Permanent residence
A permanent residence permit authorises a foreigner to stay in Poland for an indefinite period. A permanent residence card is valid for 10 years, which means that it has to be replaced, but without the need to repeat the entire permit obtaining procedure.
Who may obtain a permanent residence permit in Poland?
A permanent residence permit may be received by a foreigner who:
- is a person of Polish origin intending to settle in Poland on a permanent basis,
- has a valid Pole’s Card and wants to settle in Poland on a permanent basis,
- has been married to a Polish citizen in compliance with Polish law for at least three years before the date on which he/she applied for a permanent residence permit, and immediately prior to the application he resided continuously in Poland for a period of not less than two years on the basis of a temporary residence permit granted in connection with his/her marriage to a Polish citizen,
- is a child of a foreigner who has been granted a permanent residence permit or an EU long-term resident’s residence permit and is under his parental authority, and he/she was born after his/her parent was granted a permanent residence permit or during the period of validity of the temporary residence permit granted to his/her parent,
- is a child of a Polish citizen remaining under his/her parental authority.
How to obtain a permanent residence permit?
An application for a permanent residence permit is submitted personally to the Governor’s Office. (Application forms are available on the website of the Lower Silesian Governor’s Office). An application form may also be filled online on the portal made available by the Office for Foreigners.
The following documents must be attached to the application:
- a valid travel document – photocopies of all pages + original available for view;
- 4 current colour biometric photographs;
- a proof of payment of stamp duty for granting the permit (640 PLN – holders of the Pole’s Card are exempt from payment),
- documents confirming the data contained in the application and circumstances justifying the submission of the application for a permanent residence permit.
Additional documents – depending on the foreigner’s individual situation:
- if the foreigner is a person of Polish origin:
- original documents confirming the Polish origin of one of the parents, grandparents or both great-grandparents;
- documents confirming his/her relationship to a person of Polish origin;
- if the foreigner has a valid Pole’s Card:
- a photocopy of the Pole’s Card, with the original document available for view,
- a document confirming his/her will to stay in Poland (e.g., an employment agreement);
- if the foreigner is married to a Polish citizen:
- a valid copy of the marriage certificate;
- a photocopy of the spouse’s identity card;
- if spouses have common children – copies of their birth certificates;
- a statement of compliance with tax liabilities to the State Treasury;
- the foreigner’s minor child having a permanent residence permit or an EU long-term resident’s residence permit in Poland that remains under his/her parental authority and was born after the granting of the permanent residence permit or the EU long-term resident's residence permit to the foreigner:
- a copy of the birth certificate,
- a copy of the decision to grant a permanent residence permit or an EU long-term resident's residence permit or the residence card of a legal representative;
- a child of a Polish citizen remaining under his/her parental authority:
- a copy of the birth certificate,
- a copy of the identity card of a legal representative (e.g., a parent).
The decision to issue a permanent residence permit shall be made within one month, but in practice the procedure lasts much longer (6-12 months).
Right to stay and work in other countries of the Schengen zone
A permanent residence permit entitles the foreigner to travel to other countries of the Schengen zone for a tourist purpose for up to 90 days during the period of 180 days.
On the basis of a permanent residence permit issued in Poland, the foreigner may not undertake work in any other country than Poland.
When may a permanent residence permit be revoked?
A permanent residence permit may be revoked for the foreigner, e.g., when:
- this is necessary for the defence or national security or the protection of public safety and order or is in the interest of Poland,
- the application for granting the permit or other documents contained incorrect personal data or attested false information;
- when applying for a residence permit, the foreigner testified untruthfully or concealed the truth or forged a document;
- the foreigner was convicted in the Republic of Poland for intentional offence to a penalty of at least 3 years' imprisonment,
- the foreigner left the territory of Poland for a period exceeding 6 years,
- if the foreigner had a permanent residence permit on the basis of his/her marriage to a Polish citizen and divorced within 2 years from the date on which he/she was granted the permanent residence permit.
Source url:https://www.wroclaw.pl/en/residence-and-procedures-in-poland
