The Polish Card is a confirmation of a foreigner’s Polish heritage. Below, you will find information about the benefits of holding a Polish Card, who is eligible to obtain it, the procedure for obtaining it, costs, validity period, and answers to the most frequently asked questions related to this card.
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What rights does the Polish Card grant?
Holders of Polish passports have the right to numerous benefits, such as:
- Exemption from the requirement to obtain a work permit.
- The ability to start and run a business on equal terms with Polish residents.
- Continuation of studies, doctoral research, and other forms of education, as well as participation in research and development activities.
- Access to healthcare services in emergency cases.
- A 37% discount on one-way train tickets for personal, fast, and express trains in Poland.
- Free admission to selected national museums in Poland.
- Consular assistance in life-threatening or security situations, within the consul’s competence.
- Exemption from consular fees related to the exercise of rights resulting from holding a Polish Card, including those related to visas and Polish citizenship.
- The ability to apply for a financial scholarship to partially cover living costs in Poland if applying for permanent residence. The financial benefits are valid for a maximum of 9 months.
- Priority in applying for material assistance supporting Poles abroad.
Who can obtain the Polish Card?
A person who, on the date of submitting the application for the Polish Card and on the date of receiving the Polish Card, does not have Polish citizenship,
or
who does not have a permanent residence permit in Poland,
or
who has been granted the status of a stateless person.
Let’s now look at some groups of foreigners who are eligible to obtain the Polish Card.
Former Polish Citizens and Their Descendants
Individuals who once held Polish citizenship and later lost it through renunciation or deprivation of civil rights can apply for the Polish Card. Their children and grandchildren can also apply, provided they can prove their Polish heritage.
Foreign Students
Foreign students who graduated from Polish universities also have a chance to obtain the Polish Card. They must demonstrate their Polish heritage and receive appropriate recommendations from the university where they studied.
Foreign Workers
Foreigners who work in Poland either permanently or temporarily can also apply for the Polish Card. It is required to have a work permit and proof of Polish heritage, such as the Polish nationality of one parent.
People Without Polish Heritage
In certain cases, even individuals without Polish roots can obtain the Polish Card. This applies to those who have made a significant contribution to the development of Poland or work towards promoting Polish culture and values.
How to obtain the Polish Card?
The application for the Polish Card should be submitted at the Embassy or Consulate of the Republic of Poland in the country where the person currently resides. It is also possible to submit the application online through the Consulate’s website.
The Polish Card is granted to a person who:
- Can confirm their belonging to the Polish nation by demonstrating at least basic knowledge of the Polish language, which they consider their native language, as well as knowledge and cultivation of Polish traditions and customs;
- Submits a written declaration of belonging to the Polish nation;
- Provides proof that they are a Polish citizen, have Polish citizenship, or that at least one of their parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents is or was a Polish citizen;
- Individuals from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Latvia, Moldova, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, or stateless persons in one of these countries on the day of application.
Granting the Polish Card to Disabled Persons:
- The card for children can be issued upon the application of both parents if both hold the card before obtaining permanent residence. If only one parent holds the card, its issuance requires the consent of the other parent, expressed in the presence of a Polish consul or voivode. If the other parent does not have parental rights, this consent is not required.
- The card can also be issued to a minor who proves that at least one of the parents, grandparents, or great-grandparents of their deceased parent was Polish or a Polish citizen. In such a case, the application is submitted by the surviving parent or legal representative.
What are the costs?
At all stages, the procedure for obtaining the Polish Card is free of charge and does not require any fees.
How long is it valid?
The Polish Card is valid for 10 years from the date of issue. To extend its validity for another 10 years, an appropriate application must be submitted no later than 3 months before the current card’s expiration date.
Important note: The Polish Card issued to a minor is valid until their 18th birthday plus an additional year. After reaching adulthood, the cardholder should apply for an extension no later than 9 months after turning 18.
For individuals who are 65 years old or older, the Polish Card is valid indefinitely.
Extension procedure
In the first step of the Polish Card extension process, you must personally submit an application at the Polish consulate in your country of residence. The application must be filled out in accordance with the consulate’s requirements, and any errors in its completion may result in rejection.
It is also important to remember the consular fee associated with extending the Polish Card. The amount of the fee depends on the country where the application is submitted and the current exchange rate. It is advisable to consult with our specialists to minimize costs.
After submitting the application and paying the consular fee, the new Polish Card must be collected in person at the consulate. This process may take some time, so it is recommended to start it well before the current card’s expiration date.
What to do if the card is lost/damaged?
If the Polish Card is lost or damaged, the holder should immediately report this to the appropriate voivodeship office or consulate and submit an application for a duplicate. The decision to issue a duplicate is made by the institution that originally issued the card (consul or voivode).
Individuals who have reached adulthood and are applying for the Polish Card must provide the following documents:
- Application for the Polish Card,
- Valid identity document with a current photo and its photocopy,
- Proofs confirming the Polish citizenship of the applicant or their ancestors, documents confirming kinship, and their copies,
- Certificates from a recognized Polish organization confirming active participation in Polish culture and language,
- Proofs of knowledge of the Polish language, such as school or university diplomas from Poland or foreign institutions where the language of instruction is Polish; lack of such documents will result in the consulate assessing language proficiency during the interview.
Parents applying for the Polish Card for a minor child must present:
- Completed application for the Polish Card,
- Child’s birth certificate,
- Copy of the parent’s or parents’ identity document,
- Polish identity document of one of the parents or its copy.
Possession of the Polish Card does not equate to obtaining Polish citizenship, does not grant the right to permanently settle in the territory of the Republic of Poland, nor does it grant the right to visa-free entry into Poland.