Who the requirement applies to

For an EU long-term resident permit you must have confirmed knowledge of the Polish language (Art. 211 para. 1 point 3 of the Act on Foreigners). The requirement does not apply to a child who on the day of the application had not reached the age of 16 (Art. 211 para. 4).

Which documents the law accepts

You confirm your knowledge of Polish with one of three kinds of documents (Art. 211 para. 3):

  1. A certificate at least at level B1 from the list in the regulation of the Minister of the Interior (Dz.U. 2023 poz. 1076). The list includes:
    • the state certificate of proficiency in Polish as a foreign language,
    • ECL and TELC certificates,
    • a university certificate of knowledge of Polish after passing classes in Polish as a foreign language (a university approved to admit foreigners for studies or not subject to approval),
    • a sworn translator's certificate of qualification or a certificate of entry on the list of sworn translators.
  2. A certificate of completion of a school in Poland with Polish as the language of instruction (except a post-secondary school) or a diploma of studies in Poland with Polish as the language of instruction.
  3. A school certificate or university diploma from abroad with Polish as the language of instruction, equivalent to a Polish school or university (also except a post-secondary school).

The state certificate

The state certificate is issued by the State Commission for the Certification of Proficiency in Polish as a Foreign Language after passing an exam (Art. 11a paras. 1 and 2 of the Polish Language Act). A graduate of studies in Polish in Poland or of certain schools with Polish can get the certificate without an exam, on an application submitted through the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (Art. 11a para. 4 and Art. 11aa).

B1 for EU resident vs B1 for citizenship

The list of documents for citizenship is different and narrower - for example, ECL and TELC certificates are not enough there. If you plan both procedures, see Polish at B1 for citizenship.