A Karta Polaka (Pole’s Card) is an official document confirming that a foreigner belongs to the Polish Nation.
It is not Polish citizenship, not a residence permit and not a travel document. However, it provides many benefits and allows its holder to later apply for Permanent Residence and for a Ctizienship.
🧬 Who Can Apply
You can apply if you had/have:
- At Least One Polish Parent or
- At Least One Polish Grandparent or
- At Least Two Polish Great-Grandparents
🎁 Benefits Of A Karta Polaka
A Karta Polaka gives you the right to:
- Receive A National Visa Free Of Charge
- Work In Poland Without A Work Permit
- Open A Business Under The Same Rules As Polish Citizens
- Study At Polish Universities for free and apply for scholarships
- Receive Emergency Medical Care
- Visit State Museums Free Of Charge
- Receive Discounts On Railway Tickets and Public Transport (37%)
- Apply For Permanent Residence immediately after arriving in Poland and renting apartment
- Apply for Citizenship after 1-year living with Permanent Residence
- Receive financial support for a whole year after applying for permanent residence
🔢 Step-by-step Guide
- Collect Documents Confirming Polish Origin (see list below)
- Complete The Karta Polaka Application Form
- Book An Appointment At The Polish Consulate
- Attend The Interview In Polish
- Sign A Declaration Confirming Your Belonging To The Polish Nation
- Wait For The Decision
📑 Documents That Can Confirm Polish Origin
Examples include:
- Birth Certificates
- Marriage Certificates
- Baptism Certificates
- Old Polish Passports
- Military Records
- School Documents
- Census Records
- Church Records
- Archival Documents
- Other Documents Confirming Polish Citizenship Or Nationality
⚠️ Along with your relatives’ documents, you must provide proof of kinship. For example, if your great-grandfather was Polish, you will need the following documents:
- Your great-grandfather’s birth and marriage certificates
- The birth and marriage certificates of your grandfather or grandmother (the child of your great-grandfather or great-grandmother)
- The birth and marriage certificates of your parent (the child of your grandfather or grandmother).
- Your own birth certificate
📄 Required Documents for Apply
- Completed Application Form
- Valid Passport (Original + copy)
- 2 Passport Photo
- Language proficiency certificate (If you do not have a certificate, the consul will assess your language proficiency during the interview)
- Documents Confirming Polish Origin
- Documents Confirming Family Relationship
- Additional Documents Requested By The Consul
Documents issued abroad may need to be sworn translated into Polish.
👶🏻 Additional Documents for Children (under 18 y.o.)
- The child’s birth certificate (original and copy)
- The parents’ passports (original and copy)
🗣️ The Interview
Every applicant attends an interview with the consul.
The purpose of the interview is to verify:
- Basic Knowledge Of The Polish Language
- Knowledge Of Polish History
- Knowledge Of National Symbols
- Familiarity With Polish Traditions
- Family Background
- Motivation For Applying
The interview is conducted in Polish.
❓ Questions You May Be Asked
- Tell Me About Yourself
- Why Do You Want A Karta Polaka?
- Who Was Your Polish Ancestor?
- Where Did Your Family Live?
- What Polish Holidays Do You Know?
- What Is The Capital Of Poland?
- Who Wrote The Polish National Anthem?
- What Are Poland’s National Symbols?
- What Traditional Polish Dishes Do You Know?
- What Is Celebrated On 3 May And 11 November?
The consul may also ask general questions about everyday life.
⏳ Validity
A Karta Polaka is generally issued for:
- 10 Years For Adults
- An Unlimited Period For People Over 65
- Minors Receive Cards Valid Until One Year After Turning 18, Unless Extended Earlier
Applications for extension should be submitted before the card expires at Polish Consulate or Urząd Wojewódzki.
💰 Application Fee
Applying for a Karta Polaka is free of charge.