EU citizen's residency Registration Certificate: Poland application form

Does anybody have a link to downloadable application forms for this vital piece of paper? I can find instructions about how to apply but can't for the life of me see where to download the application form from. Help? My five-year card expires next month and I can't register my car for longer than three months without this bit of paper.

Also, how long does it take them to issue the things? Is it on the spot? Or would that be too logical and organised for Poland?

Harry,


You have to collect the form in person. Get all the documents that you provided last time and "5" not 4 photo's this time. It takes about 2-3 months and will involve an unannounced police visit to you home address to make sure that you do not represent a security threat to Poland.

When you get the letter telling you to pick you piece of paper up, remember to take your passport with you as they only have 15 copies already. They will open your file in front of you with your picture on the front page and then ask you for identification.

I felt like dragging the little bastard over the counter.

Two months? Just to issue a piece of paper confirming that I have registered my legal right to reside in Poland?!

And a police visit yet again? They've only visited me three times before at that same address. Good luck finding me at home (rather than in the office) and even better luck getting me to answer the door.

You are talking about the residency registration certificate and not the long-term resident’s EC residence permit aren't you?

Errm - weird.

I'm just going thru this process myself :)

To avoid confusion - there are 2 options available and it is best if you can go to the office in person and ask which of the two is best for you.

Option 1
Document certifying right to stay in Poland (unlimited duration)
No photos. Cost PLN 1, by bank transfer, bizarrely. Application to be done in 4 copies.
Option 2
Registration of permanent stay (I think that's what the woman said)
This is valid for 10 years and you need photos.

Mazowiecki "voivodship" puts karta pobytu renewal application forms online but, as I found out, these are NOT what you want. That refers to renewal of any karta pobytu issued years and years ago. Whatever - probably applies to 2 and a third Ukrainians.

It takes about 3 weeks to issue the necessary document.
As I'm married to a Pole, I had to show documentary evidence of this. As I have my marriage registered on their own Mazowiecki database, they didn't demand that I get an aktualny wypis showing that I'm not divorced. Also: take a couple of photocopies of passports/karta pobytu and your meldunek (original and photocopy).

And smile - it helps.

Usually, no, there isn't two options available. But in Harry's case (as the 5 year card is expiring) - then yes, there is. In fact, some offices won't even allow another 5 years - they'll insist on going for permanent residency. But for most ordinary people, they can only register for 5 years in the first instance.


Harry, don't reapply for the 5 year piece of paper, it's a waste of time. You want to go for the permanent residency paper instead - it's valid for 10 years and involves pretty much the same nonsense as the temporary EU residence permit - so you might as well go for the piece of paper that lasts for longer ;)

Not sure I want that to be honest: getting one of those means that to the UK I've acknowledged that I'm permanently resident outside the UK, which can have bad side effects (to give one example, if I were to need serious surgery, I'd be on the next plane back to the UK). Also, I don't want to be showing permanent resident ID to the police etc.

Most importantly, I need this bit of joy by no later than 1 December to avoid having to re-register my car twice (instead of just once).

Harry - the difference between the two option is essentially that you can buy land in otherwise protected areas if you go for option 2.

Are you living permanently in Poland?

Delhidopamine - you can't re-apply for a 5-year card. That's not an option. Change of regulations.

As for operations/illness, you probably wouldn't be in a fit condition to travel. I have had all my cancer treatment in Warsaw. Faster here too. I got next-day operation.

There's no restrictions anymore for EU citizens, as far as I understood?


In theory, you can't - the letter of the law says that you must apply for the permanent residency certificate. But in practice, as always, it depends on the situation - if you don't apply for permanent residency within 6 months of the expiration of the temporary residence permit, then you simply go back to square 1.

(and of course, they might just process a renewal of the temporary residency certificte too - depends on who is dealing with it)

Re land - there are various transition arrangements affecting foreigners until 2014.

Land for the purpose of constructing a second home, forest land, land in border areas - from the top of my head. Can't swear to them as they don't directly affect me. Whereas residency does.

Some help please! I've read this thread with some concern. I have a 5 year temporary "Zaświadczenia o zarejestrowaniu pobytu obywatela Unii Europejskiej". I still have a year left on it, so the process of re-applying is not of immediate concern.

But I am worried that when the time comes to renew I will be forced to re-apply for a "permanent residency". Do I understand this correctly? My intention was to re-apply for another 5 yr temp residency.

I don't see any upside to permanent residency and there are tax implications associated with the permanent residency which I do not wish to encounter.

What are the tax implications? I wasn't aware of there being any difference whatsoever between the "temporary" and "permanent" residency.

As far as I'm aware, the only implication arises when you live here for more than 185 days - regardless of being officially resident or not.

Yes if you are in Poland more than 185 days in a year the Urzad Skarbowy considers you tax resident in Poland and taxes all of your global income, both active and passive. But this does not apply to gifts and inheritance.

This is the only difference I am aware of, but I suppose there could well be others, and I see no need for a rude surprise. I'm happy as a temp resident.

There are none - Poland's tax system doesn't have such absurdities such as being a "non-dom" despite living in the UK. It's all based on residency - if you hit the 185 day limit, then you're resident and subject to Polish taxation. If not, then you're not resident for taxation purposes.

Permanent residency really does carry no implication at all - for taxation purposes, you'll be taxed the same as a temporary or permanent resident.

Interesting, because the Urzad Skarbowy is adamant that in the instance that someone is a tax resident, but not a permanent resident of Poland, that no tax is due to Poland for gifts or inheritance outside the territory of Poland from non-tax residents.

For example – Your great Aunt Agnes in Sydney drops dead and leaves you a house, complete with 50 cats (or alternatively she gifts you money). You may have estate tax issues with Australia, but Poland will not attempt to tax the inheritance / gift if you are a temporary resident. The situation would be different if you were a permanent resident, or Aunt Agnes was living in Poland, or if the house she gave you was in Poland. Well, this is what I have been told directly from the Tax Office. I’m interested to know if someone has heard differently.