A permanent residence permit is an open-ended right to live in Poland – the card is renewed every 10 years, but the right of residence does not expire. It lets you work without a permit and gives full access to life in Poland. It is usually the last step before citizenship. Investya handles these cases across Poland.
Who can apply for permanent residence?
- people of Polish origin or holders of the Karta Polaka intending to settle permanently,
- spouses of Polish citizens – after at least 3 years of marriage and 2 years of uninterrupted residence on a temporary permit,
- children of Polish citizens or of permanent residents,
- people granted protection (asylum, refugee status) who meet the conditions,
- victims of human trafficking meeting specific conditions.
Permanent residence vs. EU long-term resident
These are two different permits. Permanent residence is based on ties to Poland (origin, marriage, Karta Polaka). The EU long-term resident permit is available after 5 years of continuous legal residence, with a stable income and insurance. We'll check which route fits you.
Required documents
A completed application, passport, recent biometric photos, documents proving the basis (e.g. a marriage certificate, Karta Polaka, proof of origin), proof of address registration and proof of payment. Foreign documents require sworn translation.
Costs
| Item | Fee |
|---|---|
| Permanent residence permit | 640 PLN |
| Issuing the residence card | 100 PLN |
Government fees are identical across Poland. On top of that come sworn translations of documents.
How long does it take?
The statutory limit is up to 3 months for straightforward cases; realistically usually several months, depending on the voivodeship office and how complete your documents are.
How Investya helps
We assess the basis on which you can obtain permanent residence, assemble the documents, file the application and represent you before the office – in any city in Poland. More in our guide: Permanent Residence Permit in Poland. See also our residence card service.
Frequently asked questions
Permanent residence is open-ended – the card itself is renewed every 10 years, but the right of residence does not expire. A temporary card is issued for a fixed period and tied to a specific purpose of stay.
Yes. A holder of a permanent residence permit can work in Poland without a separate work permit.
It depends on your situation. Permanent residence is based on ties to Poland (origin, marriage, Karta Polaka). EU long-term resident status is the route after 5 years of continuous legal residence with a stable income. We'll help you choose.
No. Permanent residence gives an open-ended right to live and work, but not a Polish passport or voting rights. It is, however, usually a step before applying for citizenship.
Want permanent residence in Poland?
Book a free consultation – we'll check your basis and guide you through the whole process.
Book a Consultation