Permanent residence — Polish origin or valid Karta Polaka

Foreign nationals of Polish descent, as well as foreign nationals holding a valid Polish Card, who intend to settle in Poland, may apply for a permanent residence permit in the Republic of Poland.

Additional conditions that must be met (a+b+c):

the foreigner declares that they are of Polish nationality;

at least one of his parents or grandparents or two great-grandparents were of Polish nationality;

the foreigner demonstrates their connection to Polish heritage.

⇒ the foreigner holds a valid Afterle's Card or is a person of Polish origin - and intends to settle permanently in Poland;

When applying for a permit in connection with the possession of a Pole's Card, present:

a copy of a valid Pole's Card (original to be presented)

a declaration of intention to settle permanently in Poland.

When applying for a permit in relation to the Polish origin of the representation:

a declaration of intention to settle permanently in Poland; documents confirming Polish ancestry referred to in Articles 5(1) and 6(1) and (2) of the Repatriation Act of 9 November 2000;

Evidence of Polish ancestry may include documents issued by Polish state or church authorities, as well as by the authorities of the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, concerning the applicant or his parents, grandparents or great-grandparents, in particular: Polish identity documents; civil-status records or copies thereof or baptismal certificates attesting a connection with Poland; documents confirming military service in the Polish Army with an entry indicating Polish nationality; documents confirming the fact of deportation or imprisonment, containing an entry stating Polish nationality; identity cards or other official documents containing an entry indicating Polish nationality.

may apply for a permanent residence permit in the Republic of Poland

This permit is granted for an indefinite period upon the foreigner’s application. To obtain this permit, it is not necessary to demonstrate a sufficient length of stay—it is sufficient if, at the time of filing the application, the foreigner is residing in Poland and their stay complies with the regulations, provided that a foreign national who is staying in Poland on the basis of a temporary residence permit granted due to circumstances requiring a short-term stay in the territory of the Republic of Poland may not apply for this permit (Article 181).

At the same time, there are no obstacles preventing a foreigner in such a situation from applying for the second type of residence permit granted for an indefinite period—the EU long-term resident permit. A foreigner holding a permanent residence permit may also apply for this type of permit—however, the reverse situation is not possible.

The granting of this permit is subject to the fulfillment of a number of requirements, including, among others, the requirement of legal and uninterrupted residence in Poland during the period, as a rule, of 5 years preceding the submission of the application.