Crossing the borders and stay up to 3 months

In order to cross the Polish border, the EU citizens only need a valid identification card (ID) or passport. They can stay and work in Poland for the first three months only on the basis of the the above document.

Stay beyond 3 months

Those who plan to stay longer than 3 months are obligedto register their stay in the Voivodeship Office(Urząd Wojewódzki) of the region (voivodship) where they intend to reside. The registration has to be done at latest on the next day following the 3 months. Note that in order to register your stay you will need to first make an appointment via electronic system which may require additional time.

The registration procedure is free-of-charge. You need to submit the following documents:

• an application form,
• ID or passport,
• 4 photos,
• in case of employment or scholarship - employment contract / scholarship agreement
• in case of study including PhD education: a confirmation from the higher education institution, health insurance confirmation, and proof of having sufficient financial resources for the stay in Poland (PLN 776 monthly for persons living in Poland alone or PLN 600 monthly for each family member - these are net amounts excluding the costs of acommodation).

Remember:

• all the submitted documents have to be in Polish so you may need to have certain documents translated by a certified translator,
• to make copies of some of the submitted documents as the original ones will only serve for inspection.

The document confirming the registration is a plastic card valid for an indefinite period.

Family members of the EU citizens in the scope of the immigration procedures are the following persons if they enter with or join the EU citizen in Poland:

• spouses of the EU citizens,
• children of up to 21 years of age being financially dependent, including spouse's children,
• parents being financially dependent, including spouse's parents

Entry and stay up to 3 months

In order to enter Poland the family member needs a valid travel document (passport) and a visa (except for visa-free movement rule) or a residence card issued by other EU country.

Stays exceeding 3 months

For stays longer than 3 months, family members have to apply for a residence permit for a family member at latest on the next day following the 3 months.

The residence permit is issued by the Voivodeship Office competent for the place of residence and the procedure is free-of-charge. Note that you need first to make an appointment for the residence card application which may require some waiting time.

The following documents are required:

• an application form,
• the registration confirmation of the EU citizen,
• travel document (passport),
• 4 photographs
• docucments confirming family ties: marriage certificates, children's birth certificates and other documents confirming that they are financially dependent.

Remember:

• all the submitted documents have to be in Polish so you may need to have certain documents translated by a certified translator,
• to make copies of some of the submitted documents as the original ones will only serve for inspection

The residence permit for the family members is issued within 6 months and is valid for 5 years.