Residence permit (Karta Pobytu) for foreigners in Poland
Residence Permit in Poland
A residence permit in Poland is a long-term stay authorization that allows a foreigner to legally reside in the territory of the Republic of Poland and other EU countries without the need for a visa. This document not only simplifies border crossing but also opens up additional opportunities for international mobility.
What Types of Residence Cards Exist in Poland?
In Poland, several types of residence permits are available, each issued depending on the purpose and length of stay:
Temporary Residence Card (Karta Czasowego Pobytu) – intended for foreigners who wish to stay in Poland for more than 3 months for reasons such as work, studies, family reunification, business activity, and others. It is valid for a period of 1 to 3 years and can be extended.
Permanent Residence Card (Karta Stałego Pobytu) – issued to individuals of Polish origin, spouses of Polish citizens, as well as foreigners who have legally resided in Poland for several years. It is granted for an indefinite period and provides almost the same rights as Polish citizens, including access to public programs.
EU Long-Term Resident Card (Karta Rezydenta Długoterminowego UE) – available to foreigners who have legally and continuously resided in Poland for at least 5 years. This status not only allows unlimited stay in Poland but also significantly facilitates relocation and legalization in other European Union countries.
There are also specialized forms of residence permits, such as the EU Blue Card (Niebieska Karta UE) for highly qualified professionals. It is issued on the basis of an employment contract with a salary of no less than PLN 10,053.60 gross per month (1st quarter of 2025) and provides simplified access to long-term residence and employment across EU countries.
Each type of residence card has its own legal requirements, application procedures, and set of necessary documents. A mistake at any stage may result in refusal or considerable delays in obtaining legal status.
What is a Karta Pobytu (TRC)?
A Karta Pobytu is an official Polish document in the form of a plastic ID card that grants the right to legally stay in the territory of Poland and EU countries. It simultaneously serves as identification for the foreigner, confirms their legal stay, and, in the case of employment, allows for official work activity in Poland.
Reasons for applying for a residence permit
The grounds for applying for and obtaining a residence card in Poland may include the following factors:
- The foreigner is the owner of an opened or acquired business operating in the territory of Poland;
- The applicant is engaged in employment in one of the Polish organizations, confirmed by a signed contract with the employer;
- The foreigner is studying at one of the higher education institutions in Poland or is learning the Polish language in the country;
- After arriving in the country, the foreigner entered into a marriage with a Polish citizen or a foreign citizen with a valid Polish permanent residence permit (stały pobyt).
All of the above-mentioned grounds may also serve as arguments when applying for the extension of a residence card in Poland. After a temporary residence permit in Poland has been issued to the applicant, the foreigner has the right to apply for a document with an unlimited validity period – the EU long-term resident card (karta pobytu rezydenta długoterminowego UE).
Documents required for a residence card (TRC)
- Identifying documents: international passport;
- Color photographs (four pieces) sized 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm;
- Application requesting a residence permit in Poland (submitted in three copies: 1 original + 2 copies);
- Justification for the request, which will serve as the basis for issuing a residence card in Poland (e.g., załącznik nr 1);
- Proof of actual place of residence (property ownership documents or rental agreement);
- Health insurance policy covering a minimum amount of 30,000 PLN;
- Proof of financial means or regular income (certificate from the workplace, bank statement, etc.).
Residence card processing time in Poland
According to the official regulations, the processing time for reviewing the application and analyzing the documents to obtain a residence permit in Poland is up to three months, with the right to extend it for every subsequent three months. In practice, the processing time of the case — from the moment of submitting the application to receiving the residence card for foreigners — takes from two to four months, which is the average waiting period for receiving the decision (decyzja).
To speed up the process, it is necessary to establish effective communication with the Voivodeship Office (Urząd) and respond promptly to the inspector’s requests for additional documents. Important: the foreigner has legal grounds for staying in Poland from the date of submitting the application (during the entire consideration period).
Red stamp (seal) for the karta pobytu (TRC)
The red stamp is confirmation that your documents for the residence card have been accepted and that a complete set has been submitted for the beginning of the consideration of your residence card case.
It is placed in the foreigner’s international passport and grants the right to stay in Poland until the moment of receiving the decision.
At the same time, if you decide to travel to your country of origin, in order to return to Poland you will need to obtain a visa or use the visa-free regime (if you have a biometric passport).
The main difficulty lies in preparing a complete and correct set of documents both for the applicant and the employer.
Foreigners often face problems when choosing the submission date or due to the lack of necessary documents from the employer. In such cases, the company ONE PLUS is ready to promptly prepare and submit all documents and achieve a quick positive result.
Please note: during the consideration of your residence card application, your identity will be verified by the relevant authorities — the Border Guard, the Police, and the Internal Security Agency.
Why does a foreigner need the red stamp?
The red stamp placed in the passport by a Voivodeship Office employee means that the submitted set of documents for the residence card is complete and contains no formal errors.
In every Voivodeship Office on the territory of Poland, you may be asked to present a residence card, visa, or red stamp in order to use a particular service (for example: driver’s license replacement, obtaining registration (meldunek), car registration).
Quite often, employers require the presentation of the red stamp when hiring a foreigner.
Residence permit in 2025 and its advantages
A residence permit in Poland is valid for the period specified in it and, unlike a visa, does not limit the holder in the number of border crossings of Poland or the duration of stay within its territory during the defined period. Also, the Polish residence card serves as a basis for traveling to all countries of the European Union (the stay period must not exceed 90 days per period).
The residence card allows a foreign person to use all social benefits of the country, for example:
- Purchase and register a car;
- Be officially employed in Polish companies;
- Receive education, including free education — in public educational institutions;
- Use the possibilities of the banking system, in particular, receive loans and mortgages;
- Receive medical care in public institutions;
- Open a business and conduct entrepreneurial activity.
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