LONG-TERM EU RESIDENCE PERMIT
What is a long-term EU residence permit
The long-term EU residence permit (EU long-term resident’s card) is a permit for permanent residence in Poland. The decision to issue a residence permit is made for an indefinite period of time. The card itself is valid for 5 years, which means that the card must be replaced every 5 years as part of the card replacement procedure. However, there is no need to reapply for a permit and go through the permit process. A long-term EU residence permit (EU long-term residence card) issued by Poland entitles the holder to travel to other Schengen countries. Nevertheless, the stay of a foreigner on this basis cannot exceed 90 days within 180 days. If a foreigner intends to stay in this country longer than the specified limit allows, he must legalize his stay in accordance with the rules in force in the country.
LONG-TERM EU RESIDENCE PERMIT
What is a long-term EU residence permit
The long-term EU residence permit (EU long-term resident’s card) is a permit for permanent residence in Poland. The decision to issue a residence permit is made for an indefinite period of time. The card itself is valid for 5 years, which means that the card must be replaced every 5 years as part of the card replacement procedure. However, there is no need to reapply for a permit and go through the permit process. A long-term EU residence permit (EU long-term residence card) issued by Poland entitles the holder to travel to other Schengen countries. Nevertheless, the stay of a foreigner on this basis cannot exceed 90 days within 180 days. If a foreigner intends to stay in this country longer than the specified limit allows, he must legalize his stay in accordance with the rules in force in the country.
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Grounds for obtaining an EU residence card
A foreigner can get a long-term EU resident permit if he or she:
Stayed in Poland legally and continuously for at least 5 years.
During the last 5 years, the foreigner has the right to stay outside Poland for no more than 6 months continuously, and the total sum of all breaks cannot exceed 10 months.
Health insurance
Has health insurance within the meaning of the Act of August 27, 2004 on medical services financed from public funds, or confirmation that the insurer covers the costs of treatment in Poland.
Has a stable and regular source of income during the 3 years of residence in Poland.
Immediately before the application, sufficient to cover the cost of living for himself and his dependent family members.
Has a proven knowledge of Polish (at least level B1).
The applicant must confirm their knowledge of the Polish language at a level that meets the specific standards established for this level. This can be a certificate of Polish language proficiency at the B1 level, a certificate of graduation from a school in the Republic of Poland in accordance with Article 2 of the Act of December 14, 2016, “On the Education System” (Dz. U. of 2023, items 900, 1672, 1718, and 2005), or an educational institution as defined in the Act of July 20, 2018, “On Higher Education and Science” with instruction in the Polish language.
Benefits of the long-term EU residence permit
The long-term EU resident permit offers a number of advantages, in particular:
- Multiple crossing of the Polish border without the need to open a visa.
- Grounds for a legal stay of up to 5 years.
- Acquisition of real estate in Poland without additional permits.
- Getting credit from Polish banks, including mortgages.
- Possibility of doing business as a private entrepreneur (działalność gospodarcza).
- The possibility of obtaining Polish citizenship.
- Right to work in Poland without a work permit.
- Right to work in Poland without a work permit.
- Acquisition of land in Poland without additional permits.
- Ability to apply in Poland for visas to non-Schengen countries.
- Free education in Polish institutions.
If the application for a long-term EU residence permit (zezwolenie na pobyt rezydenta długoterminowego UE) was submitted during the foreigner’s legal stay and it contained no formal defects or formal defects were corrected in time, the voivode puts a stamp in the foreigner’s travel document confirming the application. A foreigner’s stay is considered legal from the moment of application until the date on which the decision to issue a long-term resident’s EU residence permit becomes final.
NOTE: A stamp in a travel document does not give a foreigner the right to travel in other Schengen countries, while a foreigner can go to the country of origin, but to return to Poland he or she must obtain a visa, if he or she comes from a country to which requirements apply.
The long-term resident permit entitles you to work in Poland without the need to obtain additional documents. To find out how a foreigner holding a long-term resident’s permit issued by the Polish authorities can work in another EU country, it is necessary to find out how this issue is regulated by the national regulations of the country where the foreigner intends to work.
How to get a long-term EU residence card
The procedure for obtaining a long-term EU resident card (zezwolenie na pobyt rezydenta długoterminowego UE) takes place at the Voivodeship Office in the foreigner’s place of residence.
The application must be submitted by a foreigner legally residing in Poland, i.e. no later than the last day of his/her legal stay (e.g., the last day of his/her temporary residence card or visa).
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Visa-free stay in Poland is short-term and lasts no more than 90 out of 180 days. Border guards calculate the days of a foreigner’s stay for the last 180 days. Every 6 months (180 days), you can stay in the Schengen area for only 90 consecutive days or sum up the days of short-term stays.
Visa-free stay in Poland is short-term and lasts no more than 90 out of 180 days. Border guards calculate the days of a foreigner’s stay for the last 180 days. Every 6 months (180 days), you can stay in the Schengen area for only 90 consecutive days or sum up the days of short-term stays.
Visa-free stay in Poland is short-term and lasts no more than 90 out of 180 days. Border guards calculate the days of a foreigner’s stay for the last 180 days. Every 6 months (180 days), you can stay in the Schengen area for only 90 consecutive days or sum up the days of short-term stays.
Visa-free stay in Poland is short-term and lasts no more than 90 out of 180 days. Border guards calculate the days of a foreigner’s stay for the last 180 days. Every 6 months (180 days), you can stay in the Schengen area for only 90 consecutive days or sum up the days of short-term stays.
Visa-free stay in Poland is short-term and lasts no more than 90 out of 180 days. Border guards calculate the days of a foreigner’s stay for the last 180 days. Every 6 months (180 days), you can stay in the Schengen area for only 90 consecutive days or sum up the days of short-term stays.
Visa-free stay in Poland is short-term and lasts no more than 90 out of 180 days. Border guards calculate the days of a foreigner’s stay for the last 180 days. Every 6 months (180 days), you can stay in the Schengen area for only 90 consecutive days or sum up the days of short-term stays.