Residence card in Poland in 2026: current rules, documents, and changes

Poland remains one of the most popular countries for Ukrainians looking for work, study, or a new home. If you're planning to stay in the country longer than your visa-free period or temporary protection status allows, you'll need to apply for a residence card (Karta Pobytu).

In this article, we'll cover what a residence card is, the types of residence permits available, who can apply, the current rules for Ukrainian citizens with UKR status, and the mistakes that most often delay case processing.

What is a residence card?

A residence card (Karta Pobytu) is a document confirming a foreigner's legal stay in Poland under an issued residence permit.

It allows you to:

1. reside in Poland legally;
2. work (if the permit allows it);
3. cross the Polish border multiple times without a visa;
4. travel within the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period;
5. access a range of administrative and social services.

The plastic card itself is not the basis for your stay — it merely confirms the voivode's decision to grant the relevant permit.

What types of residence card are there?

Applying for a residence card in Poland for foreigners in 2026

1. Temporary residence card (Pobyt czasowy)

The most common option among Ukrainians.

Issued to people who:

1. are officially employed in Poland;
2. run a business;
3. are studying;
4. are reuniting with family;
5. have other lawful grounds for residence.

Valid for up to 3 years, depending on the grounds.

Once it expires, a new application must be submitted.

2. Permanent residence card (Pobyt stały)

Granted only to specific categories of foreigners, including:

1. people of Polish origin;
2. Karta Polaka (Pole's Card) holders who meet the required conditions;
3. the spouse of a Polish citizen, after the legally required period of marriage and cohabitation;
4. other specific categories defined by Polish law.

The permit itself is granted indefinitely, but the physical card must be renewed every 10 years.

3. EU long-term resident status

Foreigners can obtain long-term resident status if they:

1. have legally resided in Poland for the period required by law;
2. have a stable income;
3. have proven Polish language proficiency at level B1 or higher;
4. meet the other statutory requirements.

The permit itself is indefinite, but the card must be renewed every 5 years.

4. The special CUKR permit for Ukrainian citizens

Following amendments to the special legislation, Poland introduced a new type of residence permit, CUKR, available to certain Ukrainian citizens who have benefited from temporary protection (UKR status) and meet the statutory requirements.

The eligibility conditions, application deadlines, and procedure may change as the legislation is updated, so it's advisable to check the current rules before submitting your documents.

Who can apply for a residence card?

Grounds for applying include:

1. official employment;
2. running a business;
3. studying;
4. family reunification;
5. research activity;
6. humanitarian or other grounds defined by law.

Each type of permit has its own list of required documents and requirements.

What documents are required?

The standard document package usually includes:

1. a completed application form;
2. a valid passport;
3. 4 current photographs;
4. proof of payment of the state fee;
5. documents confirming the grounds for your stay;
6. proof of health insurance (if required);
7. proof of your place of residence;
8. a supporting statement from your employer (for work-based applications);
9. documents confirming marital/family status (for family reunification).

For certain categories of applicants, the voivodeship office may request additional documents.

Submitting a residence card (Karta Pobytu) application online — Legalis Company

Special rules for Ukrainian citizens with UKR status

Following amendments to the special legislation, Ukrainians staying in Poland under temporary protection can, under certain conditions, switch to another form of legal residence — including applying for a standard residence card or the special CUKR permit.

Before applying, it's worth checking:

1. whether you meet the conditions for the specific grounds you're applying under;
2. whether your PESEL UKR status is still valid;
3. whether you have the complete set of documents;
4. whether the requirements for how to submit your application have changed.

Since the rules for Ukrainian citizens are updated periodically, it's important to rely only on current, up-to-date information.

Family reunification

If one family member has already obtained the relevant residence permit, the law may allow their closest relatives to apply for documents as well.

Depending on the grounds, this can include:

1. a spouse;
2. minor children.

In each case, the authority checks the legality of the applicant's stay, housing arrangements, and financial means.

The most common mistakes when submitting documents

To avoid a refusal or delay, pay attention to the following:

1. an incorrectly completed application form;
2. missing required signatures;
3. an expired passport;
4. an incomplete document package;
5. errors in personal data;
6. an unpaid administrative fee;
7. missing proof of the grounds for your stay;
8. failing to respond in time to letters from the voivodeship office;
9. not reporting a change of residential address.

Once you receive a request to supplement your documents, you must meet the requirement within the deadline given.

What to do if you lose your residence card?

If your card is lost or damaged, notify the voivodeship office as soon as possible and submit an application for a duplicate.

Attach the required documents and proof of payment of the applicable fee to your application.

How long does it take to get a residence card?

Processing time depends on:

1. the voivodeship;
2. the grounds for the application;
3. how complete the documents are;
4. the office's current workload.

In practice, processing can take anywhere from a few months to a year or more, so it's best to submit your documents well in advance.

Getting a residence card is an important step for anyone planning a long-term stay in Poland. A properly prepared document package, a carefully completed application, and a timely response to any requests from the voivodeship office significantly improve your chances of a positive decision.

If you're not sure which type of residence card is right for you, or want to avoid mistakes when submitting your documents, reach out to our specialists. Professional guidance can save you time and help you avoid unnecessary costs.