: we prepare responses to letters and wezwania and handle the submission of additional documents at the request of the office.
If processing times are delayed, we prepare a ponaglenie and handle further administrative steps in the case.
After the decision, we accompany you through the process of receiving the residence card; if necessary, we prepare an appeal when the reason for refusal can be addressed through documentation and legal argumentation.
Family Reunification in Poland With SKILLDOCS Support
SKILLDOCS supports the family reunification residence card process at all stages. We analyze the situation, identify the documents that truly influence the decision, and build a clear, consistent case logic.
Our goal is to guide the process so that your family can legally live together in Poland — with the correct legal basis, a strong document package, and full control of each step until the result.
If you are planning to apply for a family reunification residence permit in Poznań, submit a request on the SKILLDOCS website — and we will propose the optimal course of action tailored to your situation.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have obtained a residence permit on the basis of family reunification, you are not required to report a change of employment. In your case, the basis for obtaining a residence permit is your spouse. Accordingly, you are required to notify the immigration authorities in the event of a change in circumstances relating to your marriage.
If your spouse has a residence permit or citizenship, the processing time is standard and takes approximately three months from the date of personal submission of documents. It is also worth considering the time it takes to print the plastic card.
If your spouse does not yet have a residence permit or citizenship, your case will only be considered after a positive decision has been made on your spouse's case.
You can apply for a permanent residence card provided that you have been residing in Poland continuously for at least 2 years on the basis of a temporary residence card obtained in connection with your marriage to a Polish citizen and that more than 3 years have passed since your marriage.
Free Consultation
within 30 minutes.
- SKILLDOCS SP. z O.O.
- KRS: 0000966749
- NIP: 5252904413
