Residence Card Poland 2026: Temporary Stay and Work Permit

A residence card (karta pobytu) based on a temporary residence and work permit (zezwolenie na pobyt czasowy i pracę) lets you live and work legally in Poland for longer than a visa allows. Since 27 April 2026 you apply only online through the MOS system (mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl), and the single permit replaces a separate work permit for your employer.

Key takeaways

One permit = residence + work for the employer named in the decision.
Applications are filed online in MOS only; paper applications are left unprocessed.
You must be legally in Poland on the day you apply.
You need a trusted profile (profil zaufany), a qualified signature or a personal (e-ID) signature to submit.
Fees: stamp duty depending on the permit type + a card fee (usually 100 zł).

What is the temporary residence and work permit?

It is a decision issued by the voivode (wojewoda) of the region where you live. After the decision, you receive a plastic residence card. With a unified permit you do not need a separate work permit for the employer listed in the decision. If you change employer, you usually need to change or apply for a new permit, so talk to the voivodeship office before switching jobs.

Residence card vs work permit vs visa

Document	What it gives	Who applies
Work permit (type A)	Right to work for one employer	Employer, via praca.gov.pl
National D visa	Entry and stay, usually up to 1 year	You, at a consulate abroad
Temporary residence and work permit	Stay + work, longer period, residence card	You, via MOS in Poland

New to these terms? Read our work permit guide and work visa guide.

Basic conditions

To get a temporary residence and work permit you generally need:

A legal stay in Poland when you apply (visa, visa-free travel, earlier permit).
A job with an employer in Poland and a contract or a binding promise of employment.
Pay at least the minimum wage – in 2026 that is 4,806 zł gross per month (or 31.40 zł per hour) for full-time work.
Health insurance – usually provided automatically when the employer registers you with ZUS.
Accommodation – an address where you live in Poland.

Documents you usually need

Valid passport (copy of all used pages).
Recent biometric photo.
Annex filled in by the employer (załącznik nr 1) describing the job.
Employment contract or promise of employment.
Proof of health insurance, if required.
Documents confirming your accommodation.
Proof that the fee was paid.

Foreign-language documents usually need a sworn translation into Polish. The voivodeship office may ask for more documents during the procedure – answer within the deadline written in the letter.

How to apply in MOS – step by step

Create an account on mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl.
Prepare a signing method: a trusted profile, a qualified electronic signature or a personal signature from an e-ID card.
Fill in the application and upload scans of your documents and photo.
The employer fills in their part (the annex) – MOS lets you share it with them.
Pay the stamp duty and upload the proof of payment.
Sign and submit. Save the confirmation (UPO) – it shows the date you applied.
Give your fingerprints at the voivodeship office when invited.
Wait for the decision and then collect your residence card.

The exceptions to online filing are small (for example intra-corporate transfers and family reunification from outside Poland). Everyone else applies through MOS.

Fees

Fee	Amount
Stamp duty (opłata skarbowa) for the permit	Depends on the permit type – check gov.pl or your voivodeship office
Issuing the residence card	Usually 100 zł

Do not pay any “processing fee” to private intermediaries who promise faster decisions – the official fees go to the city office account given by the voivodeship.

Your stay while you wait

If you applied on time while you were legally in Poland and the application had no formal errors, your stay is generally considered legal until the decision. Keep your UPO confirmation and the stamp or note from the office. Note that this does not automatically allow you to travel freely in the Schengen area – ask the office before planning trips.

After you get the card

Carry your card and passport with you.
Inform the office about changes required by law (for example change of address or employer).
Apply for a new permit before the current one expires.
Get a PESEL number if you do not have it yet – read our guide to the PESEL number.

For highly qualified jobs, compare this with the EU Blue Card in Poland.

Official sources

MOS: mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl
Government helpline: Zielona Linia – MOS
Fees and procedures: gov.pl

Next step

A residence card starts with a legal job. Register for free in JobPartner to make your profile visible to employment agencies in Poland, and read our legalization overview. We do not guarantee jobs or permits, but we help you meet employers who hire legally.

FAQ

How do I apply for a residence card in Poland in 2026?

Since 27 April 2026 most temporary residence applications are filed only online in the MOS system (mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl), signed with a trusted profile, qualified signature or personal signature. Paper applications are not processed.

Do I need a separate work permit with a residence card?

No. A temporary residence and work permit is a single permit: it covers both your stay and your work for the employer named in the decision.

How much does a residence card cost?

You pay stamp duty that depends on the type of permit, plus a fee for issuing the card (usually 100 zł). Check the current amounts on gov.pl or your voivodeship office website before paying.

Can I apply for a residence card from abroad?

No. You apply while you are legally staying in Poland, for example on a national visa, visa-free travel or a previous permit.

This article is for information purposes only and is not legal advice. Laws change – check the current rules on gov.pl or ask our recruiter.