The Pole’s Card is a document that confirms its owner’s belonging to the Polish nation. It is issued to foreigners who prove they have Polish roots or a special interest in the Polish language and customs.
Below are the benefits of having one. You will also find information about who is entitled to obtain it, how it can be obtained, its cost, how long it is valid, and answers to frequently asked questions about it.
What rights does the Pole’s Card provide?
Holders of this card are entitled to:
- Get employed in Poland without the obligation to obtain a work permit.
- Register and possess a sole proprietorship in Poland under the same rules as Polish citizens.
- Access to the Polish educational system: education in schools and higher and doctoral studies, as well as other forms of education on the same terms as Poles (while not losing the opportunity to apply for scholarships intended for foreigners) .
- Access to health care services (National Health Fund) in case of emergency.
- An additional discount (of 37%) for train travel in Poland on the basis of a one-way ticket.
- Free admission to Polish state museums.
They can also receive:
- In cases of danger to their lives or safety – an assistance of the Polish Consul in the observance of customs and international law within the scope of the Consul’s competence;
- A fee waiver for consular and official fees (submitting and processing applications for a national visa to exercise rights under the Card of the Pole, submitting and processing applications for permanent residence permits and Polish citizenship).
- A monetary benefit for partial coverage of living expenses in Poland in case of application for permanent residence. Cash benefits are paid for a maximum of 9 months.
- Priority in applying for material assistance intended to support Poles abroad.
Who can obtain a Pole’s Card?
People who have lost their Polish citizenship, as well as their children, grandchildren and even great-grandchildren can apply for a Pole’s Card, provided that they confirm and document their origin.
There are situations in which people without Polish ancestry can also receive the document. For example, people who have made significant contributions to the development of Poland or are active in promoting Polish culture and language can be honored with a Pole’s Card.
A Pole’s Card can be obtained by a stateless person, as well as those who do not have Polish citizenship or a permanent residence permit in Poland.
How to obtain a Pole’s Card?
The appropriate application should be submitted to the Polish Embassy or Consulate in the country of your legal residence. The application can also often be submitted online, through the Consulate’s online portal.
A Pole’s Card can be issued to a person who:
– Feels a sense of belonging to the Polish nation and has at least elementary knowledge of the Polish language, which them consider their native language, and cultivates Polish traditions and customs.
– Submits a written declaration of belonging to the Polish nation.
– Proves that at least one of their parents or grandparents or two great-grandparents is/was of Polish nationality.
– Submits a statement that neither them nor their ancestors repatriated or were repatriated from the territory of the Republic of Poland on the basis of resettlement agreements concluded in 1944-1957.
If the applicant for a Pole’s Card does not have Polish ancestry, they may submit a certificate from a Polish or Polish diaspora organization (one of those indicated on the relevant list) confirming that for at least the last three years they have been involved in activities for the Polish language and culture or for the Polish national minority.
Can a minor get a Card?
– A Pole’s Card for children can be issued at the request of the parents, if they both have it. If only one parent has a Pole’s Card, the other parent must consent to its issuance in the presence of a Polish consul or a voivode (if the other parent is deprived of or has no parental rights, his consent is not necessary).
– The card can also be issued to a minor if it is shown that at least one of the parents, grandparents or two great-grandparents of their deceased parent were Poles or of Polish nationality. In such a case, the application on behalf of the minor is submitted by the surviving parent or legal representative.
How much does it cost?
At all stages, the procedure for obtaining a Pole’s Card is free of charge and no fees are required.
How long is it valid?
The card is valid for 10 years after it is granted. No later than 3 months before the expiration date, you must apply to renew it for another 10 years.
A Pole’s Card issued to a minor is valid for 10 years or until one year after the minor reaches the age of majority. Upon reaching the age of 18, the holder should apply for renewal of the card no later than within 9 months.
If a Pole’s Card is issued to a person who has already reached the age of 65, such a card is valid indefinitely.
Procedure for renewal of the Pole’s Card
The first step is to submit an application to the Polish consulate in the country. This application must be submitted in person by the person holding the card, and must include all the necessary attachments. If submitted application is incorrectly filled out or does not contain the appropriate documents, the consul has the right to reject it.
Note that the renewal of the Pole’s Card requires a consular fee. The amount of this fee depends on the country in which the application is submitted and the current exchange rate.
After submitting the application and paying the consular fee, it is necessary to pick up the new Pole’s Card at the Polish consulate. It is worth remembering that the whole process can take some time, so it is advisable to start it well in advance of the card’s expiration date.
What should you do if you lose or destroy your Pole’s Card?
The holder must report this fact as soon as possible to the relevant provincial office or the appropriate consulate and apply for its replacement or issuance. The relevant consulate (or voivode) will issue a duplicate card at the owner’s request.
Persons who have reached the age of majority and apply for a Pole’s Card must provide:
– An application for a Pole’s Card,
– Identity document with photo and its photocopy,
– Documents confirming the Polish nationality or citizenship of their parents, grandparents or great-grandparents, and any documents confirming kinship with the person indicated by the applicant with photocopies or a certificate from an authorized Polish organization confirming the applicant’s active participation in Polish diaspora activities,
– Documents confirming knowledge of the Polish language and copies thereof (Evidence of language proficiency includes diplomas from Polish schools and colleges or diplomas from abroad schools with Polish language as primary, or certificates of Polish language proficiency; if the applicant does not have any of the above documents, their language skills will be assessed by the consul or their designee during an interview, conducted in Polish and dedicated to Polish traditions and customs).
It is worth remembering that obtaining a Pole’s Card does not guarantee Polish citizenship, the right to reside in the territory of the Republic of Poland nor the right to cross Polish borders without a visa.
