For many foreigners living in Poland, travelling - both for private and professional purposes - is a natural part of life. However, going abroad while the process of legalising your stay is ongoing or while you have a residence card comes with certain restrictions and rules. Not knowing these can lead to loss of residency, problems at the border or having to reapply. It is therefore worth knowing exactly what is allowed and what to avoid.

Can you leave Poland while your stay is being legalised?

If your application to legalise your stay has been submitted in Poland and the provincial office has not yet issued a decision, going abroad may have serious consequences. According to the regulations, a foreigner loses the right to stay on the territory of the Republic of Poland if he or she leaves the country without obtaining a decision on the permit. This means that if you leave for a longer period of time, your application may be discontinued.

If, on the other hand, you have a so-called stamp in passport (confirmation of application), it only allows you to stay legally in Poland - it does not give you the right to enter or travel within the Schengen area. Therefore, until you have received your residence card, you cannot freely cross the border.

Travelling with a residence card

Having a valid residence card gives much more freedom. A foreigner who has permanent residence card or residence of a long-term EU resident, may travel in the Schengen countries without a visa for up to 90 days within 180 days. It is sufficient to carry a valid passport and a residence card issued in Poland.

In the case of temporary residence cards the rules are slightly different. The document entitles you to cross the Polish border multiple times, but does not give you an automatic right to stay in other EU countries. Each country may require a separate visa or permit - so it is advisable to check the regulations in the destination country before travelling.

Departure and extension of legalisation of stay

Foreigners often ask whether they can leave Poland while they are waiting for a new residence card. The answer is yes, but under certain conditions. If your stay is already legal on the basis of a valid decision, you can leave Poland as long as you do not overstay your permit. Once it has expired, entry may only be possible with a new visa.

It is worth remembering that a longer absence from Poland (e.g. more than 6 months a year for permanent residence) may result in the loss of the resident status. In such a case, the office may revoke the permit.

What to keep in mind for business and family travel?

If you plan to travel frequently for business, it is best to carry one with you:

• valid passport,
• residence card,
• document confirming the purpose of the journey (e.g. invitation, contract, return ticket).

For families of foreigners living in Poland, it is also important that each family member - including children - has their own residence permit. In the case of departure with a child, notarised authorisation from the other parent may be required, especially if the other parent does not have Polish citizenship.

Does the residence card entitle me to travel outside Europe?

The residence card is a document valid on the territory of Poland and (to a limited extent) in Schengen countries. Outside Europe, it has no legal validity - for travel to e.g. the UK, USA or Canada, a visa or permit is still required.

If you are planning to travel outside the EU on business, it is worth checking the requirements with the embassy of the country concerned and ensuring that your passport is valid for at least six months after your planned return date.

How to prepare for the trip?

1. Check the validity of your residence card and passport.
2. Verify that your destination does not require additional permits.
3. Make sure you do not have any pending proceedings, the interruption of which could result in a refusal of legalisation.
4. If in doubt - consult a legalisation advisor.

Experts ID Poland help clients check travel conditions, prepare documents and avoid problems when crossing borders. This allows you to travel with peace of mind without risking your legal status.

Summary

The legalisation of residence and the residence card are not only the right to live and work in Poland, but also the key to free movement around Europe. However, it is worth knowing the rules of travel so that you do not lose your entitlements or expose yourself to official problems.

If you are planning to leave Poland during the legalisation process or are not sure what regulations apply to you, contact our team via ID Poland - Contact. We will help you plan your trip in accordance with the regulations and ensure that your residence status is secure.