When you have the right to stay over 3 months
An EU citizen has the right to stay longer than 3 months if they meet one of the conditions (Art. 16 of the Act on the entry of EU citizens):
- works in Poland or is self-employed,
- has sufficient resources to support themselves and their family and health insurance (e.g. with the NFZ, under coordination rules or private insurance covering treatment costs),
- studies or is in vocational training and has resources and insurance,
- is the spouse of a Polish citizen.
A person looking for work can stay an additional 6 months, and longer if they show that they are actively looking for work and have a real chance of being employed (Art. 15 para. 1 point 2).
Registration obligation
- If you stay longer than 3 months, you must register your residence (Art. 20 para. 1).
- You submit the application in person to the voivode competent for your place of stay, no later than on the day after 3 months from entry (Art. 21 para. 2 and Art. 39 para. 1).
- You attach documents or written declarations on meeting the conditions of residence and current photographs, and show a valid travel document or identity document (Art. 21 paras. 3 and 4).
- The certificate of registration of residence is issued without delay (Art. 22).
Residence matters of EU citizens are not subject to stamp duty (Art. 2 para. 1 point 1 letter j of the Stamp Duty Act).
Losing your job
After losing your job you keep the right of residence, among others, during illness, in involuntary unemployment registered with the labour office or when you take up education (Art. 17 para. 1). If you worked for less than a year, this right lasts 6 months from registration with the labour office in the case of unemployment (Art. 17 para. 2).
Regardless of the registration of residence, you register your address no later than on the 30th day after arrival - see address registration.