Karta Stałego Pobytu - Polish heritage and permanent resident permit in Poland

Hello! Long time stalker on these forums, but my first time posting.

I'm looking to move to Poland next year and as such I plan to apply for a permanent residence card, i.e. karta stałego pobytu, based on my Polish heritage. I've scoured the internet hoping to find posts from people who have been through the process, but haven't found much of anything. Seems like everyone is interested in automatic Polish citizenship by descent, but seldom few actually want to go the route of settling in Poland and eventually earning their citizenship :( I was wondering if anyone out there has been through this process already and could provide some insight?

I was recently in Poland taking a language course at the B2 level. I'm hoping to pass the C1 exam when I go back next year. So, I think I've got the language requirement squared away. However, I was wondering how rigorous the questioning at the residency interview will be. I found an online resource (Migrant.info.pl) with sample interview questions, but I was wondering if anyone had any suggested reading materials to better prepare myself. I've been reading a few books on Polish history and also recently purchased a book on Polish customs and folklore. But it would be great if I could give my studies some structure :)

Also, is it advisable to hire an attorney in Poland while going through the process?

Thank you in advance!

That is not going to happen. Your Polish heritage is irrelevant in obtaining a residence permit.

Permanent residence is granted only after five years of temporary residence, for which you will need a real job with a real contract with an employer that is willing to go through the hassle of getting a work permit for you. And you have to get that job before you come to Poland. You are not allowed to look for work on a tourist visa.

I am assuming you are not from the EU or one of the former Soviet Republics. When asking questions like this, it helps if you state where you are from. It makes a huge difference.

I should have specified that I am from the U.S. My apologies!

As far as the Polish heritage is concerned, I believe you may be mistaken.

According to the Urząd do spraw cudzoziemców:


udsc.gov.pl/cudzoziemcy/obywatele-panstw-trzecich/chce-osiedlic-sie-w-polsce/zezwolenie-na-pobyt-staly/dla-cudzoziemca-posiadajacego-polskie-pochodzenie/

Yes, but I don't think you can get permanent residence right away. You have to get a 'Pole's Card' Karta Polaka first. That's valid for ten years but once you have that you can work in Poland without a work permit and you can apply for permanent residence. Why don't you just get that and see how you like living in Poland for a couple of years?

But actually I'm not sure if it's issued to American citizens.

Dominic, I'm sorry, but you're wrong here. There actually is a provision in the permanent residency law for people that can be claimed as Polish to obtain permanent residency.


It's straightforward. You need to have at least one Polish (as in ethnically Polish, not a Polish citizen) grandparent or two great-grandparents to be eligible - or they have to have been Polish citizens (if they weren't ethnically Polish).

migrant.info.pl/polish-descent-2440.html - there's more details here, though it's mixed up with information about the Karta Polaka. And here - migrant.info.pl/permanent-residence-permit.html

Generally speaking, it's not much to worry about - they'll only interrogate you if there's something wrong with your application. Make sure to submit proof of Polish skills, but if you turn up speaking Polish at B2+ level, it's likely that the interview will be a short one. They're simply looking for you to show that you have a link to the Polish nation, so of course, it's good to be able to talk about what you've done in the USA to connect to Poland, etc etc.


He can, interestingly enough. It's in place specifically for those who can't get citizenship, but who can be claimed as Polish. I think it's quite fair, especially as it doesn't give any rights outside of Poland.

Thank you for your insightful response, delphiandomine! Yes, my grandpa's mother and father came from what is now Poland and were ethnically Polish (I have plenty of documentation to back my claim). So I had no doubts about my eligibility to at least apply, despite what the naysayers here may think ;) I want to thank you for actually answering my question, which concerned what I should expect going through the process. The Polonia community where I live isn't especially active, but I travel to Poland almost every year to spend time with extended family there. Hopefully that will be enough to demonstrate my connection to Poland (in addition to my study of the language and culture).

It should be more than enough. There's no harm in taking along some details of trips that you've made and what you did on those trips, but in general, they're simply looking for you to show a connection. Spending time with family here will be a massive plus.

The bigger problem - expect a delay of at least a year before you'll get the residence permit issued. There are serious problems at the minute, and during that time, you can't leave Poland.