Moving to Poland from THE uk

British citizens can stay in Poland and other Schengen area countries for a total of up to 90 days in any 180-day period under the visa-free movement. They can travel to Poland using British passport only. Stays longer than 90 days require obtaining a national type D visa at the Polish Embassy in London. This is applicable after October 1, 2021.

Non-EU citizens can enter Poland visa-free only if their passports are eligible for this arrangement. For instance, citizens from the following countries can enter Poland without a visa:

While 99% of travelers with valid documents enter Poland successfully, border guards may deny entry if you have:

• Unpaid fines in Poland that led to court proceedings.
• An active deportation record from any Schengen country.
• Expired '90 days' limit in the Schengen area.
• Insufficient documentation regarding the purpose of stay.

Important: Obtaining a visa is a prerequisite, but it does not guarantee entry. According to our 2025 case studies, having a printed 'Border Pack' (contract, insurance, return booking) reduces inspection time by an average of 15 minutes.

Quick Answer: Your funds must cover the cost of stay, return travel, and accommodation.
Key Financial Benchmarks:

• Principal Applicant: 1010 PLN for every month of stay.
• Family Dependants: 823 PLN per person for every month of stay.
• Return Ticket Fund: 2,500 PLN per person (fixed reserve for travel back).
• Accommodation: You must show funds covering the entire rent amount for the planned period.

Automatic Approval: If your monthly salary (Netto) exceeds these combined amounts, you are automatically considered financially compliant by default. Source: Ministry of Family and Social Policy / UdSC 2026 Guidelines.

When arriving in Poland from the UK with the intention to stay beyond the 90-day visa-free limit, it's necessary to apply for a temporary residence permit. This permit should be based on your specific purpose of stay, such as work, business, study, family relations, or other temporary reasons. Obtaining a residence permit is a crucial step for UK citizens planning to move to Poland, especially since the UK is no longer a part of the EU.

While UK citizens are warmly welcomed in Poland, they are subject to non-EU immigration rules following Brexit. This means that for stays longer than 90 days, UK nationals must follow the standard procedure for obtaining the appropriate residence permit, similar to other non-EU citizens. It's important to start this process well in advance of the expiry of the 90-day period to ensure compliance with Polish immigration laws.

When preparing for your stay in Poland, it's essential to begin collecting the necessary documents well in advance, especially since some documents, like a letter from a university dean's office or a tax statement from the tax office, may take time to obtain. The specific set of required documents can vary depending on the type of application and city where you apply for a residence permit in Poland.

The detailed list of required documents is available on the website of the local immigration office. It's important to refer to this list to ensure you gather all the necessary paperwork according to your purpose of stay and the specific requirements of the city where you're applying.

For personalized assistance and to receive the exact list of documents tailored to your situation, we encourage you to start cooperating with us. You can reach out to our sales manager at the contact number provided below for further guidance and support throughout the process of obtaining your residence permit in Poland.

1. Registration of Appointment for residence permit application

We suggest booking an appointment before starting to collect the documents, as this will ensure you have enough time to gather all the necessary documents. Typically, there is a waiting period between the appointment registration and the actual appointment date, ranging from 1 to 4 months. In Warsaw, the wait is about 45 days, in Szczecin it's around 30 days, and in Poznań, it's between 14 to 30 days, among others. Some Immigration Offices, such as those in Katowice or Opole, do not offer appointment registration. Instead, individuals submit their documents by post and later wait for an invitation for appointments. Remember that from the moment you apply for a residence permit, you are legally residing in Poland.

2. Submission of residence permit application

When you have collected all the necessary documents, we recommend submitting the complete package on the date of your appointment. It is important not to rely on the inspector to advise you about any missing documents. Inspectors, being human, can easily overlook informing you about such details. The responsibility for ensuring that your residence permit application is complete and accurate rests entirely with you. It's crucial to be thorough and proactive in managing your application to avoid any delays or complications in the process.

3. Police and Border Guard verification

They must check your place of living and work. They responsible to verify the genuity of your stay in Poland. Police comes to your address to check if you are living there. The Border police will check if your work place follows the rules of legal employment.

4. Acceleration of procedure

Speeding up your residence permit application process might seem like a standard procedure, but it's actually achievable when certain criteria are met. Your application must be thorough and impeccable, fulfilling all necessary requirements. Moreover, you need to convincingly explain why your application should be prioritized over thousands of others. Our office can assist you in preparing effective motivational letters and in monitoring your application's progress.

To understand how to immigrate to Poland, British citizens holding a biometric passport can initially enter Poland as tourists for up to 90 days. For longer stays, it’s crucial to establish a purpose of stay lasting at least three months, as stated by official guidelines, although in practice, a longer duration such as three years is recommended for obtaining a residence permit. If you're looking to emigrate to Poland from the UK, you should explore options like employment, starting a business, enrolling in a Polish educational institution, or establishing family connections. Understanding how to move to Poland from the UK requires preparing documentation to meet these conditions. Moving from the UK to Poland also involves considering visa requirements for stays beyond the 90-day tourist period. British citizens frequently ask, can you move to Poland from the UK, and the answer depends on satisfying residency and visa requirements. For work-based immigration, obtaining a job offer from a Polish employer simplifies the process. If your intention is to move to Poland for studies, enrolling in a Polish university is essential for student visa eligibility. Setting up a business is another viable pathway if you aim to establish long-term residence after moving from the UK to Poland. Exploring family reunification can also be an effective route for those seeking to emigrate to Poland from the UK with a clear and valid purpose of stay.

Following Brexit, British nationals residing in Poland are subject to similar conditions as most non-EU citizens. If a UK citizen wishes to pursue employment in Poland and doesn't fall into categories exempt from work permits (such as students, graduates, or permanent residents in Poland), they must obtain this permission. The employer is required to approach the Immigration Office and submit all necessary documents for the UK citizen. Typically, securing a work permit in Poland can take up to three months.

To obtain a residence permit in Poland, you need to have an established entity within the country. This can be achieved either by being employed by a Polish company or by setting up your own business in Poland, such as a sole proprietorship. If you are moving to Poland from the UK and are currently working for a UK-based company, you should explore options for working in Poland as a freelancer. There are specific guidelines and requirements for this, which are detailed in our article Poland Digital Nomad Visa.

In December last year, I undertook this process, and my experience may be unique since I am married to a Polish woman. The Polish embassies in London and Kraków informed me via email that my visa was sufficient to live and work in Poland. However, this turned out to be incorrect; I also needed a Work Permit. I applied for it in February, and my appointment to submit my documents is scheduled for August 1st. I was informed that it might take an additional six months to receive the actual permit. Fortunately, I have found a company willing to wait for me as long as necessary. Nonetheless, I strongly suggest initiating the permit application before relocating. It's important to show how you will support your girlfriend throughout this process. I realized the need for a Work Permit only during the employment offer stage, as I initially believed my visa was adequate and hence stated that I had the right to work in Poland. Securing a job offer might be challenging without the permit first, although it's not required for the application. I send you all my best wishes.

I'm British and have been living in Poland for about 8 years now. My social circle is predominantly Polish, I'm part of a Polish band, and I'm even in a relationship with a Polish person. The idea that Polish people generally despise the English is grossly mistaken. While there may be a very small group that holds such views, to say that we are widely disliked is an absurd and false claim. My experiences have been overwhelmingly positive and filled with affection.
Indeed, all of my friends are Polish. I own an English language school, but interestingly, none of my friends are or have been my students. Some of my friendships started through connections with my students' acquaintances who shared similar interests, leading to strong and meaningful relationships. I haven't faced any hostility about Brexit, especially since I was opposed to it. It's puzzling to think that someone would face abuse for that, unless they're interacting with the wrong crowd or there's some personal issue at play.
It's important to avoid making broad generalizations about Polish people. They are diverse, just like us Brits, with varied opinions and preferences. Our common interests are mostly in chemistry, biology, philosophy, music, dance, and a shared skepticism of organized religion.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Visa-free travel list
Lubuski Immigration Office – Financial Requirements for Residency 2026
Border Guard (Straż Graniczna) – Entry Rules and Procedures