Family Reunification in Poland — Residence Permit for a Foreigner's Spouse and Children

If you live in Poland legally and want to bring your spouse or minor children to join you, you can apply for a temporary residence permit for the purpose of family reunification (Art. 159 of the Act on Foreigners). The competent voivode issues the decision (based on the applicant's place of residence). This guide explains who can apply, what conditions the sponsor (the foreigner already living in Poland) must meet, and how the whole process works.

Note for Ukrainians under temporary protection (UKR / CUKR status). This track may not be the right one for you — or it may require extra steps. Details in the section below.

How Long Is the Permit Granted For?

The validity of the permit is tied to the sponsor's status:

• the sponsor holds temporary residence → the family permit is generally granted for a period matching the sponsor's permit;
• the sponsor holds permanent residence, EU long-term resident status, refugee status, subsidiary protection, or humanitarian-grounds residence consent → the permit is granted for 3 years.

Who Can Be a Sponsor?

The sponsor can be a foreigner residing in Poland on the basis of:

• permanent residence;
• EU long-term resident status;
• refugee status;
• subsidiary protection;
• humanitarian-grounds residence consent;
• consecutive temporary residence permits — totaling at least 2 years, with the most recent one immediately before the application lasting no less than 1 year (this also covers a standard combined residence-and-work permit);
• an EU Blue Card;
• a permit for scientific research;
• intra-company transfer (ICT).

Who Can Apply for the Permit?

Spouse of a Foreigner (Non-EU)

Can apply for temporary residence for family reunification if the sponsor is living in Poland on a qualifying basis. Only a person in a marriage recognized by Polish law is eligible: two people of different sexes, with the capacity to marry, in a legally registered union, non-polygamous, and not exclusively religious in character.

A widowed, divorced, or legally separated person who already holds this permit can apply for a new one in their own right, independent of the sponsor (Art. 161(2)), if they demonstrate a valid interest. It's granted once, for a period of up to 3 years.

Minor Children of a Foreigner

Can apply for residence for family reunification if they are:

• a child of the foreigner and their spouse living in Poland (including an adopted child);
• a child of the foreigner who is dependent on them, and over whom they exercise actual parental authority;
• a child of the foreigner's spouse (a stepchild), who is dependent on them and under their actual parental authority.

Actual parental authority means real, day-to-day care of the child — more than just the right to contact.

Sponsor Requirements — Income and Housing

The sponsor must demonstrate: legal title to accommodation suitable for the family (rental or ownership), stable and regular income without recourse to social assistance (threshold: PLN 1,010/month with no dependents, or PLN 823 for themselves and for each additional family member), and health insurance for themselves and the family members being brought over.

Required Documents

• Basic: a biometric photo (35×45 mm, no older than 6 months), a copy of every used page of the passport, proof of accommodation.
• Family relationship: a marriage certificate or the child's birth certificate — translated by a sworn translator; documents on actual parental authority, where applicable; a copy of the sponsor's residence document.
• Ability to support the family (sponsor): an employment certificate or other proof of income, confirmation of legal title to accommodation, health insurance.

The exact list depends on the category and the voivodeship office — check the current list on your own office's website.

Fees

For the permit you pay two separate fees, to two separate accounts — MOS (Moduł Obsługi Spraw — the government case-handling portal) explicitly stresses that this is not a single combined amount:

• stamp duty: PLN 340;
• residence-card issuance fee: PLN 100.

Pay both before submitting the application — in MOS you attach proof of both transfers to your application.

The card fee can be halved (50% discount) for minors under 16, pupils/students, and in documented cases of financial hardship.

Didn't pay the stamp duty when filing? The voivode won't reject the application outright — you'll get 7–14 days to fix it before it's returned.

How to Apply?

Since 27 April 2026, applications for foreigners residing in Poland are filed through the MOS portal (mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl). You sign the application with a trusted profile (Profil Zaufany) or a qualified electronic signature. The sole party to the proceedings is the applicant themselves — they cannot be replaced by a representative or a spouse. An applicant outside Poland files on paper, outside MOS.

The voivode summons you for a visit: original documents, fingerprints, a signature specimen, completing any deficiencies. Visits are capped at a maximum of two — biometrics and card collection. Children under 6 don't have to appear in person and aren't fingerprinted, and children under 13 don't provide a signature.

The office has 60 days from the filing of a complete application to decide (30 days for the spouse of someone using long-term mobility as an EU Blue Card holder). Your stay while waiting for the decision is legal.

Notes for Ukrainians Under Temporary Protection (UKR / CUKR Status)

If you're under temporary protection, the situation is more complex. Minors with a valid UKR status can apply through this track if they meet all the requirements. But those who have held UKR status continuously for at least 365 days and held it on 4 June 2025 may instead consider converting temporary protection into temporary residence under special rules (CUKR). This dedicated path is often more favorable than the standard family-reunification track.

Every situation is different. Consult a migration organization or a lawyer before filing.

After the Permit Is Granted

After a positive decision, the family member receives a residence card: they can live legally in Poland for the duration of the permit, travel within the Schengen area for up to 90 days in every 180-day period, take up employment (as a rule, without a separate work permit), and access public services.

Before the permit expires, you need to file a new application if you plan to stay longer. The permit does not renew automatically.

This article is for informational purposes and is not legal advice. Immigration rules change — always check the latest information at gov.pl/udsc and the MOS portal before filing. For complex cases, consult a lawyer or an organization supporting foreigners.

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