Replacement of the residence card

When should I apply?

You apply for an exchange / issue of residence card if:

  • your permanent residence card, or long-term resident of the EU residence card or humanitarian residence card expires;
  • the data contained in the residence card have changed, ie. your name, your address;
  • you have lost your residence card;
  • your card has been damaged;
  • you have been granted with permanent residence/long-term resident of the EU and your card expired.

An application for replacement of a residence card should be submitted in person within 14 days of the reason for their replacement appear.

The application on behalf of a minor is made by parents or guardians appointed by the court, or one of the parents or one of the guardians appointed by the court. When submitting an application, a minor who is at least 6 years old must be present.

If you have a residence permit for a long-term resident of the EU or a permanent residence permit, you must apply for a card replacement at least 30 days before your residence card expires.

The application for the issue / replacement of the card does not apply if the foreigner's intention is to apply for another temporary residence permit and, finally, to issue another residence card. To obtain another residence card, e.g. as a result of a change of employer, you must submit a new application for a temporary residence permit on the appropriate form.

Before submitting your application, please read our tips on how to fill out an application form 

Where should I apply?

You can send your application by post to the Department for Foreigners in Poznań or one of the office's branches.
The date of application submission is determined by the date of posting at the Post Office.
The next step will be an in-person visit to the office to submit your fingerprints. During the visit, you will also complete any additional required documents.

Find out how to receive tracking information for your case status.

Learn how to schedule an appointment at the office.

 

What documents do I need?

  • Application in 1 copy, completed in accordance with the instructions (download here).
  • 2 photos which should meet the following requirements:
    • Undamaged, in colour, of good focus and quality,
    • size: 35x45mm,
    • not older than last 6 months,
    • head should take 70-80% of the photo (from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head).
    • photo should be taken in front of a plain white or off-white background,
    • photo should be taken in full-face view directly facing the camera, with eyes open, neutral face expression and mouth closed. Hair should be uncovered. The photo should also reflect your natural skin colour. Eyes and pupils should be clearly visible, the line of the eyes should be parallel to the upper edge of the photo.
  • A photocopy of a valid travel document (original for inspection), in particularly justified cases, when you do not have a valid travel document and is unable to obtain it, you may present another document confirming your identity;
  • Typical documents confirming the circumstances indicated in the application:

  • Confrimation of stamp duty fee payment is required to start the proceedings.

All documents are submitted in original/certified copy and in certified translation if required.

Address on the residence card

The card printout is ordered after submitting the proof of payment and after providing the current confirmation of registration for a temporary stay lasting over 2 months.

If you do not submit a confirmation of registration within 14 days from the date of receipt of the decision to grant you a temporary residence permit, your residence card will not have a residence address printed out on it.

You can also make a statement if you want to have the address on the card.

Download the declaration form

Residence card fees

The fee for issuing the card is PLN 100

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The reduced fee is 50 PLN

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You are eligible to reduced fee if you are:

  • on the territory of the Republic of Poland on the basis of a temporary residence permit granted in connection with studying in a secondary school or higher education institution (university)
  • or a minor child up to 16 years old, or
  • or in difficult financial situation.

Replacement of a residence card in the event of culpable loss or destruction is 200,00 PLN

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Replacement of a residence card in the event of further culpable loss or destruction is 300 PLN

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You can also pay the fee for your residence card by bank transfer: 

Wielkopolski Urząd Wojewódzki
Poznań, al. Niepodległości 16/18
Nr rachunku: 70 1010 1469 0000 3922 3100 0000

 

Note! The pay rate for application submitted until 29th July

The fee for issuing the card is 50 PLN   

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The reduced fee for issuing the card is 25 PLN   

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Replacement of a residence card in the event of culpable loss or destruction is 100,00 PLN

PAY ONLINE

Replacement of a residence card in the event of further culpable loss or destruction is 150 PLN

PAY ONLINE

How long is the waiting time?

The residence card will be issued approximately 1 month from the submission of proof of payment and confirmation of registration/or declaration of lack of address on the card. If you have a permanent residence permit due to a Pole's Card, a printout of the residence card will be ordered after returning the Pole's Card.

What should I know?

Read our guide

The residence card is to be collected in person only at the Department of Foreigners in Poznań or at one of the office's delegations. Check the addresses.

When a residence card issued to a minor over 13 years of age is collected, his/her presence is required.  When a residence card has been issued to a minor under 13 years of age by the date of its receipt, the card shall be collected by his legal representative or guardian.

A visit to collect a residence card in Poznań can be booked in advance via the website by selecting the E - Pickup residence card queue

To pick up your residence card, bring a valid travel document and previous residence card, if issued.
Check if your card is ready for collection and where you can collect it in our application to avoid dissapointment.

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FAQ

I have a new passport. Do I have to exchange a residence card?

No, unless the data in your new passport has changed which are included in the residence card, e.g. name. If you have a new passport in your new name, apply for an exchange of residence card.

I have a residence card without a registered address. I have changed my place of residence in Poland. Do I have to inform the Governor’s Office about this?

  • Yes, if you have a residence card with a registered address - submit an application to exchange the card due to a change in the data contained in the existing residence card, i.e. the address. An application for exchange of a residence card should be submitted within 14 days of changing...
read the whole answer...

My residence card contains the annotation „access to labour market”. Does it mean I am allowed to change an employer without the need to apply for another residence permit?

If you were granted a temporary residence and work permit, you employer was specified in the administrative decision. This means you have received you residence card with relation to performing work for the employer appointed in the decision and on the terms specified in the permit. The „access...

read the whole answer...

Can I hire a foreigner who is a holder of a residence card with the annotation „access to labour market”?

No. The annotation does not necessarily mean that the foreigner gained a full access to the labour market. His/her access to labour market may be restricted to performing work for a specific employer and on terms specified in the foreigner’s residence permit (if the foreigner was granted a...

read the whole answer...

Can I travel abroad if I have a Polish residence card? Where and for how long?

If you have a Polish residence card, you can move around the Schengen Area for a period of up to 90 days within a 180 days period without the need to obtain a visa. While travelling around the Schengen Area, you should present a valid passport and as well as a valid residence card. Apart from...

read the whole answer...