EU Long-Term Residency in Poland
Permanent residency in Poland, or EU long-term residency, is for those who came to Poland based on a work permit and have been living and working in Poland for five years. If you are working in Poland and have completed five years, then you can apply for permanent residency in Poland (Zezwolenie na pobyt rezydenta długoterminowego UE). If you don’t know about the basic requirements and the documents you need to submit to get your permanent residency in Poland, don’t worry; we will explain everything simply and easily.
Two Basic Requirements
In order to apply for a long-term residency permit, which is also called a PR, you have to complete two main basic requirements.
- You have completed five years of your legal stay in the Republic of Poland.
- You have properly paid the taxes during this period.
Author Note for you: The two are basic requirements of permanent residency, and if you fulfill these two requirements, you can start your process, but you also need other documents that we are going to discuss in brief one by one here.
Complete Requirement Document
These are the documents that you have to gather in one file when applying for long-term residency in Poland. Here’s what you’ll need:
1. Proof of Polish Language Proficiency
You need to complete the B1 level in the Polish language to apply for long-term residency in Poland as a worker. There are schools designed by the Polish government where you can enroll and take this certificate. E.g., a diploma of one year in gardening, plantation, etc.
2. Evidence of Stable Income
You have to submit a document that shows that you have a stable income during this time. That includes your work contracts or other evidence of income, along with tax-related documents like income tax returns from the tax office or Urząd Skarbowy in your local area.
Author Advice Regarding these Documents
If you are still confused about these documents, then we can give you the title of these documents for your convenience. For instance, you may need PIT 11, PIT 11A, PIT 37, and PIT 40 from the tax office or Urząd Skarbowy. You will submit copies of these documents during with your applicaiton, and originals should be brought for confirmation during your in-person visit to the immigration office after making an appointment.
3. Your Health Insurance
Submit the health insurance that your work offers you, e.g., documents such as a current ZUS RCA declaration or an insurance policy with confirmation of premium payment. You can also take this form at the local tax office or Urzad Skarbowy.
Author advice regarding Insurance: If you are looking for reliable and affordable insurance, then we have listed five insurances for you that you can consider.Find health and travel insurance in Poland
4. Social Security Contributions
This document you get from ZUS includes your social security contributions paid over the last three years.
It can contain all the information, e.g., your pension, sickness, accident, health insurance, and any periods of unpaid leave or sick leave, etc.
5. Proof of a 5-Year Legal Stay in Poland
Attach all the copies of your visa and TRC that you got in the past with your passport because your passport will show how long you have been out of the country through your entry and your exact stamp. So if you have any stamps on your passport from the last five years, then you should attach them to your file. Yes, you will submit your passport with all pages during file submission, but this is only needed when you have an old passport where you have entries and an exact stamp. You can submit it to show your regular stay in Poland without interference.
6. House Contract or Leasing Agreement
Submit your house contract or any other leasing agreement that you get from the owner. If not, then prepare it because you will need it. It is best practice to prepare the zamaldawia from the office with the help of the homeowner.
7. Information on a longer stay out of Poland
During your five-year stay, if you stay outside Poland for more than six months during one trip or if your total stays exceed ten months, then you need to submit documents that explain the reason for this long stay.
8. In the case of the Dependent
If you have family and children with you in Poland, then you have to submit a declaration regarding the number of individuals currently dependent on you, referencing Article 233 § 1 of the Penal Code. The dependents can be your wife, children, if any, etc.
Submit Long-Term Residency Application
When you have all the documents with you, make an appointment online, pay the fee, and get your fingers at the immigration office. The application process and document requirements are the same as those you submit for a temporary residence permit or a TRC, e.g., applications, fees, photos, etc. However, you have to attach these additional documents that we explained to you. Read in detail about the application process and its steps.
Author Note for you: If you want to learn about the appointment and submission process and options, then we suggest you go through the article on the appointment process in Poland.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the application fee for my long-term residency in Poland?
The application fee for long-term residency in Poland is 640 PLN, which you have to pay before you go to the immigration office for file submission.
How long does it take to receive a decision for Poland long-term residency?
It’s difficult to provide an exact timeframe for receiving a decision for Poland long-term residency based on work in Poland, but generally, it takes 6 to 8 months to receive your decision.
What is a fixed and regular income for long term residence permit applications in Poland?
Fixed and regular income refers to consistent amounts of money obtained on a regular basis, meeting the minimum required threshold for specific types of residence permits. In Poland, if you’re applying alone, this minimum amount is PLN 776 net per month, while for family members, it’s at least PLN 600 net per month.
Can I receive a negative decision for Poland long-term residency based on a work permit?
While there is a possibility of receiving a negative decision, if you meet the eligibility criteria for Poland permanent residency (PR) based on a work permit and have submitted all required documents, the likelihood of a positive decision is high. However, immigration offices retain the right to issue any decision. In cases where all requirements are met, there will be a less chances to get negative decision. If still get negative decision you have to right to appeal. Learn about appeal process in Poland.
What is the validity for a EU long-term residence permit In Poland?
This residence permit is valid for indefinite period (no time limit). However, the residence card issued by the immigration office is typically valid for 5 years. Don’t worry you can apply for renewal of the card before its expiry, instead of submitting a new application.
Can students apply for Permanent Residency in Poland?
Yes, students who have completed their studies in Poland and fulfilled all the necessary requirements can apply for permanent residency (PR) or an EU long-term residence permit. However, it’s important to note that the duration of your studies counts differently compared to someone who is employed.
For example, if you study for five years in Poland and wish to apply for permanent residency, your time count will be considered as 2.5 years, or two and a half years, according to Polish law. Similarly, if you study for four years, your time count for immigration purposes for permanent residency will be 2 years.
Does permanent residency or permanent residence card have an expiry date?
Permanent residency is granted for an indefinite period, meaning there is no time limit. However, the permanent residence card does have an expiry date, typically for five years. You can easily renew it without any issue in the future just like polish people do after 10 years.
What are the language requirements for Poland long-term EU residence permit?
The language requirement for you to get a Poland’s long-term EU residence permit is at least B1 level proficiency. To be eligible, you must take classes form designated institute by Polish government and get this certificate.
Can I travel if I submit my long term residency application?
When you submit your PR file in Poland, you have to stay in Poland until you receive your decision. Keep in mind that the immigration office may request additional documents later on. If you’re unable to provide these documents, it could be a chance to get a negative decision. Therefore, it’s advisable to stay within the territory of Poland until you receive your decision.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes. If you want to know the exact information regarding long-term residency in Poland, we encourage you to check the official sources.
If you have any questions to ask, you are welcome to leave a comment. We will answer you as soon as possible as we are always interested to guide our readers.
