EU Long-Term Residence Permit Poland – Requirements, Procedure, Fees

The EU long-term residence permit in Poland offers a secure legal status for foreigners who have been living in the country for several years. This permit allows for indefinite stay, freedom to work without additional documents, and travel across the Schengen Area — with some limitations.

The long-term EU resident's residence permit allows non-EU foreigners to reside in Poland permanently. While the permit is issued indefinitely, the residence card (physical document) must be replaced every 5 years.

This permit also gives the right to:

• 🛠 Work in Poland without additional permits
• ✈ Travel within the Schengen zone up to 90 days in any 180-day period

To work or stay longer in another EU country, you must comply with that country’s local immigration laws.

To be eligible, a foreigner must meet all of the following:

1. 📆 Legally and continuously reside in Poland for 5 years
2. 💼 Have stable income for the last 3 years
3. (2 years for Blue Card holders)
4. 🏥 Hold valid health insurance
5. 🏠 Have legal title to housing
6. 📋 Provide a temporary registration or a certificate proving it is impossible
7. 🗣 Provide a B1-level Polish language certificate (recognized list only)

When applying at the local voivodeship office, the following must be submitted:

• 📝 2 completed application forms (in Polish)
• 📖 Original passport + 2 photocopies of all pages
• 📸 4 biometric photos
• 🧾 Proof of 5 years legal and uninterrupted stay (e.g., visa stamps)
• 💼 Employment contracts, PIT-37/11 tax forms (last 3 years)
• 🏥 ZUS RCA declarations (for insurance)
• 🏡 Legal housing title (rent contracts from friends/family are not valid unless they’re direct relatives)
• 🗣 Official B1 Polish language certificate
• 💳 Proof of stamp duty payment

💰 Application fee: 640 PLN
💳 Residence card issuance fee (after approval): 100 PLN

Fees can be paid at the voivodeship office or by bank transfer. If your application is rejected, you may apply for a refund of the stamp duty.

🛂 The permit is valid indefinitely
📅 The residence card must be renewed every 5 years
📌 Apply for renewal 30 days before the current card expires

🕒 Legally, the procedure should take no longer than 3 months. In practice, processing time depends on the region and case complexity.

Delays must be officially explained by the voivodeship.

In practice process time may reach even to 12 months. Submit your case in advance!

If your application is rejected:

• 📮 You can appeal to the Head of the Office for Foreigners in Warsaw within 14 days
• ⚖ You can then file a court complaint within 30 days if needed
• ⚠ Important: Filing a court complaint does not legalize your stay. If your current permit has expired, you must leave Poland or have another legal basis.

You cannot apply for the long-term EU residence permit if:

• You're staying illegally, or on a humanitarian/Schengen visa
• You're in Poland for studies or short-term vocational training
• You are a posted worker or providing cross-border services
• You are in detention or facing deportation
• You are outside Poland when applying
• You haven't submitted fingerprints

❌ A permit may be refused or withdrawn if:

• You fail to meet the requirements
• Your stay threatens public safety or order
• You leave Poland for 6+ years or the EU for 12–24 months
• You gain long-term EU status in another country
• You acquire Polish citizenship (permit expires automatically)

At Residence Angels, we help foreigners:

• ✅ Evaluate their eligibility
• ✅ Collect required documentation
• ✅ Prepare for the Polish language exam
• ✅ Submit applications and track progress

Contact us today to secure your legal stay in Poland for the long term.