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EU citizen in Poland? You still need to register

EU and EEA citizens don’t need a visa or residence permit to live in Poland, but if you’re staying longer than 3 months, you must register your stay. We make sure it’s done correctly.

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What is EU citizen registration?

As an EU or EEA citizen, you have the right to live and work in Poland freely. However, if you plan to stay longer than 3 months, Polish law requires you to register your stay at the voivodeship office. It’s a simpler process than a residence permit, but still involves paperwork.

Non-EU family members of EU citizens follow a different procedure: they apply for a residence card for a family member of an EU citizen, which has its own requirements.

Who needs to register?

  • EU/EEA citizens staying in Poland for more than 3 months
  • Swiss citizens staying in Poland for more than 3 months
  • Non-EU family members of EU citizens (spouse, children, dependents)

Registration for EU citizens

EU citizens register their stay at the voivodeship office. You need to show a valid reason for staying: employment, self-employment, studies, or sufficient financial means. The registration certificate is issued on the spot or within a few days.

After 5 years of continuous registered stay, you can apply for a permanent residence document, which confirms your right of permanent residence in Poland.

Family members of EU citizens

If you’re a non-EU citizen but your spouse or parent is an EU citizen living in Poland, you can apply for a residence card for a family member of an EU citizen. This is a separate process from the standard residence permit and has different, often more favorable, requirements.

What we handle for you

  • Assessment of which registration or permit type you need
  • Document preparation for EU citizen registration
  • Residence card application for non-EU family members
  • Permanent residence documentation after 5 years

EU Citizens Registration — Frequently Asked Questions

No. EU citizens have the right to live and work in Poland without a residence permit. However, if you stay longer than 3 months, you must register your stay at the voivodeship office. It’s a simpler process than a residence permit.

Your non-EU spouse can apply for a residence card for a family member of an EU citizen. This has more favorable conditions than a standard residence permit: faster processing, fewer requirements, and no work permit needed.

For EU citizens, the registration certificate is usually issued on the spot or within a few days. For non-EU family members, the residence card process takes about 1-3 months.

Technically, you can face a fine for not registering. More practically, without registration you’ll have trouble accessing services like healthcare, opening a bank account, or getting a PESEL number.

Need to register your stay in Poland?
We handle the paperwork

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