When you replace the card

A residence card is replaced in the event of (Art. 241 of the Act on Foreigners):

  • a change of the data on the card - for example the surname, citizenship or registered address,
  • a change in the appearance of the face to a degree that makes it difficult or impossible to recognise you from the photo,
  • loss of the card - for example it was misplaced or stolen,
  • damage to the card.

The passport number is not among the data on the card (Art. 244 para. 1). Replacing the passport alone therefore does not change the data on the card - see expired passport. When you change your address, see change of address.

Deadlines

  • 14 days - to submit the application for replacement, from the day the reason for replacement arose (Art. 230 para. 1).
  • 3 days - to report the loss or damage of the card (Art. 232 para. 1).
  • 3 days - to report that you have recovered a lost card (Art. 233 para. 1).

Evading replacement of the card and failing to report its loss within 3 days are petty offences punishable by a fine (Art. 465 para. 1 points 4 and 5).

Loss or damage of the card

  1. Report. Within 3 days you notify the authority that issued the card - usually the voivode. You do this on a form (Art. 232 paras. 1 and 4).
  2. Certificate. You receive a free certificate of the report of loss or damage. It is valid until the card is replaced, for at most 2 months (Art. 232 paras. 2 and 3).
  3. Application for replacement. You submit it within 14 days.

A reported card is invalidated on the day of the report (Art. 250 point 1). If you recover it after replacement, return it at once to the authority that issued it (Art. 233 para. 2).

How to submit the application for replacement

  • You submit the application to the voivode competent for your place of stay (Art. 245 para. 3) - not always the one who issued the card.
  • The application contains, among other things, the registered address. You present a valid travel document (passport), attach a current photo and documents confirming the data in the application (Art. 231).
  • With the application you give your fingerprints (Art. 246 para. 1 point 3). Without them the office will refuse to initiate the proceedings (Art. 247). That is why a visit to the office is needed.
  • According to the MOS portal, you download the application form from MOS, and you submit the filled-in and signed application at the office after booking a visit.

Fee

  • 100 PLN - replacing the card (section 2 of the regulation of the Minister of the Interior and Administration (MSWiA) of 26 July 2022 on fees charged to foreigners),
  • 200 PLN - replacement after the card was lost or destroyed through your fault, 300 PLN - in the next such situation (section 5),
  • no fee - when the card had technical defects (Art. 236 para. 1 point 3).

A 50% reduction is available to people in a difficult financial situation, to people whose purpose of stay is study at a secondary school or at a university, and to children under 16 (Art. 237). More: fees.

The end of the card's validity is not a reason for replacement. For temporary residence a new permit is needed, and for permanent residence and EU resident residence - an application for a further card. See: renewing a residence card.