🏛️ Urząd wojewódzki / MOS

Permanent residence and EU long-term resident

These are two different indefinite residence titles. The EU long-term resident permit is the standard route after 5 years of continuous legal stay — it requires stable income, health insurance and an official Polish language certificate at B1 level. The permanent residence permit (pobyt stały) is for specific groups: Karta Polaka holders, people of Polish origin, and spouses of Polish citizens (at least 3 years of marriage and 2 years of continuous stay). From 27 April 2026 both applications are filed exclusively electronically in the MOS system — the stamp duty is 640 zł and the residence card costs 100 zł.

Service passportUpdated: 30.07.2026.

Cost

640 zł + 100 zł card (under 16 — 50 zł)

Duration

Usually several months, depending on the voivodeship

Deadline

File no later than your last day of legal stay

Where

mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl (online only from 27.04.2026)

Open the official service →

✓ Information verified: 2026-07-30 Report an error

Who this applies to

Foreigners planning to settle in Poland for good. EU resident: 5 years of continuous legal stay (studies count as half), stable and regular income over the required period, health insurance, and certified Polish — from July 2026 only the official B1 certificate is accepted; post-secondary school diplomas no longer suffice. Pobyt stały: Karta Polaka, Polish origin, marriage to a Polish citizen, refugee status in specific situations. Both permits grant an indefinite right to live and work in Poland; only the card needs replacing — every 10 years for permanent residence, every 5 for residents.

Step by step

Gather your evidence and pay the 640 zł

For resident status prepare documents proving 5 years of stay, income (PIT returns, contracts), insurance and the B1 certificate; for pobyt stały — the Karta Polaka, marriage certificate or proof of origin. Pay the 640 zł stamp duty upfront — without it the voivode will demand payment and then return your application.

File the application in the MOS system

At mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl log in with a Trusted Profile or qualified signature, fill in the application (drafts can be saved) and sign it personally — a proxy cannot do it for you. Once filed correctly, the system generates a certificate and your stay is legal until the final decision.

Appearance, decision and card collection

When summoned by the voivode you appear with original documents and give fingerprints. After a positive decision you have 30 days to apply for the residence card (100 zł, 50 zł for children under 16); you collect the card in person at the voivodeship office.

Common mistakes

Counting on a post-secondary school diploma as proof of language — from July 2026 only the official B1 certificate is accepted.

Breaks in stay longer than allowed — extended absences from Poland interrupt the 5-year clock required for resident status.

Mailing a paper application after 27 April 2026 — such applications aren't processed regardless of the posting date.

Frequently asked questions

How does pobyt stały differ from EU resident status?

Both grant indefinite residence in Poland, but EU long-term resident status additionally makes settling in other EU countries easier. Pobyt stały is available sooner, but only to specific groups — mainly people with Polish roots and spouses of Polish citizens.

Does income from a business count?

Yes — for resident status what matters is a stable, regular source of income, including your own business. The office assesses it based on PIT returns and accounting documents from the required period before filing.

Official sources

Verified against official sources · 30.07.2026.