Short answer: the government fees are 440 or 540 PLN. The realistic cost once you add sworn translations and apostilles usually lands between 550 and 2,500 PLN. Here's the full breakdown, line by line, with three real-world scenarios.
Government fees – the fixed amounts
| Item | Amount | When it applies |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary residence permit (standard) | 340 PLN | Studies, business, family reunification |
| Temporary residence and work permit (single) | 440 PLN | When the permit covers work |
| Issuing the residence card | 100 PLN | After a positive decision |
| Card replacement through holder's fault | 200 PLN | Lost or damaged |
There are always two payments: the fee for the decision plus the fee for the card itself. Hence 440 PLN (340 + 100) or 540 PLN (440 + 100).
If you're applying for an EU Blue Card, the 540 PLN version applies, because the permit covers work.
Discounts – who pays less
The residence card fee can be reduced by half, to 50 PLN. This covers minors, people in a difficult financial situation, and pupils and students, among others. The discount has to be documented when you file – it isn't granted automatically.
The costs the office doesn't mention
This is where the gap between 540 PLN and your actual bill opens up. The items below aren't government fees, but in practice they're hard to avoid.
| Item | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Sworn translation | 50–90 PLN per page | A billing page is 1,125 characters, not a sheet of A4 |
| Apostille (Polish document) | 60 PLN per document | Issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs |
| Apostille (foreign document) | Per issuing country's rates | Arrange before you travel |
| Biometric photo | 30–50 PLN | 35×45 mm format |
| Health insurance | 150–300 PLN per month | Only if you're not covered by ZUS |
| ZUS and tax office certificates | Free or 17–21 PLN | They have limited validity |
The first line surprises people most. A sworn translator's billing page is 1,125 characters including spaces – a densely printed birth certificate can run to two such pages even though it's physically one sheet.
Three realistic scenarios
Scenario 1 – EU worker, or documents already in Polish
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Residence and work permit | 440 PLN |
| Residence card | 100 PLN |
| Photo | 40 PLN |
| Total | 580 PLN |
Scenario 2 – non-EU worker with documents to translate
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Residence and work permit | 440 PLN |
| Residence card | 100 PLN |
| Translations (approx. 6 pages) | 420 PLN |
| Apostille (2 documents) | 150 PLN |
| Photo | 40 PLN |
| Total | 1,150 PLN |
Scenario 3 – a family of three
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Permits (3 × 340 PLN) | 1,020 PLN |
| Residence cards (3 × 100 PLN) | 300 PLN |
| Translations (civil status records, approx. 10 pages) | 700 PLN |
| Apostille (4 documents) | 300 PLN |
| Photos (3 people) | 120 PLN |
| Total | 2,440 PLN |
On top of any scenario, add a professional fee if you're using help to assemble the application.
Where and how to pay in Kraków
The stamp duty for the decision (340 or 440 PLN) goes to the City of Kraków Office account – that's the municipality where the voivodeship office is based. Check the account number directly on the Małopolska Voivodeship Office website before transferring, as it does get updated.
The residence card fee (100 PLN) is payable only after a positive decision, to the account given in the letter from the office. Don't pay it upfront with the application.
Put your name and the purpose of payment in the transfer title, and attach the confirmation to your file – missing proof of payment is one of the most common reasons for a request to supplement documents.
How to apply in Kraków – step by step
Step 1 – Complete the application online via MOS. The case handling module is the government portal for residence applications. You fill in the form electronically and generate it for printing.
Step 2 – Assemble your documents. Passport, biometric photo, documents proving your purpose of stay, proof of address registration, insurance, and proof of stamp duty payment.
Step 3 – Book an appointment. Kraków applications are handled by the Małopolska Voivodeship Office, Department of Civic Affairs and Foreigners, ul. Przy Rondzie 6. Slots are booked electronically and can be some way out – book as soon as you know you'll be filing.
Step 4 – Verification and fingerprints. At the appointment the office checks your documents, takes fingerprints, and stamps your passport. The stamp legalises your stay while the case is pending.
Step 5 – Decision and card collection. After a positive decision you pay the 100 PLN and collect your card.
Processing time in Kraków: the statutory limit is up to 3 months for straightforward cases; realistically 3–6 months. File at least 2 months before your current permit expires.
What the government fee doesn't cover
- Your employer's work permit. If you're applying for a separate work permit, that's a separate procedure with its own fee
- Refiling after a refusal. The fee isn't refunded, and a new application means a new fee
- An appeal. Lodging the appeal is free, but fresh translations and certificates are not
- Replacing the card after your details change. A change of name or passport requires a replacement card at an additional fee
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to pay before filing? The stamp duty for the decision, yes – proof of payment goes into your file. The 100 PLN card fee is paid only after a positive decision.
Will I get a refund if I'm refused? No. The stamp duty covers examining the case, not its outcome.
Are costs in Kraków different from other cities? Government fees are identical across Poland. What varies is sworn translators' rates and how long you wait for an appointment.
Can I file entirely online? No. You complete the form via MOS, but an in-person appointment is mandatory because of the fingerprints.
How much does help with the application cost? It depends on the complexity of the case. A free consultation lets us scope the work and quote a specific figure.
Do students pay less? The decision fee is the same, but students can apply for the card fee to be reduced to 50 PLN once they document their status.
The biggest cost of a residence card usually isn't the government fee – it's the time lost to corrections and repeat appointments. We'll check your document set before you file: +48 733 713 133 or hello@investya.pl.