Do you want to move to Poland with the purpose of obtaining permanent residence? Our immigration lawyers can help you through the process based on the country you relocate from.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Residence permit types | Temporary residence permit, long-term residence permit for EU citizens, permanent residence permit |
Time needed to obtain the temporary residence permit | A few months |
Temporary residence permit validity | Maximum 3 years |
| Documents for obtaining temporary residence | Standard application form, recent photos, a valid passport, stamp duty payment receipt, other documents based on the reason for immigration. |
| Mandatory registrations with state authorities (i.e. with the population/municipality register) | Registration with Council District Offices within 30 days for EU citizens and 4 days for non-EU citizens |
| Dependents can join the temporary permit holder | No, family members need to apply for separate residence permit |
| Temporary or permanent residency for investment purposes | No |
| Minimum temporary residence before applying for permanent residence | Permanent residence can be obtained after living in Poland between 1 and 10 years, depending on the status of the foreign citizen |
| Documents for obtaining permanent residence | Copies after the residence permit, recent photos, proof of payment of the stamp duty |
| Naturalization requirements | Living in Poland for a minimum period of time, or by getting married to a Polish citizen |
| Citizenship after permanent residence | Living in Poland for at least 3 years based on a permanent residence permit |
| Possibility to acquire permanent residency through marriage visa (YES/NO) | Yes, provided the foreign citizen is married to a Polish national for 3 years and has lived in Poland for 2 years. |
Sponsorship requirements for family members (if any) | No, the Polish resident is not required to act as sponsor for family members. |
Possibility to obtain Polish residency through employment | Yes, employment can be used to obtain Polish residency. |
| Special requirements by country of origin (if any) | No, Poland does not have special conditions for certain nationalities. |
| Entry visa requirement before entering Poland (YES/NO) | Yes, for non-EU citizens entering Poland for the first time |
| Access to Polish residency through an EU Blue Card | Yes, residency can be acquired through the Blue Card. |
| Polish language requirements when applying for residency (YES/NO) | No |
| Easiest way to obtain permanent residency | Temporary residency based on business creation and/or employment |
| Best cities to live in Poland | – Warsaw; – Krakow; – Poznan; – Gdansk, etc. |
| Benefits of permanent residence in Poland | – employment benefits; – access to healthcare; – access to education; – possibility to apply for tax deductions. |
| Support in applying for permanent residency (YES/NO) | Yes, we are at the service of those who want to apply for Polish permanent residence. |
Table of Contents
How long do I need to reside in Poland to obtain permanent residency?
The minimum stay period is 5 years.
The application can be made in person with the Governor’s Office in the region where the person lives, or it can be made on an online platform developed by the Office for Foreigners.
Is there a direct Polish permanent residency pathway?
No, Poland does not have any program to enable direct permanent residency at the level of 2026.
What are the requirements to obtain permanent residence in Poland as an EU citizen?
Coming from an EU member state, the procedure for obtaining permanent residency implies moving to Poland and registering your stay with the closest voivodeship. However, it is important to note that the minimum duration of stay of 5 years remains in place.
The only difference between an EU and non-EU person immigrating to Poland is the fact that the EU national is not required to relocate based on a visa issued for a specific reason.
What documents do I need to provide to obtain residency in Poland as an EU citizen?
EU nationals who wish to apply for a residency permit in Poland in 2026 should submit the following documentation:
- application (one original and three photocopies);
- a copy of a valid travel document or another identification document;
- confirmation for registering for temporary stay;
- documents or written statements that the abovementioned conditions are observed.
In addition to the mentioned documents, employees, entrepreneurs, students, spouses and other family members must submit additional documentation.
What are the main routes to obtain Polish permanent residency in 2026 as a non-EU national?
You can choose between:
- employment: you first need to secure an employment contract and obtain a work permit;
- family reunification: this option is available if you have family members who are already settled in Poland or if you marry a Polish citizen;
- business ownership: you can also immigrate to Poland and start your own business, which will enable you to settle here.
IMPORTANT: Please note that no matter the Polish immigration pathway you will choose, you will first be issued a temporary residence permit with a validity of 2 or 3 years, which must be renewed.
Is residency by investment available in Poland?
Yes, for non-EU citizens who want to relocate to Poland and obtain permanent residency, there is the Golden Visa Scheme which aims at attracting investors who can make a significant contribution to the country’s economy.
The applicant can obtain residency by investment by injecting capital into a Polish company. There is also the possibility of creating a new venture. The requirement to obtain residency this way is for the business owner to prove the company will generate a minimum of 15,000 per year. We can also help you apply for Polish citizenship by investment.
We can guide you through applying for a residence permit in Poland. You can also watch our video below:
What is the easiest way of obtaining Poland permanent residency?
Poland is one of the European countries to offer permanent residency quite easily in 2026. The conditions, no matter the way you have relocated here, are similar for those who have come to work, start a business, or through marriage, as all they need to do is submit evidence of their stay here for the minimum period required by law.
Does the Polish permanent resident status expire?
No, it does not. However, the residence card you will be issued has a validity of 10 years, so it must be renewed.
Do you offer relocation support in other countries?
Our lawyers can offer detailed information on the residence permit in Poland. In case you want to obtain the residence permit for Slovakia, we can put you in contact with our partners – LawyersSlovakia.com.
In Italy, dependents can’t join the temporary permit holder; only those who renew their residency in Italy can bring their family members in certain situations.
We can also help foreigners obtain residency in other countries, such as Argentina, where it takes 45 days to obtain a residence permit, compared to Poland, where the timeframe is a few months.
For more information on how to apply for a permanent residence permit in Poland or a temporary one, you can refer to our team of Poland immigration lawyers, specialized in numerous branches of immigration law.
