What is the Pole`s Card?

What does the Pole's Card entitle you to? With it you can receive privileges and entitlements, such as:

• the right to obtain a permanent residence permit if the holder of the Pole's Card intends to settle on Polish territory;
• the right to apply for recognition as a Polish citizen one year after obtaining a permanent residence permit by virtue of having the Pole`s Card;
• exemption from the requirement for a work permit and the ability to undertake and carry out business activities on the same terms as Polish citizens;
• the possibility to pursue studies, doctoral studies and other forms of education, as well as to participate in scientific research and development work;
• the right to receive health care services in emergency cases;
• concessions on train travel in Poland, where holders of the Pole`s Card can enjoy a 37% discount on single tickets for passenger, fast and express trains;
• free admission to state museums;
• consular assistance in the event of a threat to life or safety, in accordance with his powers, taking into account customs and international law;
• exemption from consular fees for an application for a national visa to exercise the rights of the Card of the Pole and for an application for Polish citizenship;
• cash benefit for partial coverage of subsistence in Poland (for a period of up to 9 months) - if the foreigner applies for a permanent residence permit on account of having the Pole`s Card; this benefit is also granted for the spouse and minor children;
• priority when applying for financial assistance intended to support Poles living abroad.

A person who wants to obtain a Pole's Card declares that he or she belongs to the Polish Nation and:

1. demonstrates his or her connection to Poland by having at least a basic knowledge of the Polish language, which he or she considers his or her native language, and knowledge and cultivation of Polish traditions and customs.
2. in the presence of the consul of the Republic of Poland, the provincial governor or an employee designated by them, must make a written declaration of his or her affiliation with the Polish Nation.
3. must prove that he/she is of Polish descent or that at least one of his/her parents or grandparents or two great-grandparents were of Polish nationality. Alternatively, he/she may present a certificate from a Polish or Polish-American organization confirming active involvement in Polish language and culture or Polish national minority activities for at least the last three years.
4. he/she must submit a statement that neither he/she nor her ancestors were repatriated from the territory of the Republic of Poland or the Polish People's Republic on the basis of repatriation agreements concluded between 1944 and 1957 by Poland or the Polish People's Republic with the Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic, the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, the Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, to one of the countries that were party to these agreements.
5. on the date of application for a Card of the Pole, does not have Polish citizenship or a permanent residence permit in the territory of Poland.

To apply for the granting or renewal of the Card of the Pole, you need to apply at the appropriate Consulate of the Republic of Poland, depending on the place of residence of the applicant. Citizens of Ukraine, the Republic of Belarus and the Russian Federation can also apply at the Provincial Office competent for their place of residence.

Here is the basic set of documents that are necessary for a complete application for a Pole's Card:

1. an application, which must be filled out according to the attached instructions,
2. one recent photograph (taken within the last 6 months),
3. completed and copied documents that confirm the applicant's Polishness and knowledge of the Polish language.

The Pole's Card is valid for ten years. After this time, you can apply to extend the validity of the document for another 10 years. However, there are exceptions to this rule.

Persons over 65 years of age may be granted a Pole's Card for an indefinite period of time.

For minors, the Pole's Card is issued for a period of ten years, but no longer than one year after reaching the age of majority.

The Pole`s Card is a document that confirms membership in the Polish Nation for persons with citizenship other than Polish. Obtaining a Pole's Card entails many privileges. To apply for this document, one must meet certain conditions, such as knowledge of the Polish language, Polish ancestry and no repatriation from Polish territory. You can apply for a Pole's Card at the relevant Polish Consulate or Provincial Office. The Pole's Card is valid for 10 years, but it is possible to extend its validity. The greatest privileges for the holder of the Pole's Card are the ability to quickly obtain a permanent residence permit and Polish citizenship, as well as access to the labor market and education.

Want to apply for a Pole's Card, but don't know how to do it? Apply to us. The Kancelaria ds. Obywatelskich will guide you through all the formalities.