EU Resident Status in Poznań
Contents
Cooperation Process
01
Initial Free Consultation
1. During a personal meeting at our office, we will assess your chances of obtaining the Karta Rezydenta Długoterminowego UE;
2. We will review your existing documents and suggest the best legalization path in Poland.
02
Preparation of a Step-by-Step Action Plan
1. We will sign a service agreement with you;
2. We will provide a personalized checklist of necessary documents;
3. We will provide a step-by-step plan from the start of our collaboration to obtaining permanent residence.
03
Preparation of All Necessary Documents
1. We will complete all required forms; 2. We will contact your employer (accountant) and jointly prepare the document package for submission; 3. We will schedule a date for a personal visit to the Urząd; 4. We will prepare photocopies and notarized copies of the documents required for submission.
04
Full Support Until Receiving the Residence Card
1. On the day of your visit to the Urząd, a personal specialist will accompany you, acting as your official representative (Pełnomocnik); 2. Throughout the review process, we will contact your employer (accountant) monthly and request the necessary documents for submission (tax payment confirmations, contracts, etc.); 3. We monitor the status of your case daily, inform you about changes, and respond to any summons.
05
Completion of the Process
1. We accompany you on the day of receiving the residence card; 2. We provide a significant discount on all services of our company.
Basic
From 750 zł
Only until the end of April!
(“Including 23% VAT”)
- Legal consultation
- Review of existing documents
- Preparation of a checklist of necessary documents
- Completion of the residence card application
- Electronic submission of documents
- Other services (by agreement)
Full
2300 zł
2500 zł
Only until the end of April!
(“Including 23% VAT”)
- Payment in 2 stages
- Legal consultation
- Preparation of a checklist of necessary documents
- Review and collection of all documents
- Collection and preparation of documents from the employer
- Completion of the residence card application in the MOS system
- Accompaniment for personal submission
- Full control of your case
- Writing ponaglenie (to accelerate case review)
- Filing skarga to the Administrative Court
- Monthly submission of documents
- Free appeal in case of refusal
- Accompaniment on the day of receiving the card
- Electronic submission of documents
- Creation of digital signature Profil Zaufany
- Creation of electronic mailbox E-Doręczenia
Required Documents
It is important to note that each case is considered individually, so additional documents may be required.
EU Long-Term Resident Status – What Is It?
EU long-term resident status is a residence permit in Poland without a fixed time limit, issued by the decision of the voivode. A separate plastic karta pobytu (residence card) is issued: it is valid for 5 years and then renewed as a document, while the status itself remains. This option is chosen by those who want to secure long-term residence in Poland and avoid repeatedly extending temporary cards.
To obtain an EU resident card in Poznań, you need to confirm legal and continuous residence in Poland for at least 5 years immediately prior to the application (some periods are partially counted—for example, studies are often counted at half, so it is important to calculate the residence period correctly). Additionally, authorities check for stable income during the required period, medical insurance, proof of accommodation, and knowledge of Polish at least at level B1 — only documents from the established list are accepted. In Poznań, the application is considered by Wielkopolski Urząd Wojewódzki; the fee for consideration is usually 640 zł, and the production of the card after the decision costs 100 zł.
What Does EU Resident Status Give in Poland?
EU long-term resident status grants the right to live in Poland indefinitely. The decision does not indicate an “expiry date”; only the plastic karta pobytu is renewed: it is issued for 5 years and then renewed upon application, without repeating the entire procedure.
Essentially, it is the next level after temporary residence cards: you close the topic of regular renewals and gain a more stable status for work, family, and life planning in Poland. Another advantage is the ability to move and legalize in another EU country for more than 3 months under rules for long-term residents, provided the destination country’s conditions are met.
It is important to consider the “continuity” of residence. This does not mean you cannot travel abroad, but there are limits on the duration of absences; in some cases, time abroad may still count as maintaining a connection with Poland (e.g., business trips for a Polish employer or exceptional personal circumstances).
In Poznań, the case is considered by Wielkopolski Urząd Wojewódzki. In the application, it is important to show your history of legal residence and provide proof of income, insurance, housing, and language skills so that the inspector clearly understands what is being confirmed and for which period.
How Long Must You Live in Poland for EU Resident Status?
For the EU long-term resident card (zezwolenie na pobyt rezydenta długoterminowego UE), the basic rule is the same: you must live legally and continuously in Poland for at least 5 years immediately before the application.
“Continuously” in the law refers to limits on absences. Within these 5 years, interruptions are allowed, but each absence must not exceed 6 months, and in total, all absences must not exceed 10 months.
There are exceptions where a longer absence may not “break” continuity (e.g., working abroad under a contract with a Polish employer). In Poznań, such cases are considered by Wielkopolski Urząd Wojewódzki.
How Much Income Is Required to Obtain EU Resident Status?
The income requirement consists of two parts.
The first — the quality of income: it must be legal, stable, and regular, and exceed the threshold that gives entitlement to social assistance (kryterium dochodowe w pomocy społecznej).
The second — the period for which the income is verified. In practice, income is assessed dynamically:
2 years prior to the application in some cases (including those related to the Blue Card).
3 years prior to the application in other situations.
List of Required Documents for Applying for the EU Long-Term Resident Card
Below is the basic list of documents for applying for EU long-term resident status in Poland (Karta Rezydenta Długoterminowego UE). In Poznań, applications are considered by Wielkopolski Urząd Wojewódzki at the place of residence.
Completed application for zezwolenie na pobyt rezydenta długoterminowego UE in the current template.
3 recent biometric photographs (for children under 13 — usually 2 photos).
Copy of a valid international passport + original for verification at the office. If a passport is unavailable and cannot be obtained — another document confirming identity may be accepted (depending on the situation).
Document confirming the legal right to the residence address in Poland (e.g., lease agreement or other title). In some cases, the office clarifies that “użyczenie” is not always accepted as a “legal title.”
Proof that you legally resided during the required period and that continuity of residence was maintained. Usually includes copies of decisions and residence cards, visas/stamps, certificates; for absences — documents explaining reasons and duration of interruptions.
Proof of stable and regular income for the required period. Typical evidence includes PIT/UPO, contracts, as well as certificates from the employer showing monthly calculations and actual payments.
Proof of medical insurance in Poland or a document from the insurer confirming coverage for treatment on the territory of the Republic of Poland.
Proof of knowledge of Polish at a minimum level of B1, or alternative official documents (e.g., education in Polish in Poland or abroad — if the document is recognized).
Translations into Polish of all documents issued in a language other than Polish, performed by a sworn translator.
Proof of payment of the state fee for consideration of the application. For EU residents in Poznań, this is usually opłata skarbowa 640 zł, and after a positive decision, the production of the karta pobytu is paid separately (100 zł).
4 Main Differences Between the EU Resident Card and a Standard Residence Card
Stability – EU long-term resident status differs from a temporary card primarily by its stability. The permit is issued for an indefinite period, and the plastic card is valid for 5 years and then renewed as a document — without repeatedly “extending the status” every 1–3 years, as with pobyt czasowy.
Labor Market Freedom – After obtaining EU resident status, you can work in Poland without a separate work permit. That is, you are not dependent on whether the employer prepares additional documents or if employment conditions change.
European Union Mobility – A temporary card legalizes living in Poland, whereas EU resident status additionally opens the right to move to another EU country for more than 3 months and establish residence there under long-term resident rules — provided the destination country’s conditions are met.
Convenience in Everyday Life – When the status is not limited by the voivode’s decision, it is easier to plan leases, loans, long-term contracts, and family matters — without regularly returning to the issue of renewals
Which Documents Are Accepted as Proof of Polish Language Knowledge?
For EU resident status, the requirement for Polish language is confirmed only by documents from a closed list. Official descriptions usually specify accepted options: a certificate at B1 level or higher, as well as documents confirming completion of school or studies conducted in Polish.
It is also noted that the list of accepted proofs is established by the MSWiA ordinance dated 31 May 2023. Among recognized certificates are, for example, ECL and telc (if conditions of the list are met).
Important exception: the Polish language requirement does not apply to minors who are under 16 years old on the date of application.
What challenges may arise during the process of obtaining EU resident status in Poland?
Many perceive the EU resident card as the “next step” after a temporary residence card, but in terms of scrutiny, it is a different procedure. When reviewing a status rezydenta długoterminowego UE, the voivode evaluates not only the current situation but the entire history of legal residence over the years. At this stage, issues may appear that previously did not matter: some periods may not count towards the required 5 years, and absences abroad are assessed according to continuity limits.
A second challenge is the package of supporting documents. For the EU resident, it is not enough to simply show that you are currently employed. You need to meet the income criterion for the required period, confirm insurance, and demonstrate a tytuł prawny (legal title) to the residence. In clarifications, it is specifically emphasized that the absence of a document confirming housing may result in the case not being initiated at all. A common nuance is użyczenie — it is not always recognized as a right to housing, except in specifically listed cases (e.g., certain family relationships).
For this reason, in Poznań, when applying for an EU resident card, it is important to gather a complete residence history without gaps and carefully organize the logic for income, housing, and insurance. When the Wielkopolski Urząd Wojewódzki sees a clear structure of evidence and periods, the inspector has fewer questions about “gaps” in the case.
Assistance in Obtaining the EU Long-Term Resident Card in Poznań
We provide full support for obtaining the EU long-term resident card in Poznań — from the initial assessment to the final decision. The work is not limited to filling out the application: we structure the case so that the Wielkopolski Urząd Wojewódzki inspector immediately sees the logic regarding residence periods, income, insurance, housing, and language documents.
We handle initial applications, repeated submissions, and cases with disputed periods that may affect the 5-year requirement: studies, changes of legal basis, gaps in legalization, long absences, changes in income source, or employment type. In such situations, we prepare the evidentiary base in advance and standardize the documents.
The entire package of documents is organized and coordinated by us:
Conduct a consultation, assess whether your history qualifies for EU resident status, and establish a plan of action.
Prepare a personalized checklist based on your situation and periods of residence.
Review residence periods and legal bases by year, identify risks, and determine what needs to be documented.
Compile proofs of income, insurance, and housing to ensure dates and bases match.
Prepare the application and attachments for submission in Poznań, standardize documents, and organize translations if necessary.
Support the review process: prepare responses to wezwania and submit additional documents upon request.
If processing is delayed, prepare a ponaglenie and follow up with administrative steps.
After a positive decision, accompany the final stage of receiving the karta pobytu (plastic card).
In case of a negative decision, prepare an appeal and justification for the refusal.
EU Resident in Poland with SKILLDOCS Support
SKILLDOCS handles cases for Karta Rezydenta Długoterminowego UE in Poznań: from reviewing residence periods to the voivode’s decision. We analyze residence history by year, calculate which periods count, organize proofs of income, insurance, and housing, and assemble the case to avoid any “gaps” in logic or dates.
Our goal is to make the zezwolenie na pobyt rezydenta długoterminowego UE process clear and manageable for you. If you want to apply for the EU resident card in Poznań — leave a request on the SKILLDOCS website: we will assess your situation and provide a concrete submission plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
A foreigner's stay in Poland is considered continuous if:
- None of the breaks exceeded six months;
- All breaks over a period of five years did not exceed 10 months.
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
Leave your details and receive up-to-date information within 30 minutes.
- SKILLDOCS SP. z O.O.
- KRS: 0000966749
- NIP: 5252904413
