Understand this route
What to do first
Read the practical route on this page before you contact an authority. Keep the documents and notices that relate to your situation available so that you can check names, dates and any existing reference number against the official process.
Use the official route
The authority, filing method, documents, fees and timing shown on this page are separated so that a requirement that applies only in some situations is not mistaken for a universal requirement. If the official service directs you to a local office or lookup, use that official lookup rather than guessing the competent office.
If something is unclear
Do not rely on an assumption about your status or document. Check the official source below and use the related route where your next action concerns work, family, healthcare or another part of daily life.
Legal basis
- Ustawa z dnia 12 grudnia 2013 r. o cudzoziemcach (Act of 12 December 2013 on Foreigners) — Dz.U. 2025 poz. 1079, as amended.
- Ustawa z dnia 14 lipca 2006 r. o wjeździe na terytorium Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, pobycie oraz wyjeździe z tego terytorium obywateli państw członkowskich Unii Europejskiej i członków ich rodzin (Act of 14 July 2006 on the Entry, Stay and Departure from Poland of Citizens of EU Member States and their Family Members) — Dz.U. 2026 poz. 1065, consolidated text.
- Ustawa z dnia 23 stycznia 2026 r. o wygaszeniu rozwiązań wynikających z ustawy o pomocy obywatelom Ukrainy ... oraz o zmianie niektórych innych ustaw (Act of 23 January 2026 phasing out measures under the Act on Assistance to Citizens of Ukraine and amending certain other acts) — Dz.U. 2026 poz. 203.
- Dyrektywa 2004/38/WE w sprawie prawa obywateli Unii i członków ich rodzin do swobodnego przemieszczania się i pobytu (Directive 2004/38/EC on the right of Union citizens and their family members to move and reside freely) — OJ L 158, 30.4.2004, as amended.
- Dyrektywa Rady 2003/109/WE dotycząca statusu obywateli państw trzecich będących rezydentami długoterminowymi (Council Directive 2003/109/EC concerning the status of third-country nationals who are long-term residents) — OJ L 16, 23.1.2004, as amended.
Updated: 2026-10-20