Students coming to Poland must meet certain entry and residence requirements depending on their citizenship. Below you will find essential information for EU/EEA citizens and non-EU/EEA citizens.
EU/EEA citizens
An EU citizen may enter Poland with a valid identity document (a passport or another official document confirming identity and citizenship). For stays of up to 3 months, no additional legalisation is required. For stays exceeding 3 months, an EU citizen must obtain a temporary residence permit (Karta pobytu obywatela UE). For students, the permit is issued for a period of one year.
The residence permit entitles the holder to undertake employment in Poland. This right also extends to immediate family members (spouse and children). The document is issued by the Department of Citizens’ Affairs of the Voivodeship Office (Urząd Wojewódzki). The fee for issuing the residence permit is 30 PLN (approx. 7 EUR).
Temporary residence permits are granted to EU citizens who have health insurance and sufficient financial resources to cover their stay in Poland without requiring social assistance.
Documents that must be submitted to the Voivodeship Office:
- a copy of a valid travel document (passport or other identity document)
- proof of health insurance
- an official letter of acceptance from the Polish university (with the planned period of study)
- a declaration confirming sufficient financial resources to cover living expenses in Poland
- 2 photographs
- an application form (wniosek o zezwolenie na pobyt)
Institutional Erasmus Coordinators at Polish universities may assist students in obtaining the residence permit.
Citizens of EEA countries follow the same rules as EU citizens.
Citizens of Switzerland may enter Poland only with a valid passport.
Non-EU/EEA citizens
A citizen of a non-EU/EEA country may enter Poland with a valid passport and a visa, if required. The visa must be obtained from a Polish consulate in the country of residence.
A short-term visa entitles the holder to stay in Poland for up to 3 months, and a long-term visa for up to 1 year. Visa extension in Poland is possible only in cases of force majeure or other unforeseeable circumstances. The visa may be extended only once.
Therefore, applicants must ensure that the visa issued by the consulate covers the entire planned period of stay in Poland. For detailed information, please contact the Polish consulate in your country.
Individuals whose visa covers their entire stay in Poland do not need to apply for a temporary residence permit.