Permanent residence permit of the EU/Poland and language tests

Dear all,

Since I will be living in Poland for 5 consecutive years soon, I would like to apply for a permanent residency permit in EU. As all non-EU foreigners have already concerned with, Polish immigration office requests us to acquire B1 level of Polish Language at least.

It is not fair because one of my American colleague got one last year without a language test although he cannot speak Polish. If we knew that language requirement, we could have leant Polish much earlier!

My question is, could the language tests be exempted for those who arrived in Poland before last year?

Thank you very much for your help!

Nope The regulations changed (as part of a general EU-wide push towards requiring language competency for long term residency by non-EU citizens), so you'll need to pass the B1 exam in Polish.

Frankly it's not even difficult to get to B1. A year of learning regularly should be enough.

Thanks delphiandomine,

If I were a student having a plenty of time for studying, 1 year-long polish lessons would have been enough to acquire B1 level. But as a full-timer, having family, actually I took 2.5 years to finish an A2 level book with my private polish teacher. It still makes me feel unfair since I have paid tax a lot...

I wonder if there are expats who has had a similar situation?

So I will have to go to a language centres to take the test, right? Or any language schools in Krakow are available for just taking the test? Components of the test? Writing, speaking, listening etc? How is the test graded, per components?

Any information is very appreciated, thanks.

Last year? I think this regulation changed many years ago. I've been in Poland for a long time and have recently sat the B1 language test. Ever since I came to Poland the knowledge of polish B1 has been a requirement as I checked this back then. I've been here for more than 5 years now just for reference.

The next state exam is November 17th - 18th in case you were wondering. However, if you've been here for 5 years I would imagine that you would be at that level now? I never had any Polish lessons and learned more than enough. Ok, it took time, repetition and talking to many, many people, however, it's possible.

I don't know your situation, so I can't really comment, however, are you sure you aren't being too hard on yourself and that you're actually already at a high enough level to sit the B1.

It changed for citizenship in 2013, but the rules surrounding the granting of long term residence permits changed last year.

Oh, good to know.

It doesn't matter now as I've passed the dreaded test. However, I wouldn't have qualified back in 2013 anyway as I hadn't been here anywhere near long enough.

a sample can be found here: certyfikatpolski.pl/dla-zdajacych/przykladowe-testy-zbiory-zadan

from somebody who did the exam recently:
partnersontheroad.com/2018/09/19/polish-b1-certificate

jgrabner, thank you for the blog, which is very helpful. Although he mentioned a school in Warsaw, do you know any (good) language schools which provide an intensive course for certificate B1? VARIA may be an option, but I have heard sometimes that they are not really good... Exams taken place in November in Krakow would be still a chance if I just add some more knowledge/techniques to pass the exams!

i would like to inquire if i dont pass the B1 polish exam, can i retake again the exam till i passed? are there limits in taking the B1 polish exam or none till i passed? thank you very much!

in few words. Polish government want to limit the number of permanent card issued, plus in other explanation they want to make life even harder for foreigners, to don't let them have a chance in this Eldorado. however, as foreigner i feel i don't have equal chance as an EU in term of getting contract, offers and promotions, i'm working in a company for almost 6 years. and just blocked for internal promotions, since every single move, need work permit. the only way guys, to invest from your time to learn and to get B1, (i hope they won't increase the level to B2 this year, as i heard some rumors about change again in immigration law)

fingers crossed guys