EU Long-Term Resident Card in Łódź

EU long-term resident in Poland: what it is

The official name is zezwolenie na pobyt rezydenta długoterminowego UE. It is an indefinite permit to stay in Poland. An important distinction: the permit itself has no expiry date, while the residence card issued on its basis is valid for 5 years and then replaced. EU long-term resident status lets you live in Poland without a time limit and apply for residence in other EU countries on preferential terms. It differs from permanent residence (pobyt stały) in the card validity (10 years for permanent residence) and in the option to move within the EU.

Who the EU resident card suits

The main condition is lawful, continuous residence in Poland for at least 5 years immediately before filing. You also need stable, regular income in Poland, health insurance, a legal title to your home and proof of Polish at level B1 or higher (not required for children under 16). Time spent on a study basis counts only by half, and breaks in residence are limited by law, so we check the period and any breaks case by case.

Documents needed

The exact list is set by the voivodeship office, but it usually includes:

• application for the permit (voivodeship office form)
• colour photos and a copy of your passport
• a certificate of Polish at B1 or another recognised document
• proof of stable, regular income in Poland
• proof of health insurance
• a document confirming your right to the home (lease or ownership)
• proof of payment of the official fee

How much the EU resident card costs

The stamp duty for the permit is 640 zł (paid when filing), and the card issue fee is 100 zł. The price of our help depends on the scope of the case; the current price list is on the home page, and official fees are paid separately.

How long the decision takes

According to voivodeship offices, a decision is made within up to 6 months, but the period may be longer if documents must be supplemented. We cannot guarantee a decision date or a positive outcome.

Where to file in Łódź

The case is handled by the Łódzki Urząd Wojewódzki (Wydział Spraw Obywatelskich i Cudzoziemców). The filing method — electronically through MOS, by post or at the filing desk — is set by the voivodeship in its current instructions, so we check the valid procedure before filing.

How we help you get the EU resident card

We do not decide for the office, but we take on the preparation and explain each step:

• check the continuity of your stay, breaks and basis of stay
• check income, insurance and your right to the home
• advise how to prove B1 level
• prepare the application and document set
• explain the filing procedure and next steps
• after filing, help you answer the office’s requests — see residence card case support

EU resident card in Łódź and the Łódzkie region

Our office is in central Łódź, Al. Tadeusza Kościuszki 39. We advise residents of Łódź and the whole Łódzkie voivodeship — by phone, Telegram and WhatsApp. If you are not sure which status you need, start with the pages on the residence card and legalisation of stay. Ukrainians with UKR status have a separate route — the CUKR card. For more on permit types, see the article “Types of residence permits”. You will also need address registration and PESEL to file.