Family Reunification in Poland — Residence Permit for Spouse and Children

If you are legally living in Poland and want your spouse or minor children to join you — or to remain in Poland with you — you can apply for a temporary residence permit for the purpose of family reunification. This guide explains who qualifies, what requirements the sponsor (the foreigner already residing in Poland) must meet, and how the process works.

Note for Ukrainians under temporary protection (UKR / CUKR status). If you or your family members are covered by temporary protection in Poland, the standard family reunification track may not be the right path — or may require additional steps. Details in the section below. If in doubt, consult a migration organisation or a lawyer.

What is family reunification in the context of a residence permit?

The temporary residence permit for the purpose of family reunification (Article 159 of the Act on Foreigners) allows certain family members to join or continue to live in Poland together with a person who is legally resident there on a qualifying basis. The permit is issued as an administrative decision by the competent voivodeship governor (właściwy wojewoda), based on the applicant's place of residence in Poland.

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

• If the sponsor holds a temporary residence permit — the family permit is granted for a period corresponding to the sponsor's permit validity.
• If the sponsor holds permanent residence, long-term EU resident status, or refugee status — the family permit is granted for 3 years.

Who can be a sponsor?

The sponsor (the person already in Poland whom the family member is joining) must be residing in Poland on one of the following qualifying bases:

• Permanent residence permit (pobyt stały);
• Long-term EU resident permit (rezydent długoterminowy UE);
• Refugee status or subsidiary protection;
• Humanitarian residence consent;
• Consecutive temporary residence permits for at least 2 years, with the most recent permit granted for a period of at least 1 year;
• Temporary residence permit for work in a profession requiring high qualifications (EU Blue Card);
• Temporary residence permit for the purpose of scientific research;
• Temporary residence permit for intra-company transfer (ICT).

Who can apply for the permit (eligible persons)?

Spouse of a foreigner (non-EU)

The spouse of a foreigner who is residing in Poland on a qualifying basis may apply for a temporary residence permit for family reunification.

Important — definition of spouse. Under Polish law, a spouse is only a person in a marriage recognised by Polish law: it must be a marriage between two persons of different sexes, registered in accordance with the law, non-polygamous, not exclusively religious in nature, and entered into by persons with legal capacity. (Source: mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl)

Minor children of a foreigner

Minor nationals of third countries may apply for a family reunification residence permit if they are:

• A child of the foreigner and their spouse residing in Poland (including adopted children);
• A child of the foreigner who is dependent on the foreigner, and the foreigner exercises actual parental authority over the child;
• A child of the foreigner's spouse (stepchild), whom the parent supports and over whom the parent exercises actual parental authority.

Actual parental authority means real, ongoing care of the child — providing living conditions, health care, upbringing, and guidance. It is not the same as exercising visitation rights. (Source: mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl)

Sponsor requirements — income and housing

The sponsor must demonstrate the ability to support the family in Poland. The law requires:

• Housing — legal title to suitable accommodation (rental contract, ownership) adequate for the family;
• Income / means of subsistence — stable and sufficient resources to support themselves and the incoming family members without recourse to social assistance;
• Health insurance — for themselves and the family members being brought to Poland.

Required documents

Every application requires a core set of documents. For family reunification, additional documents confirm the family relationship and the sponsor's status.

Core documents (applicant):

• Biometric photo — 35×45 mm, light background, taken within the last 6 months
• Valid passport — copy of all used pages
• Proof of accommodation in Poland

Documents proving the family relationship:

• Marriage certificate — translated into Polish by a sworn translator (for a spouse)
• Birth certificate — translated into Polish by a sworn translator (for minor children)
• Documents confirming actual parental authority — where applicable
• Copy of the sponsor's residence document (residence permit / karta pobytu)

Documents confirming the sponsor's ability to support the family:

• Employment certificate or other proof of income
• Proof of legal title to accommodation
• Health insurance

The exact document list varies by application category and voivodeship office. Always check the current checklist on your voivodeship's website before submitting.

Fees

The stamp duty (opłata skarbowa) for a temporary residence permit for family reunification is 340 zł plus a card issuance fee of 100 zł (50 zł for minors under 16). Total: 440 zł per adult, 390 zł per child under 16.

How to apply

From 27 April 2026, applications for foreigners residing in Poland are submitted via the MOS portal (mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl). The application is signed using a Trusted Profile (Profil Zaufany) or a qualified electronic signature. The party to the proceedings is solely the applicant (the foreigner applying for residence) — they cannot be replaced by a representative or spouse.

If the applicant is outside Poland — the application is submitted in paper form outside MOS to the competent consul or office.

After submission, the voivodeship will summon the applicant to the office to:

1. Present original documents
2. Provide fingerprints and a signature sample (biometrics)
3. Supplement the application with any missing documents

After a complete application is submitted on time — residence in Poland during the waiting period is considered legal.

Notes for Ukrainians under temporary protection (UKR / CUKR status)

If you are covered by temporary protection in Poland (UKR or CUKR status), the situation is more nuanced:

• Minors holding a valid UKR status may apply for a temporary residence permit for family reunification — but only if all requirements are met.
• Minors who have held UKR status continuously for at least 365 days and held it on 4 June 2025 may consider converting temporary protection into a temporary residence permit under special rules (CUKR). (Source: mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl)
• Children and family members of Ukrainians under temporary protection may have their own UKR/CUKR path — separate from the standard family reunification track for non-EU foreigners.

Every situation is different. If you or your family members are under temporary protection and considering a status change or family reunification, consult a migration organisation or a lawyer specialising in immigration law before applying.

After the permit is granted

After a positive decision, the family member receives a karta pobytu (residence card) authorising legal residence in Poland. With the card, the holder can:

• Reside legally in Poland for the full duration of the permit
• Travel within the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period
• Take up employment (as a general rule — without a separate work permit, though this should be confirmed for the specific situation)
• Access other benefits and public services

Before the permit expires, a new application must be submitted to continue residing in Poland. The permit does not renew automatically.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Immigration regulations change — always check the latest information at gov.pl/udsc and the MOS portal before applying. For complex cases, consult a lawyer or an organisation supporting foreigners in Poland.

← Back to blog