Living in Poland
Information for British citizens moving to or living in Poland, including guidance on residency, passports and driving.
This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Poland. Read about how our Embassy in Warsaw can help.
This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Polish authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
Support for British Nationals Abroad: A Guide sets out how British nationals can stay safe abroad and how the FCDO can help if you do get into difficulty.
Read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad.
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Before you go
See our travel advice for Poland for up-to-date information on entry requirements, local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.
If you were living in Poland before 1 January 2021
Some parts of this guide only apply if you have been living in Poland since before 1 January 2021. You should read these in addition to the rest of the guidance in each section.
You should also read our Living in Europe page for detailed guidance about citizens’ rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.
Visas and residency
You must tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.
Check the entry requirements for Poland and read the Polish government’s guidance on moving to Poland, including how to get a visa.
The EU will introduce a new digital border – called the Entry/Exit System (EES). The exact date that EES will be introduced has not been confirmed.
This will require third country nationals, including UK nationals, visiting the EU to create a digital record and provide their biometric data (fingerprints and facial image) at the border when they enter the EU’s Schengen Zone.
UK nationals who are beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement (those who were lawfully resident in the EU before 1 January 2021) will be exempt from registration in EES, provided they hold the correct documentation. You should check the new Office for Foreigners’ guidance for Withdrawal Agreement beneficiaries on the new digital border rules.
We strongly urge all UK nationals, lawfully resident in the EU before 1 January 2021, to apply for the Dokument pobytowy dla beneficjenta umowy wystapienia [a residence permit containing an endorsement referring to the Withdrawal Agreement] if they have not done so yet to avoid difficulties at the border.
UK nationals who hold other residence permits issued to third country nationals under the general system for legal residents also are exempt from EES. You are advised to check the Office for Foreigners’ guidance on residency rules for third-country nationals.
We are aware that some UK nationals applying for a temporary residence permit are waiting longer than the stated time for the permit to be issued. Please apply for your temporary residence permit as soon as possible and check the details carefully when applying to reduce any delays.
Visas and residency if you were living in Poland before 1 January 2021
If you have lived in Poland since before 1 January 2021, you and your family members have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.
From 1 January 2022 you need to re-register your residency if you want to:
- exchange your residence permit for the Dokument pobytowy dla beneficjenta umowy wystapienia residence card, or
- apply for a Dokument pobytowy dla beneficjenta umowy wystapienia residence card
You will need to prove that you have been living in Poland since before 1 January 2021.
Get your Dokument pobytowy dla beneficjenta umowy wystapienia from your local voivodeship office. Read the Polish government’s guidance on how to apply for the Dokument pobytowy dla beneficjenta umowy wystapienia.
If you need further information on how to secure your residency, read the International Organization for Migration’s guidance on residency in Poland.
If you have a health condition or mobility difficulties you can ask someone else to apply on your behalf. Contact your voivodeship office to find out how they can help you.
If the authorities think you may be a Polish national, for example if you have Polish parents, grandparents or great grandparents, they might research your family history. Your application may take longer than usual to process.
Your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement will not be affected if you did not apply by the 31 December 2021 deadline. However, we strongly recommend that you obtain your Dokument pobytowy dla beneficjenta umowy wystapienia as soon as possible. This card shows your right to enter Poland, and exempts you from the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and visa requirements.
If you do not have a Dokument pobytowy dla beneficjenta umowy wystapienia to prove your rights, you may experience delays in, or be refused, government services. Travel within the Schengen area will also be more difficult.
Appeal process
If your request for the Dokument pobytowy dla beneficjenta umowy wystapienia residence card is refused, you have 14 days to appeal from when you receive your notice. Read the Polish government guidance on the appeal process. If your appeal is rejected, you can appeal to the Administrative Court. There is no legal aid in Poland so you will have to pay for your legal costs.
If you have a child in Poland, or are married to a Polish national, you may be eligible for residence for these reasons. Read pages 17 to 19 of the Polish government’s information on residence permit for foreigners.
Family members
Your close family members continue to be able to join you and settle in Poland at any time in the future. Read more information on who this applies to in the Living in Europe guidance.
They must travel to Poland and then apply as your family member. Nationals of certain non-EU countries may need a visa before travel. The Polish authorities should issue family reunion visas free of charge.
Certificate of clear criminal record
You can get a certificate of clear criminal record, also known as a good conduct certificate (zaświadczenie o niekaralności) from the National Criminal Register.
Passports and travel
You can apply for or renew your British passport from Poland.
Read:
- Poland travel advice for passport validity requirements
- Polish government guidance for UK nationals on the rules for crossing the border
Always carry your passport when travelling within the Schengen area. If you have citizenship of an EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) country, in addition to your British citizenship, you should enter and leave Poland using your EU or EFTA passport.
If you stay in Poland with a Polish residence permit or long stay visa, this time does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit for the Schengen area.
If you visit other Schengen area countries outside Poland, make sure you do not exceed the visa-free 90 days in any 180-day period. This applies even if you have a Polish residence permit. You are responsible for counting how long you stay under the Schengen visa waiver, and you must comply with its conditions.
Different rules apply if you are travelling to other EU and Schengen countries as a resident of Poland. Check each country’s travel advice page for information on entry requirements.
If you were living in Poland before 1 January 2021
When you travel, carry your Dokument pobytowy dla beneficjenta umowy wystapienia residence card or frontier worker permit issued under the Withdrawal Agreement, in addition to your valid passport.
You must proactively show your residence document, or other evidence of residence status, if you are asked to show your passport at border control. Other evidence may be your tenancy agreement or a utility bill in your name, dating from 2020. If you have applied for, but not yet received, your residence document, show your certificate of registration.
Read the Polish Border Guards guidance on what documents you should carry when travelling back to Poland to prove you are a resident
If you cannot prove that you are a resident in Poland, you may be asked additional questions at the border to enter the EU. Your passport may be stamped on entry and exit. This will not affect your rights in the country or countries where you live or work. If a passport is stamped, the stamp is considered null and void when you can show evidence of lawful residence. Read EU guidance for UK nationals on entering and leaving the Schengen area.
If you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, you can enter and exit Poland with a valid passport. You do not need any additional validity on the passport beyond the dates on which you are travelling.
Healthcare
You must register for healthcare as a resident in Poland. See guidance on healthcare for UK nationals living in Poland.
If you cannot register for healthcare, you must ensure you have private healthcare cover for Poland. UK Travel insurance providers will not generally cover your healthcare costs if you live overseas.
Read the Polish government guidance on maintaining your healthcare rights in Poland (in Polish).
You should also read guidance on:
Medicine
If you are on a prescription for any medication you should ensure you have a supply of it, or are able to obtain it when in Poland. Certain medicines may not be available in Poland (including major brands readily available in the UK), and you may be prohibited from taking them into the country. You should consult your GP before travelling to Poland to find out about any alternative medication.
Read the guidance if you need to travel with medicines
Working in Poland
If you are planning to move to Poland and work, you may need a visa. Read the Polish government’s guidance on working in Poland as a foreign national and how to get a visa. The pop up notices direct you to a website that is not yet live. These are being amended.
If you work in Poland, even if you work for a UK-based company, this may affect where you pay National Insurance-type contributions. Read the National insurance and social security contributions section for more information.
If you were living in Poland before 1 January 2021
You have the right to work under the Withdrawal Agreement if you have a Dokument pobytowy dla beneficjenta umowy wystapienia residence card, or have applied for one.
If you live in Poland and were regularly commuting to work in another EU or EFTA country before 1 January 2021, read our guidance for frontier workers.
Professional qualifications
You may need to get your professional qualification recognised if you want to work in a profession that is regulated in Poland.
Read guidance on:
If you were living in Poland before 1 January 2021
If the relevant regulator in Poland officially recognised your professional qualification before 1 January 2021, or you started the recognition process by this date, make sure you understand the terms of your decision. You should get advice from the relevant regulator.
Studying in Poland
If you plan to study in Poland, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.
Contact the relevant higher education provider in Poland to check what fees you may have to pay.
Read guidance on:
If you were living in Poland before 1 January 2021
The studying in the European Union guidance includes information if you were already living in Poland before 1 January 2021.
Tax
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Poland so that you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Ask the relevant tax authority your questions about double taxation relief.
You should get professional advice on paying tax in Poland. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Poland. Read guidance on:
National Insurance and social security contributions
National Insurance-type contributions (NIC) are called ‘social security contributions’ (SSC) in Poland. Find out if you need to pay National Insurance in the UK or social security contributions in Poland.
If you plan to move to Poland and work, even if you continue working for a UK-based company, you and your employer may need to pay social security contributions in Poland. These social security contributions would entitle you to certain benefits, such as healthcare, in Poland.
Read guidance on National Insurance for workers from the UK working in the EEA or Switzerland.
You can check your UK National Insurance record.
Benefits
UK benefits
Read guidance on entitlement to UK benefits and pensions while you are living in Poland.
Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them.
Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.
Polish benefits
You may be eligible to claim some Polish social security benefits. To find out if you are entitled to Polish benefits and how to claim, read the EU’s guidance on claiming benefits in Poland.
Pensions
Read guidance on entitlement to UK benefits and pensions while you are living in Poland.
Read State Pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.
If you retire in Poland, you can claim:
- your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre for further information
- pensions if you’ve worked in other EU countries
- contact the International Pensions Centre to claim your Polish pension from the Polish Social Insurance Institution, if you have worked in Poland
Read the Money and Pension Service guidance on pension and retirement for more information on cross-border pensions.
Life certificates for UK State Pensions
If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you do not.
Money and banking
Whether UK banks can provide services to customers living in the EEA depends on local laws and regulation.
Read the Money and Pension Service’s Money Helper guidance on banking, insurance and financial services for more information on cross-border banking.
Accommodation and buying property
Read our guidance on buying a property abroad.
You may need to get a permit from the Minister responsible for home affairs to buy property. Read the Polish government’s guidance on purchasing property as a third country national (in Polish).
Driving in Poland
You cannot renew or replace your UK, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man licence if you live in Poland. Read the guidance on what you must do to drive legally in Poland.
Read guidance on:
- what you need to drive in the EU
- driving licence rules in Poland if you live there
- road travel in Poland
If you’re asked for a letter authenticating, certifying or validating your UK driver’s licence, you should contact your UK issuing office (e.g. the DVLA).
To drive in another country, in addition to your Polish licence, you may need to apply for an IDP (in Polish).
Exchanging your UK, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man licence
If you are resident in Poland, your driving licence is valid for the first 6 months of residence only. After 6 months, you must exchange your licence for a Polish one. The obligation to exchange a driving license does not apply to documents issued in the UK before 1 January 2021. Such driving licenses entitle you to drive vehicles on the territory of Poland for the entire period of their validity. Read the Polish government’s guidance on exchanging a non-EU driving licence for a Polish licence (in Polish). You do not need to take a driving test to exchange your licence. You cannot use an International Driving Permit (IDP) instead of exchanging your licence.
To exchange your UK licence, the Polish authorities may ask you to provide:
- a sworn translation of your UK driving licence (see our list of translators in Poland)
- proof of address in Poland
Disabled drivers
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Poland, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority. You can apply for a new Polish disabled parking card (in Polish).
Read the EU guidance on the EU parking card for people with disabilities.
Bringing a UK-registered vehicle to Poland
Read our guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK. Read the Polish government’s guidelines on car registration.
Driving outside Poland with a Polish licence
You can use your Polish licence when visiting the UK. Keep up-to-date with the UK Highway Code.
If you go to live in the UK, you can exchange your Polish licence for a UK one without taking a test.
To drive in another country, in addition to your Polish licence, you may need to apply for an IDP (in Polish).
Read the EU guidance on:
Voting
If you are a resident in Poland, you have the right to vote and stand in local elections. To do so, you must be registered on the municipal register where you live (spis wyborców). Check which documents you need to provide when submitting the application (in Polish).
You cannot vote in general or regional elections in Poland or European Parliament elections.
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:
Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnerships
If your child is born in Poland you should register the birth with the local authorities. You can then register with the UK authorities and apply for a UK birth certificate. If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register the birth with the UK authorities to apply for a British passport.
If someone dies in Poland read our guidance on:
- what to do after someone dies abroad
- bereavement in Poland
- finding English-speaking funeral directors in Poland
Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.
You may also need to:
Pets
If you’re moving to Poland with your pet, read the guidance and ensure you comply with the regulations:
To visit other countries with your pet, check the rules for the country you’re travelling to. Contact your vet to get the travel documents your pet needs.
Read guidance on:
- bringing your pet to Great Britain. Check that your pet’s rabies vaccinations are up to date. Vets in Great Britain cannot enter rabies vaccination details in non-UK issued pet passports
- travelling to Ireland with your pet
- travelling with your pet in the EU
Emergencies
Dial the European emergency number 112 in Poland for the police, ambulance or fire brigade, or dial:
- 997 for police
- 998 for fire brigade
- 999 for ambulance
Dial the EU 116 000 hotline to report a missing child in the EU country where you live or in another EU country.
If you need guidance on child abduction, read the guidance on international parental child abduction; the EU guidance on child abduction and EU guidance on child abduction to another EU country.
If you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault in Poland, read the guidance on what to do in cases of rape and sexual assault abroad.
If you’re the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis, contact the British Embassy Warsaw.
Returning to the UK
Tell the Polish and UK authorities if you are returning to the UK permanently.
To move your pension to the UK, contact the International Pension Centre.
If you get healthcare in Poland through the S1 form, you must contact the Overseas Healthcare Team on +44 (0)191 218 1999 to make sure your S1 is cancelled at the right time.
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on, amongst other things, bringing family members, tax and access to services.
Useful information
Support for British nationals abroad: a guide sets out how to stay safe abroad, and explains how the FCDO can support you if you get into difficulty.
Updates to this page
Last updated 11 October 2024 + show all updates
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Added information on getting a certificate of clear criminal record.
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Added information regarding the EES in Visas and Residency part
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Added new guidance to the visas and voting sections. Polish government guidance added for crossing the border if you are a UK national.
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Guidance has been reviewed and updated.
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Important information in the Working in Poland, and National insurance sections if you work in Poland, even it if it is for an employer based in the UK.
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Visas and residency guidance updated, following the 31 December 2021 residency deadline for people with rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.
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Support from the UK Nationals Support Fund will end on 30 September 2021. You should contact the UK Nationals Support Fund implementing partner before this date if you require additional support. If you are already being assisted by our implementing partner, they will continue to assist you until you have made your application.
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If you require additional support with your residency application, you should contact the UK Nationals Support Fund implementing partner before 30 September 2021. If you are already being assisted by our implementing partner, they will continue to assist you until you have made your application.
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Guidance reviewed for passports and travel, healthcare, working and studying in Poland and returning to the UK sections.
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Professional qualifications section updated for British citizens who are moving or moved to Poland after 1 January 2021 and those living there since before 1 January 2021.
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Working in Poland section updated: new guidance for frontier workers
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Updated guidance on how to exchange your UK driving licence for a Polish one.
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Additional support section updated with link to guidance on UK Nationals Support Fund, healthcare section updated including guidance on the S1 form and applying for EHIC and GHIC cards; working in Poland section updated with link to Department for International Trade (DIT) guidance on working or providing services, education section updated with link to DIT guidance on recognition of professional qualifications
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Coronavirus section updated with a link to guidance on vaccines
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Passport and travel section updated with a new link on proof of residency when travelling back to Poland.
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Updated as the transition period ends with new information on residency, pet travel and moving to Poland
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Passports and travel section updated on carrying proof of residence when travelling
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Healthcare section updated on how to apply for a new UK EHIC as a student or S1 holder. Working section updated with information on frontier workers.
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Visas and Residency section updated with information on the new residency system and a link to new Polish government guidance.
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Passports and travel section updated to include information on passport validity and entry requirements when travelling to other European countries from January 2021
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Visas and residency section updated to include information about how to access the UK Nationals Support Fund for those who may find it harder to complete their residency applications.
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A new link to the Polish Office for Foreigners' FAQs on residency rights and an updated link to Polish government guidance on healthcare.
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Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity, healthcare rights and State Pension uprating if the UK leaves the EU with a deal.
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Brexit update: healthcare section updated to reflect transitional arrangements announcement
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Brexit update: List of outreach events for UK nationals in Poland updated.
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Brexit Update: Pensions section updated to include further details on State Pension uprating.
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Brexit: We have added new information on residency, recognition of professional qualification, pensions and benefits.
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EU Exit update: We have added new information in the "Passports and travel after the UK leaves the EU section"
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We've updated information on voting in the European Parliament elections.
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EU Exit update: New information added in passports and travel after the UK leaves the EU, pensions after the UK leaves the EU and returning to the UK.
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EU Exit update: updated information on healthcare, visas and residency, driving licences and voting.
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We have updated the contact details you need to apply for an S1 form.
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The Polish Office for Foreigners has published a brochure on Polish residency provisions for UK nationals living in Poland after the UK leaves the EU. We have added a link to the brochure.
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We have added information on upcoming community outreach events.
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The Polish Office for Foreigners has published an update for UK Nationals in Poland - we have added it to the guide.
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Updated information on passports: you must use the checker tool to see if your passport is still valid for your trip
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EU Exit update - Updated information on access to healthcare
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EU Exit update: updated information on pensions and driving.
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EU Exit update: New information in residency and visa section on draft withdrawal agreement in principle between the UK and EU. Plus information on travelling with pets in Europe in Pets section.
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Complete revision of guidance to ensure it's up to date and accurate.
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First published.