Poland tightens document requirements for EU long-term resident card

Tighter control over applicants' financial status

Requirements for foreigners applying for an EU long-term resident permit (Zezwolenie na pobyt rezydenta długoterminowego UE) have significantly tightened over the past few years. In practice, voivodeship administrations are increasingly demanding documents that were not previously part of the standard package for processing an application.

As noted by the publication Inpoland, Polish authorities are analysing the financial situation of both the applicant and their family members with growing scrutiny.

Focus on spouse's income and employment gaps

Particular attention is paid to the income of family members. For example, in Wrocław, the Lower Silesian Voivodeship Administration (DUW) has been able to require the submission of the PIT-37 form from the applicant's spouse and to scrutinise this data in detail for several years.

A separate issue is gaps in employment and salary receipt. There is no single acceptable duration for all cases, as each case is assessed individually. However, the general principle is that the fewer gaps in work and income, the higher the chances of a positive decision.

In accordance with the explanations from the Voivodeship Administrative Court (WSA), a gap of more than three months may significantly complicate obtaining the permit. It is also necessary to consider the limit on the total duration of absence from Poland during the five-year period, which is 10 months.

Current list of required documents

To submit an application for the EU long-term resident card, the following set of documents must be prepared:

1. Four current photographs.
2. A document confirming knowledge of the Polish language, specifically a state exam certificate at B1 level or TELC. Important: from July 2026, a certificate of completion of a politechnical school will no longer confirm knowledge of the Polish language for this procedure.
3. A valid employment contract.
4. Insurance documents — ZUS ZUA and ZUS RCA certificates for the last six months. Additionally, a certificate from ZUS regarding the total insurance period over three years with all employers may be requested.
5. Proof of payment of the state fee in the amount of 640 zlotys.
6. Decisions granting residence permits for the previous five years and all residence cards, if they were issued.
7. A copy of the passport.
8. Information on all entries into Poland and exits from its territory over the last five years.
9. PESEL number.
10. Meldunek — confirmation of residence registration.
11. Information on the number of dependents of the applicant, as well as changes in their number over the last three years.
12. PIT-37 and/or PIT-28 for the last three years prior to the application, along with proof of submission of declarations — UPO.
13. Marriage certificate and children's birth certificates.
14. If the applicant is married, documents confirming the income of the husband or wife and the legality of their employment may also be required.

The list may also include documents designated in the original as świadectwa pracy, księgi wieczystej, Umowa użyczenia and zaświadczenie o niezaleganiu w podatkach.

Summary and context

Thus, preparation for applying for the EU long-term resident card involves not only collecting basic documents but also detailed confirmation of income stability, employment, insurance, housing, and continuity of legal residence in Poland.

It is worth noting that in Poland, applications for the CUKR card for Ukrainians began to be accepted from 4 May 2026. The period of residence under this document counts towards the experience required to obtain EU long-term resident status.