Legal stay in Poland is a process that allows foreigners to reside in the country legally. There are different types of documents depending on the purposes and grounds for staying in Poland.
Karta pobytu czasowego (a document that allows temporary residence) can be obtained by foreigners who come to Poland for work, study, business, family reunification, etc. It is issued for a period of no more than 3 years.
Karta pobytu stałego is issued to individuals who intend to reside permanently in Poland. To obtain this card, a foreigner must have a certain period of residence in the country.
EU Resident Card is one of the documents that allow a foreigner to legally reside in Poland. It is issued for a period of 5 years, meaning that the card must be periodically renewed.
(document allowing temporary residence)
issued to those persons who intend to permanently reside in Poland.
this is one of the documents that allows a foreigner to legally reside in Poland.
Członek Sądu Koleżeńskiego SPPON (Stowarzyszenie Pomorskie Pośredników w Obrocie Nieruchomościami) Licencja 29826
Author and teacher of a course for real estate agents
Legalization is a legal process of recognizing something within the legal framework, meaning granting legal force to certain actions, documents, or objects. It’s a process of legitimization or official recognition.
The word comes from the English “legal,” meaning “lawful, pertaining to law.”
The following types of legalization are distinguished:
Thanks to legalization, foreigners can reside in Poland on legal grounds and have the same rights to education, work, medical care, etc., as Polish citizens.
The legalization of foreigners in Poland has its peculiarities depending on the person’s citizenship and reason for arrival. In general, there are the following main ways to legalize one’s stay in the country:
To learn more about how to stay in Poland legally, avoid document errors, and not miss the statutory deadlines for submitting an application, contact Real Consult. Our lawyers and migration specialists will provide recommendations on legalizing your stay in the country and help you navigate complex bureaucratic procedures as quickly and easily as possible. For a consultation, call us, send a message via messenger, or fill out the form on our website.
The duration of stay in Poland depends on an individual’s status.
Under a visa-free regime or with a Schengen visa, you can stay in the country for up to 90 days within a six-month period. If you obtain a national visa, you are allowed to stay in Poland for up to one year. A “Karta pobytu” allows you to stay in the country for 1 to 3 years.
For Ukrainians who crossed the Polish border after February 24, 2022, and received the PESEL UKR temporary protection status, they were initially allowed to live in Poland for 18 months, but this period has been extended. Currently, citizens of Ukraine who fled the war have the right to stay in the country until September 30, 2025. After that, either this period will be extended, or Ukrainians will have to obtain a CUKR card with a three-year residence permit or seek other legal ways to stay in the country.
If you are interested in legalizing your stay in Poland, full information can be obtained from the relevant government agencies or from migration law specialists who can consult on any questions regarding legal residency in the country.
To gain opportunities for a full life, the right to education, employment, and medical services, legalization in Poland is a necessary condition. Legal status guarantees the protection of rights and stability, allowing you to use all services available to Polish citizens.
What are the advantages of legalization in Poland:
Legal residency is a prerequisite for obtaining a permanent residence permit in Poland, and subsequently, Polish citizenship. This gives you access to the European labor market and numerous opportunities for developing your own business. And a residence permit in Poland for Ukrainians also guarantees a stable and safe life away from the war.
If you plan to live, study, work, conduct research, intern, volunteer, or do business in Poland, you need to obtain a temporary residence permit. It allows you to stay in the country for 1-3 years.
In case of a long-term stay on Polish territory for over 5 years, you can obtain a permanent residence permit. It is issued for an unlimited period, but with the renewal of the “Karta pobytu” every 10 years.
After February 24, 2022, Poland became a country where Ukrainians could obtain temporary protection status with the right of legal residence.
To legalize, you need to submit documents to the appropriate state authority. To get PESEL UKR, Ukrainians need to apply to the local “urząd” (municipal office) or “gmina” (commune) administration in the area where they reside. And to obtain a “Karta pobytu”, you need to submit an application to the Department for Foreigners of the Voivodeship Office at your place of residence.
5 steps for legalization:
The legalization of stay for Ukrainians in Poland, as well as for citizens of other countries, is an individual process. The requirements for granting a residence permit may differ depending on the person’s status. Therefore, it is advisable to seek professional help.
Lawyers and migration consultants at Real Consult explain to foreigners their rights and obligations, legal norms, and the specifics of the legalization procedure, providing clear recommendations on where to apply for a “Karta Polaka”, a temporary or permanent residence permit, or PESEL UKR status. They also help to correctly fill out the application, prepare, and submit documents within the statutory deadline. If necessary, specialists will accompany you throughout the entire process and provide the necessary legal support. You will learn how long you can stay in Poland without UKR status if you entered before February 24, 2022, and in other cases, and you will be able to quickly and smoothly obtain the permit you need. For a consultation, contact us in a way that is convenient for you.
The conditions for Ukrainians staying in Poland have changed since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation began. The authorities passed a law to support Ukrainian citizens and provide temporary protection to all who need it. At the same time, they are working on integration for those Ukrainians who intend to remain in the country in the future.
How to legalize your stay in Poland:
Ukrainians with temporary protection status are obligated to reside permanently in Poland. If they leave the country for more than 30 days, they will lose their status.
Also, individuals who have a “Karta Polaka” (Pole’s Card), are family members of a Ukrainian who has a “Karta Polaka,” or are married to a Polish citizen may obtain a temporary or permanent residence permit.
To obtain a residence permit in Poland for Ukrainians (Karta stałego pobytu), you need to meet the legal requirements and apply to the relevant state authority with an application and a package of documents confirming your status.
If you left Ukraine during the war and plan to live abroad, legalization is absolutely necessary. Poland grants Ukrainians temporary protection status, and individuals who have been in the country for a long time can obtain a “Karta pobytu.” To reduce risks and speed up the process of obtaining a temporary or permanent residence permit, you need to correctly fill out the application and prepare the necessary documents.
How to avoid mistakes:
The legalization of Ukrainians’ stay in Poland is regulated by Polish legislation and EU decisions on temporary protection. Since information is constantly updated, you need to monitor changes to ensure everything is processed correctly and in accordance with the law.
Citizens of other countries who wish to obtain a residence permit in Poland can apply directly to the Department for Foreigners of the Voivodeship Office at their place of registration.
If you need professional consultation and assistance in filling out the application, preparing, translating, and submitting documents, contact specialists. Real Consult offers the services of lawyers and migration consultants for quick resolution of any issue related to legalization. We make every effort to quickly and smoothly legalize the stay in Poland for Ukrainians and citizens of other countries. We help even in complex situations.
The legalization procedure requires thorough document preparation and knowledge of the law. For foreigners who do not know Polish, this process can be complicated, unclear, and even exhausting. The situation is further complicated by constant changes in legal acts. At the same time, the procedure for obtaining various permits also differs. These nuances can be confusing, leading to errors, delays, and violations that could result in deportation. Therefore, qualified legal assistance from Real Consult specialists is essential for successful legalization.
We help you obtain:
Our lawyers and migration consultants will help you properly prepare all documents and meet the legal requirements to successfully complete the procedure for obtaining the relevant permit.
6 reasons to contact Real Consult:
If you are interested in quick legalization in Poland for Ukrainians, you can contact our specialists in Gdańsk. We also assist foreigners in other cities, such as Warsaw, Krakow, Gdynia, Reda, Rumia, Sopot, Borkowo, Żukowo, Pruszcz Gdański, etc. We consult online and offline. To book a consultation, call the number listed on the website, leave a request in Telegram, Viber, WhatsApp messengers, or fill out the online feedback form.
Ensure your future with confidence! Get professional help from Real Consult to reduce risks, avoid errors and deportation, and speed up the legalization process in Poland.
