Documents
An EU citizen who intends to obtain a document confirming the right of permanent residence submits to the voivode competent for the place of their residence:
completed, in accordance with the instruction, the application form for the issuance of a document confirming the right of permanent residence – under pain of leaving the application unexamined;
The rules for completing the application are presented in the next stage: "Completing the application".
4 current photographs presenting in an unquestionable way the image of the foreigner's face, without headgear and blackout glasses, meeting the detailed criteria specified by law, i.e. undamaged, colourful, with good sharpness; with dimensions of 35 mm x 45 mm; taken not earlier than within 6 months before the date of submitting the application; depicting the image of the face from the top of the head to the upper part of the shoulders, so that the face occupies 70-80% of the photographs, on a uniform light background, depicting an EU citizen facing straight ahead with their eyes open, their hair not covered, with their facial expression and closed mouth, as well as reflecting the natural colour of their skin; clearly depicting the eyes of the citizen, and in particular their pupils, and the eye line of the EU citizen is parallel to the upper edge of the photograph – under pain of leaving the application unexamined;
The regulations allow for a situation in which:
• an EU citizen who wears a headdress in accordance with the rules of their religion will attach to the application photographs depicting them in this headdress, provided that the headgear cannot cover or distort the oval of the face, and they attach to the application a statement of the foreigner about belonging to a religious community,
• an EU citizen with congenital or acquired visual impairments may attach photographs of them in dark lenses to the application. In this case, however, they should attach documents confirming disability, and if it is not possible to present them, submit a statement of disability,
• the EU citizen will attach photographs with their eyes closed, other than a natural facial expression or with an open mouth, if this is objectively justified (e.g., their state of health).
a photocopy of a valid travel document or other document confirming their identity and citizenship, e.g., an ID card (at the same time they present the original to the person accepting the application for inspection – under pain of leaving the application unexamined).
documents confirming a 5-year uninterrupted stay on the territory of Poland and confirming that during it the EU citizen met at least one of the conditions of stay listed in the Act (as explained in the "Requirements" stage and in the "Registration of stay" tab - stage: "Requirements").
In the case of permitted stays of less than 5 years, in addition to the necessary documents, it is necessary to provide –
In the case of pensioners:
documents confirming the acquisition of retirement benefits
documents confirming the performance of work or other gainful activity on one's own behalf and on one's own account on the territory of the Republic of Poland or in another Member State for a period of 12 months before retirement or early retirement (e.g. employment contract, certificate from ZUS)
documents confirming uninterrupted stay in Poland for a period longer than 3 years (except for the spouse of a Polish citizen).
In the case of permanent incapacity for work:
documents confirming the performance and cessation of work or other gainful activity on one's own behalf and on one's own account on the territory of the Republic of Poland or in another Member State due to permanent incapacity to work (e.g. ZUS certifying doctor's decision on incapacity for work),
documents confirming an uninterrupted stay on the territory of the Republic of Poland for a period longer than 2 years (except for the spouse of a Polish citizen or in the case where permanent incapacity for work is the result of an accident at work or an occupational disease).
In the case of work or other activity in another Member State:
a declaration of having a permanent place of residence in Poland and returning to the territory of Poland, at least once a week;
documents confirming the performance of an employed or self-employed activity in another Member State (e.g. an employment contract);
documents confirming an uninterrupted stay on the territory of the Republic of Poland for a period longer than 3 years (before the commencement of economic activity in another Member State);
In the case of spouses of citizens of the Republic of Poland:
a current copy of the marriage certificate;
a copy of the spouse's identity document;
documents confirming uninterrupted stay on the territory of the Republic of Poland for a period longer than 3 years, in accordance with the conditions of stay.
documents stating the reasons for interruptions in stay, if they have joined (e.g., medical certificate, certificate from the university) – in any case making the acquisition of the right of permanent residence dependent on uninterrupted residence in Poland.
Remember!
The documents should be attached in the original or in a copy certified to be a true copy of the original by a notary public or the party's attorney who is an attorney-at-law or legal advisor. Certification of the compliance of the copy with the original may also be done by an authorized employee of the voivodeship office in the administration office, upon presentation of the original document;
Documents drawn up in a foreign language must be presented together with a sworn translation into Polish. The register of sworn translators is kept by the Ministry of Justice and is available at the link:
documents closely related to each other should be presented jointly and remain valid on the date of presentation (copies of marital status records should be issued not earlier than 3 months before submitting the application).
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