If your Karta Pobytu has been lost, stolen or damaged, you must report it and apply for a replacement.
Losing the plastic card does not automatically cancel your residence permit, but you are required to notify the authorities and request a new card within the legal deadlines.
🚨 Step 1 – Report the loss to the Police
Go to the nearest Police station as soon as possible, especially if the card was stolen.
Tell the officer that your Polish residence card has been lost or stolen.
Ask for written confirmation of the report.
The Police report may be required by the Voivodeship Office and can protect you if someone attempts to use your document. Some Voivodeship Offices describe the Police confirmation as optional, but official regional guidance recommends reporting both theft and loss to the Police.
Bring:
- Passport or another identity document
- Copy or photo of the lost card if available
- Information about where and when the card disappeared
🏛️ Step 2 – Notify the authority that issued the card
You must report the loss or damage within 3 days from the date it occurred.
Submit the official notification form to the Urząd Miasta.
If your card was issued in connection with humanitarian stay, contact the competent Border Guard unit instead.
📄 Step 3 – Get confirmation that the card was reported missing
After reporting the loss or damage, the authority should issue a free certificate confirming the notification.
The certificate is valid:
- Until the new card is issued
- For no longer than 2 months
Keep this certificate with your passport while waiting for the replacement card.
The certificate confirms that you reported the missing document, but it is not a replacement travel document.
📝 Step 4 – Apply for replacement of the card
You must submit an application for replacement of the Karta Pobytu within 14 days after losing or damaging it.
Use the official form:
Wniosek o wydanie lub wymianę karty pobytu
In the application, select the reason:
- Loss of the card
- Theft of the card
- Damage to the card
The application concerns only replacement of the plastic card. It does not reopen your residence permit case.
Submit the application to the Voivodeship Office responsible for your current place of residence.
Depending on the office, you may be able to:
- Submit it personally
- Send it by registered post
- Book an appointment
🪪 Step 5 – Collect the replacement card
The new Karta Pobytu is usually collected personally.
Bring:
- Valid passport
- Previous temporary confirmation if requested
- The damaged card if you still have it
The new card normally keeps the validity period of your existing residence permit. Replacing the card does not extend your legal stay.
📑 Documents Required
You will usually need:
- Completed application form
- Valid passport + copy
- 2 biometric photographs
- Confirmation that the card was reported lost or stolen
- Police report if available
- Copy or scan of the lost card if available
- Copy of your residence decision if requested
- Proof of registered address if you want the address shown on the card
The standard fee for issuing or replacing a residence card is:
- 100 PLN
If the loss or damage was considered your fault:
- 200 PLN for the first culpable loss or destruction
- 300 PLN for another culpable loss or destruction
A reduced fee of 50 PLN may apply to:
- Students
- Children under 16
- People in a difficult financial situation