Pole’s Card
‣ What is the Pole's Card and how can Laut help you?
At Laut, we often receive questions about the Pole’s Card (Karta Polaka). This document generates much interest, especially among people from former Soviet Union countries. What exactly is the Pole’s Card and what conditions must be met to obtain it? We will show you how Laut can provide comprehensive support at every stage of this process.
What is the Pole’s Card?
The Pole’s Card is an official document confirming belonging to the Polish Nation. It’s a kind of “proof” for people of Polish origin living outside Poland, mainly in former USSR countries.
Remember! The Pole’s Card does not mean having Polish citizenship, nor is it a document authorizing border crossing or settling in the territory of the Republic of Poland. It cannot be granted to a person holding Polish citizenship, a permanent residence permit in Poland, or a stateless person.
Who can receive the Pole’s Card? Conditions for obtaining it
To apply for the Pole’s Card, you must meet several key conditions. These are precisely defined in the Act on the Pole’s Card.
You can receive the Pole’s Card if you:
Demonstrate a connection to Polishness through at least a basic knowledge of the Polish language and knowledge and cultivation of Polish traditions and customs.
Submit a written declaration of belonging to the Polish Nation in the presence of a consul.
Demonstrate Polish origin, meaning you are of Polish nationality, or at least one of your parents, grandparents, or two great-grandparents were of Polish nationality. Alternatively, you can present a certificate from an authorized Polish or Polonia organization confirming your active involvement in activities for the Polish language and culture or the Polish national minority for a period of at least the last three years.
Submit a statement that you or your ancestors did not repatriate from the territory of the Republic of Poland (or the Polish People’s Republic) based on agreements concluded in the years 1944-1957 with:
Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic,
Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic,
Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic,
Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
Have Polish origin, confirmed in accordance with the provisions of the Act of November 9, 2000, on Repatriation, provided you demonstrate at least a basic knowledge of the Polish language.
Knowledge of the Polish language – how to confirm it?
Although at least a basic knowledge of the language is required, a certificate of completion of a Polish language course is not sufficient as proof of language proficiency in the procedure for granting the Pole’s Card.
Documents recognized as confirmation of Polish language proficiency include:
a certificate of completion of a school or studies in Poland,
a diploma of completion of a school abroad with Polish as the language of instruction,
an official certificate of Polish language proficiency issued on the basis of the Act of October 7, 1999, on the Polish language (the so-called certificate issued by the State Commission for the Certification of Proficiency in Polish as a Foreign Language).
If you do not possess any of the above documents, the consul will assess your language proficiency during an interview conducted in Polish. This interview will cover, among other things, Polish traditions and customs.
Where to submit the application for the Pole’s Card?
According to Article 12 of the Act, the decision to grant the Pole’s Card and extend its validity is issued by the consul competent for the applicant’s place of residence or a voivode designated by the Council of Ministers, upon written application from the foreigner or their legal representative.
By the Regulation of the Council of Ministers of October 5, 2017, on designating the voivode competent for conducting proceedings for granting or extending the validity of the Pole’s Card, the competent offices in the territory of the Republic of Poland are:
Podlaskie Voivodeship Office in Białystok
and the Lublin Voivodeship Office Delegation in Biała Podlaska.
All actions performed in connection with the applicant’s submission of an application for the Pole’s Card or its extension, and the issuance of decisions in these matters, are free of charge.
The application for the Pole’s Card must be submitted in person. This is because the foreigner applying for the document is obliged to submit a declaration of belonging to the Polish Nation before the consul or voivode and demonstrate their knowledge of the Polish language during an interview with the authority.
If the applicant is a minor, both parents should appear at the office, and if the child is over 13 years old, the minor should also be present at the meeting. If the applicant’s parent does not hold a Pole’s Card, they are obliged to give consent for the minor to be granted the document.
Validity and extension of the Pole’s Card
The Pole’s Card is valid for 10 years from the date of its issuance.
You can extend the Card’s validity for another 10 years by submitting an application for its extension to the competent consul. The application must be submitted no later than 3 months before the Card’s expiry date.
A Pole’s Card granted to a person who has reached 65 years of age is valid for an indefinite period.
A Pole’s Card issued to a minor is valid for 10 years, but no longer than one year after reaching adulthood. After turning 18, the holder of the Pole’s Card should submit an application for its extension no later than within the next 9 months (counting from the date of reaching adulthood).
What rights can a Pole’s Card holder exercise?
Possession of the Pole’s Card opens many doors and entails a number of important rights:
Exemption from the obligation to hold a work permit and undertaking and performing economic activity on the same terms as Polish citizens.
Undertaking studies, doctoral studies, and other forms of education, as well as participating in scientific research and development work on the same terms as Polish citizens.
Access to healthcare services in emergency situations.
37% discount on travel in Poland on single-fare tickets for ordinary, fast, and express trains.
Free entry to selected state museums in Poland.
Consular assistance in situations of threat to life or safety, within the scope of their competence, with due observance and respect for international customs and law.
Exemption from consular fees for:
acceptance and consideration of an application for a national visa to exercise the rights resulting from possessing the Pole’s Card;
acceptance and processing of an application for Polish citizenship.
Receiving a cash benefit to partially cover living expenses in Poland. A holder of the Pole’s Card or a person whose Polish origin has been confirmed in accordance with the Repatriation Act is entitled to a cash benefit when applying for permanent residence. This benefit is granted for a period of up to 9 months, and its amount depends on the minimum wage in the year the application is submitted:
During the first 3 months: an equivalent of 50% of the minimum wage applicable in the year the cash benefit application is submitted – for the applicant and their spouse, and an equivalent of 50% of this amount for each minor child under the parental authority of the applicant or their spouse.
From the 4th to the 9th month: 60% of the amounts specified above, respectively.
Only the applicant’s family members are taken into account when determining the amount of the cash benefit.
Priority in applying for financial aid granted to individuals from the state budget or local government budgets designated to support Poles abroad.
How can Laut help you obtain the Pole’s Card?
The process of applying for the Pole’s Card can seem complicated, especially due to the need to gather appropriate documents and prepare for the interview with the consul. This is where Laut comes in!
Laut offers comprehensive support in obtaining the Pole’s Card, including:
Professional advice: We will precisely explain all requirements and procedures related to the Pole’s Card, answer your questions, and clarify any doubts.
Assistance with document completion: We will help you gather all necessary documents (such as birth certificates of ancestors, certificates of origin, or other proofs of Polish origin), and also prepare required statements, including the one concerning non-repatriation.
Preparation for the interview with the consul/voivode: We offer Polish language courses and cultural preparation that will help you confidently face the interview and successfully pass the verification. Remember that specific documents are required to confirm Polish language proficiency – we will help you understand these requirements and plan your actions.
Support at every stage: We will be with you every step of the way – from initial contact, through application preparation, to obtaining your desired Pole’s Card.
We believe that thanks to our experience and individual approach, the process of obtaining the Pole’s Card will become much simpler and less stressful for you.
Don’t wait! If you dream of a closer connection with Poland and want to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the Pole’s Card, contact Laut today. We are here to help you!