Residence card

First document issue

A family member of an EU citizen (who is not an EU citizen) staying on the territory of the Republic of Poland is obliged to obtain a residence card if this stay lasts for a period longer than 3 months. For this purpose, an application for a residence card should be submitted to the locally competent voivode. This application is submitted, as a rule, in person, no later than on the next day after 3 months from the date of entry into the territory of the Republic of Poland.

However, the requirement to appear in person to submit an application does not apply to minors who have not reached the age of 6 by the date of submitting the application and to persons who have been completely incapacitated. In addition, the requirement to appear in person to submit an application may be waived in particularly justified cases, including due to the applicant's state of health. The application shall be accompanied by up-to-date photographs of the applicant. More information related to the procedure for applying for a family member of an EU citizen a residence card for the first time can be found HERE.

The residence card shall be issued no later than within 6 months from the date of submission of the application for its issuance, as a rule, with a 5-year validity period. However, if the intended period of stay of an EU citizen on the territory of the Republic of Poland, to which the family member joins or with whom they stay, is shorter than 5 years – this document is issued with a validity period corresponding to the intended period of stay of that EU citizen.

The residence card is collected in person and is possible upon presentation of a valid travel document by the family member of the EU citizen.

If the residence card has been issued to a minor who has not reached the age of 13 by the date of its receipt, or to a person who has been completely incapacitated, the card shall be collected by the parent, legal guardian, or curator, respectively, upon presentation of a valid document confirming their identity.

Receipt of a residence card issued to a fully incapacitated person or a minor who has reached the age of 6 by the date of submitting the application for a residence card requires the presence of that person.

In particularly justified cases, including due to the applicant's state of health, the residence card may be collected by a representative, on the basis of a special power of attorney to receive this document, upon presentation of a document confirming their identity.