How to acquire and benefit from a Polish Card?

The Polish card, also known as Pole’s Card, is a unique document that opens numerous opportunities for individuals of Polish descent living abroad. This coveted status not only affirms one’s connection to the Polish nation but also grants them special rights and privileges within Poland.

Many people find the Pole’s Card another way to obtain benefits similar to a Polish citizenship if it has been denied, or to increase them if you already have a Polish passport.

The Pole’s Card serves as confirmation of a foreign individual’s affiliation with the Polish nationality. It does not confer Polish citizenship, temporary or permanent residency rights in Poland, or visa-free entry into Poland.

Nonetheless, possessing a Pole’s Card comes with several privileges. Cardholders are entitled to:

1. Submit an application for permanent residence permit free of charge.
2. Apply for Polish citizenship through the President of the Republic of Poland at a Polish consulate without fees.
3. Conduct business activity in Poland on the same terms as Polish citizens.
4. Use a 37% discount on rail travel in Poland.
5. Visit state museums in Poland for free.
6. Acquire a national visa entitling to multiple crossings of the Polish border free of charge.
7. Enjoy priority in applying for funds from the Polish state budget or from the budget of municipalities in Poland, intended to support Poles abroad.
8. Access the free primary, secondary, and tertiary education system in Poland on the same terms as Polish citizens, and at the same time apply for scholarships and study aid intended for foreigners learning and studying in Poland.
9. Seek assistance from the Consul, within the scope of the Consul’s competence, in a life-threatening or safety situation.
10. Undertake legal work in Poland without the need for a work permit.
11. After submitting the application for a permanent residence permit, have it granted, for a period not longer than 9 months, for themselves and their immediate family members staying with them in Poland.
12. In emergencies, use free healthcare in Poland on the same terms as Polish citizens.

Am I eligible for a Pole’s Card?

•             The Identity Card for Individuals of Polish Descent can be issued to individuals without Polish citizenship who affirm their affiliation with the Polish heritage and fulfill the subsequent criteria:
• The individual demonstrates their connection with Polish heritage through at least a basic knowledge of the Polish language. Additionally, they must exhibit familiarity with and practice of Polish traditions and customs.
• In the presence of the consul, voivode (governor), or a designated representative, the individual will provide a written declaration affirming their membership within the Polish community.
• They will substantiate their Polish heritage by confirming their Polish nationality, or by demonstrating that at least one of their parents, grandparents, or two great-grandparents possessed Polish nationality. Alternatively, they may present a certificate from an authorized Polish community organization, either based in Poland or abroad (the list of organizations is accessible here), validating their active engagement in endeavors promoting the Polish language, culture, or the Polish national minority for a minimum of the past three years.
• The individual must declare that their ancestors have not been repatriated, and they themselves have not undergone repatriation, originating from the territory of the Republic of Poland or the Polish People’s Republic. This prohibition is in reference to repatriation agreements established between the Republic of Poland or the Polish People’s Republic and the Belarusian Soviet Socialist Republic, Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic, Lithuanian Soviet Socialist Republic, and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics during the years 1944-1957, which encompassed certain states as parties to these agreements.

The Identity Card for Individuals of Polish Descent can also be conferred upon an individual whose lineage has been formally validated in accordance with the regulations outlined in the November 9, 2000, legislation pertaining to repatriation. Additionally, the individual must satisfy the prerequisites delineated in the same Act concerning their proficiency in the Polish language.

Are there alternative routes towards embracing your Polish identity?

Gaining legal status in any country often involves complex procedures that might not align with everyone’s circumstances or abilities. Thankfully, alternatives like The Pole’s card exist, offering a different way forward.

A holder of this card enjoys several benefits typically associated with being a fully recognized Polish citizen, such as access to social services and preferential treatment when applying for work permits in Poland.

Pole’s Card holders can apply for full citizenship too. Holders are allowed to apply for formal Polish citizenship by the President of Republic of Poland. They can do so at any local consulate free-of-charge.

How to obtain a Polish Card? A comprehensive process guide.

The process of obtaining a Polish card may seem challenging, but with the right guidance and preparation, it can be straightforward. The request for acquiring or prolonging the validity of the Pole’s Card is submitted either at the Consulate of the Republic of Poland having jurisdiction over the applicant’s place of residence or at the Voivodeship Office. In cases where the Council of Ministers designates the competent voivode to assess such applications, the application can also be submitted there.

Note: The Council of Ministers reserves the authority to assign a voivode to oversee the acceptance of applications for the Pole’s Card, including identifying the nationalities eligible for this option. As per the 2017 directive, the Voivode of Podlasie was designated as the responsible authority for processing applications for the Pole’s Card from Belarusian citizens.

The essential assortment of documents needed for a comprehensive Pole’s Card application consists of:

• A duly completed application form, following the provided instructions.
• One photograph (clear, taken within the last six months).
• Completed and copied documents verifying the applicant’s Polish heritage and knowledge in the Polish language. This can include proof of passing the Polish language examination before the state examination commission, school or study certificates from Poland, or school leaving certificates from abroad with Polish as the language of instruction. In instances where the described documents are unavailable, the applicant’s Polish language proficiency is evaluated during an interview with the consul or voivode.

Potential documents and evidence validating the applicant’s or their ancestors’ Polish nationality encompass: Polish identity documents; records of civil status or their duplicates; baptismal records; school records; documents confirming service in Polish military units; documents substantiating deportation or imprisonment with annotations regarding Polish heritage; records related to the rehabilitation of a deported person containing notes about Polish origin; foreign identity cards containing information about the holder’s Polish nationality; certificates from Polish community organizations confirming active participation in activities for the advancement of Polish language, culture, or the Polish national minority; a final decision on Polish heritage issued in line with the regulations of the Repatriation Act; the applicant’s parent’s or one of the applicant’s grandparents’ Pole’s Card; additional documents affirming a connection to Polish heritage, and so on.

• A photocopy of an identity confirmation document, with the original also presented for verification.

Following this, an appointment should be scheduled with the consul of the Republic of Poland or the designated voivode. During the interaction, the consul or voivode engages the applicant in a discussion in Polish about Poland, encompassing its history, culture, customs, and traditions. The anticipated duration of this dialogue is around 15 to 20 minutes.

Should the interview yield a favorable outcome for the applicant, the consul or voivode provides them with a declaration of affiliation with the Polish nation, along with a statement confirming that their forebears have not repatriated from or been repatriated to the territory of the Republic of Poland.

If, by any reason, the consul or voivode issues a decision refusing to grant the Pole’s Card, it may be appealed against to the Council for Poles Abroad. When a decision is made to revoke a Pole’s Card, the cardholder is required to promptly surrender the Card to the issuing consul or voivode. Any decision to revoke a Pole’s Card (along with a decision denying the issuance of a Pole’s Card) can also be challenged by lodging an appeal with the Council for Poles Abroad.

What are the other benefits and rights of holding a Polish Card?

The Polish Card, also known as the Karta Polaka, is more than just an identification document. It offers a wide range of benefits, from legal rights to social privileges, to its holders.

Facilitating Residence Permits

One of the standout benefits of holding a Polish Card is the ability to obtain residence permits in Poland. This includes both temporary and permanent residence permits. The Polish Act on the Polish Card provides detailed information about this right.

Holders can apply for residence permits without needing additional justification such as employment or family ties in Poland. Their valid Polish Card serves as proof of eligibility.

Exemption from Work Permits

In addition to residency rights, Polish Card holders enjoy the perk of being exempt from work permits when seeking employment in Poland. This exemption simplifies the job procurement process and opens more opportunities within the labor market.

The Regulation of Ministers Council regarding the appointment of Voivode competent for conducting proceedings on the issuance or extension validity period of the Polish Charter outlines this exemption.

Access to Social Services

Aside from the legal entitlements mentioned above, holding a Polish Card comes with numerous societal advantages. Cardholders have access to healthcare services at public health institutions throughout Poland under similar conditions as Polish citizens.

Educational grants, tuition fee reductions, and preferential treatment during the naturalization process are among the exclusive perks offered to Polish Card holders.

Preserving Cultural Heritage

Polish Cards also play a crucial role in preserving cultural heritage among diaspora communities. Cardholders enjoy discounts when visiting museums, national parks, and historical sites across the country.

This encourages a continued connection to their homeland’s culture and history, making the Polish Card even more appealing and desirable to potential applicants.

CONTACT US – POLE’S CARD – POLISH CARD

Our law office specializes in the process of immigration and obtaining passports to many countries. Our office has an international team that can assist you with the bureaucratic process, notarized translation, apostille stamp and all the paperwork required to obtain the Polish passport. For more details, contact us:

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03-3724722

055-9781688

[email protected]