Can I travel within the Schengen area with a karta pobytu?

A valid residence card together with a valid travel document lets you travel within the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, subject to entry conditions. It does not grant the right to work in other Schengen countries.

Residence Permit (Karta Pobytu) in Poland

Q: How do I apply since 2026?

Since 27 April 2026, temporary, permanent, and long-term EU resident applications are generally submitted electronically through the MOS portal (mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl), not as ordinary paper applications at a voivodeship office.

Temporary, permanent, and long-term EU resident permits for foreigners in Poland — who qualifies, the MOS portal application, fees, and processing.

Three main permit types

Poland issues residence permits through the Office for Foreigners, now operated via the MOS online system (mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl):

Temporary residence (pobyt tymczasowy) — issued for 1–3 years, tied to a purpose: work, business, studies, family reunification, or other circumstances. Renewable.
Permanent residence (pobyt stały) — indefinite, granted under specific statutory categories (e.g., Polish spouse, dependent child of a Polish citizen, long-term EU resident card holders). Permanent residence does not generally require a Polish language certificate.
Long-term EU resident (rezydent długoterminowy UE) — a separate status requiring, among other things, 5 years of continuous legal stay, stable and regular income, health insurance, and a B1 Polish certificate. Do not confuse this with permanent residence.

Applying through MOS

Since 27 April 2026, applications for these permits are generally submitted electronically through the MOS portal:

Create a MOS account and authenticate via login.gov.pl (Profil Zaufany or a qualified signature).
Complete the digital application and attach scans (digital photo, travel document, proof of purpose, insurance, income).
Pay the stamp duty (oplata skarbowa) and the residence card fee through the system.
You may be called to appear in person to give fingerprints and present originals.

The physical residence card (karta pobytu) is issued after a positive decision; it is distinct from the permit decision itself.

Fees (current)

Stamp duty for the permit decision: generally 340–640 PLN depending on permit type.
Residence card issuance: 100 PLN.
Confirm the exact amounts for your case on the MOS fees page.

What you submit (digitally, via MOS)

Valid travel document (scan).
Digital biometric photograph.
Proof of purpose (employment contract, business registration, university enrolment, marriage certificate).
Proof of stable and regular income.
Proof of health insurance (NFZ or equivalent).
Correspondence address for delivery of the decision.

After you apply

You receive a stamp in your passport confirming your application is in process; this legalises your stay in Poland while the case is pending. It does not by itself authorise crossing the border or Schengen travel. Decisions are sent to the correspondence address you provide in MOS.

Processing time varies by permit type, office, completeness, and any procedural suspensions; treat any specific estimate as indicative only.

EU vs. non-EU

EU/EEA/Swiss nationals register their stay (not a permit) if staying over 3 months, via a separate procedure at the local office. Non-EU nationals use the permit system above.

Appeals

If refused, you may appeal in writing through the issuing voivode to the Head of the Office for Foreigners within 14 days of receiving the decision, then to the administrative court. Consider a lawyer specialising in migration law.

This article is informational and not legal advice. Always confirm with the relevant authority.