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Karta pobytu stałego

Permanent Residence and Karta Polaka in Poland

Permanent residence (zezwolenie na pobyt stały) is an indefinite permit to live in Poland. The main path is after continuous legal residence (typically 3 to 5 years depending on the grounds), or via Karta Polaka, marriage to a Polish citizen, or Polish origin. The stamp duty for the permit itself is 640 zł; the residence card is issued separately.

Grounds for permanent residence

Four paths to indefinite status

Zezwolenie na pobyt stały is issued on different grounds — they determine the required period of continuous stay and the set of documents.

Nieprzerwany pobyt

Continuous residence

The general grounds — continuous legal residence in Poland based on temporary residence (usually from 5 years). Breaks must not exceed 6 months per year and 10 months in total.

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Karta Polaka

Via Karta Polaka

Holders of a valid Karta Polaka can apply for permanent residence right after moving to Poland with the intention to stay permanently, without a long waiting period.

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Małżeństwo

Via marriage to a Polish citizen

After 3 years of marriage to a Polish citizen and 2 years of continuous residence in Poland on temporary residence grounds — a shortened waiting period.

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Pochodzenie polskie

Via Polish origin

If at least one of your parents or grandparents was a Polish citizen or of Polish origin — a separate, simplified path.

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Documents and fees

What you need for each type of grounds

All documents in a foreign language must be submitted with a sworn translation into Polish. Civil status records (marriage, birth) from abroad require an apostille or certification by a Polish consul. Data is current as of the official portals przybysz.duw.pl and gov.pl/web/udsc.

01

Continuous residence

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  • International passport and a copy of the pages with your photo and visa/stamps
  • Proof of continuous legal residence for the required period (residence cards for all years)
  • Income certificate and a certificate of no criminal record
  • Proof of integration: knowledge of Polish, place of residence, ties to Poland
  • Completed application, filed in person no later than the last day of legal stay
  • Stamp duty (opłata skarbowa) — 640 zł
  • Residence card fee — 50–100 zł (depending on the filing date)
02

Via Karta Polaka

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  • Valid Karta Polaka
  • International passport, photo, completed application
  • Declaration of intent to reside permanently in Poland
  • Proof of accommodation in Poland
  • Stamp duty (opłata skarbowa) — 640 zł
  • Residence card fee — 50–100 zł
03

Via marriage to a Polish citizen

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  • Marriage certificate — with an apostille and sworn translation if issued abroad
  • Proof of at least 3 years of marriage and 2 years of continuous residence in Poland on temporary residence grounds
  • Documents of the spouse — a Polish citizen — confirming citizenship
  • Stamp duty (opłata skarbowa) — 640 zł
  • Residence card fee — 50–100 zł
04

Via Polish origin

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  • Documents proving Polish origin of at least one parent or grandparent
  • Archival civil status records — with an apostille and sworn translation
  • International passport, photo, completed application
  • Stamp duty (opłata skarbowa) — 640 zł
  • Residence card fee — 50–100 zł
05

After filing: fingerprints and collecting the card

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  • An in-person visit to the Wydział Spraw Obywatelskich i Cudzoziemców (pl. Powstańców Warszawy 1, Wrocław) to submit fingerprints
  • If filed on time without formal deficiencies, your stay is considered legal until a decision is issued
  • The finished residence card can only be collected in person, after an SMS/notification that it's ready
  • Appointments for filing and collection — via rezerwacje.duw.pl and kartypobytu.duw.pl

Since April 27, 2026, applications are filed only electronically via the new MOS portal (mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl). We verify the current requirements before every consultation, since procedures change periodically.

Timeline calculator

How long the review will roughly take

The timeline depends on the voivodeship, the type of status, and the office's workload. This is only an estimate — we'll confirm the exact timeline after reviewing your documents.

Status type
Voivodeship
Document set
Estimated timeline
120 days

This estimate reflects average Urząd Wojewódzki timelines and is not a guarantee of the exact review period.

If your case is delayed

Acceleration and appeals

We also take on cases already filed — including those filed without us.

Process acceleration (Ponaglenie)

If the office exceeds the statutory review period, we file a complaint about inaction (ponaglenie) and push for a substantive response.

How it works →

Appealing a rejection

We analyze the reason for rejection and prepare an appeal to a higher authority or administrative court, respecting filing deadlines.

File an appeal →
Start the process

Free consultation about your situation

Describe your purpose of stay — we'll select the right status, list the required documents, and quote a final turnkey price.

Name
Phone
+48
Purpose of stay