Legalisation of family residence - how to bring loved ones to Poland?

The family reunification procedure in Poland is one of the most important ways to bring loved ones into the country legally. The process can be time-consuming, but it allows for long-term joint residence with loved ones on the territory of the Republic of Poland.

Family reunification in Poland - who can benefit from the procedure

The legalisation of residence of family members concerns a specific circle of persons. The right to submit an application is granted to: Polish citizens, foreigners with the status of a long-term EU resident, persons with a permanent residence permit and beneficiaries of international protection. They may apply to bring in their spouses, minor children, parents (in special cases) and other dependent family members.

Family reunion in Poland - required documents

For a successful procedure, it is necessary to collect complete documentation. Basic documents include: passports of all family members, kinship documents (marriage certificates, birth certificates), criminal record certificates and recent photographs.

Financial conditions are crucial. The applicant should show a steady income of at least 150% of the lowest pension for the first person and 100% for each subsequent person. In 2025, this is approximately £2,100 for the first person and £1,400 for each subsequent person brought in.

Housing and insurance conditions

Adequate housing is required - a minimum of 5 m² of living space per person plus 10 m² for the whole family. In addition, it is necessary to have health insurance or funds to cover medical expenses.

Step-by-step procedure

The process begins with the submission of an application to the competent provincial office. The stamp duty is PLN 340 per application. Once the application is successful in Poland, the family member residing abroad should report to the Polish consulate to obtain a visa.

The standard processing time is approximately three months, but may be extended in complex cases. Officials may call for supplementary documents or conduct a verification interview.

The most common problems and how to avoid them

The most common problems include incomplete translations of documents, insufficient income and deficiencies in the legalisation of foreign documents. The apostille or consular legalisation of documents from outside the EU should be borne in mind.

Important dates

After receiving a positive decision, the family member has 6 months to enter Poland and apply for a residence card. A delay may result in having to go through the procedure from the beginning.