Temporary residency program
Poland Residency
An EU residency built on a company of your own, in one of Europe's fastest-growing economies. If you want to lead a business from Poland and grow it there, this is the program for you.
- Company income from
- $28K
- Processing time
- 6 months
- Citizenship path
- 8 years
- Presence required
- Most of the year
As featured in
Why Poland Residency?
I call Poland Europe's sleeper pick. It doesn't show up on most move-abroad lists, and that's why you should be paying attention.
It's one of the fastest-growing economies in Europe, with EU access, safety, walkability, and history in cities like Kraków and Warsaw. Most retirees we've helped settle in Poland never even bother buying a car.
Lifestyle decides these moves more than spreadsheets do, and Poland scores high on a lot of the metrics in our Expat Almanac. If you're building a business, a Polish company gives it an EU base, and the country may surprise you with its value.
James NuveenFounder of the Freedom Files
Benefits of Poland Residency
An EU company of your own
Your residency rests on a Polish limited liability company that you own and lead from its board, with access to the EU's single market.
Permits of up to 3 years
Each permit lasts up to 3 years. Before it ends, we file the next one, and you're covered while it's pending.
Permanent EU residency after 5 years
After 5 years of continuous residence, you can apply for EU long-term residence, a permanent status with a card renewed every 5 years.
Citizenship after 8 years
With 3 years of long-term residence and B1 Polish, you can apply for citizenship. Poland doesn't require you to give up your other passport.
Schengen Area travel
Your residence card lets you travel the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180. US passport holders already have visa-free Schengen travel.
Is Poland Residency Right for You?
Right for you if
- Entrepreneurs who want an EU company and a life in Poland
- Consultants and online business owners ready to build a Polish company
- Investors who want to lead a business from one of Europe's largest economies
- Anyone planning permanent EU residency after 5 years
- Planners with an 8-year horizon to Polish citizenship
Look elsewhere if
- You want residency without living in Poland: The permit is for people who lead their company from Poland and live there most of the year.
- You want a passive investment: You lead the company yourself, and it needs a credible plan, then income or staff by your next permit.
- You want citizenship within 5 years: Citizenship takes about 8 years of residence and B1 Polish.
- You want to qualify by buying property: Poland grants no residency for real estate; the company route is the one we file.
Who Your Poland Residency Application Covers
Family reunification opens once you've lived in Poland for 2 years on temporary permits. Before then, a spouse can join your company's board and apply on the same route, and children can apply on other grounds, reviewed case by case. Polish law recognizes marriage between a man and a woman, so other partners, including same-sex partners, apply on other grounds. Your income must cover everyone applying with you.
| Family member | Condition |
|---|---|
| Spouse | Family reunification after your first 2 years, or sooner as a co-owner of your company |
| Children under 18 | Family reunification after your first 2 years |
Are You Eligible for Poland Residency?
Answer 4 quick questions. In 2 minutes, you'll know whether you're likely to qualify, and what fits better if you don't.
Poland Residency Investment Options
There's 1 route: Your own Polish limited liability company, with you on its board. The share capital remains in your company. What counts is a credible plan, then income or staff as the company grows.
- Popular
Company
$28K
How this route works
We form a limited liability company, known locally as a sp. z o.o., with at least $1,278 in share capital, and you serve on its board. In the 12 months before you apply, the company must have generated income of at least 12 times the average monthly gross wage in the region where it's registered. At the national average, that's about $28K. You also show stable, recurring personal income of at least $198/mo, plus $153/mo for each family member.
Poland Residency Cost
Estimated total for 4 people
$29,186
- Qualifying investmentCompany
- $28,310
- Temporary residence permitPaid directly to the Polish state
- $348
- Residence cardPaid directly to the Polish state
- $104
- Company registrationPaid directly to the court registry
- $89
- Sworn Polish translationsPaid directly to a sworn translator
- $255
- Apostilles on your documentsPaid directly to the issuing authority
- $80
Later
- Next permit and card, per person$112
- EU long-term residence and card, per person$189
- Citizenship decision, per person$56
Government and official fees only. The share capital remains in your company. Fees are set in zloty and shown at today's rate. Residence cards for children under 16 cost half. Notary fees apply if the company is formed by notarial deed. Health insurance, accounting, and Freedom Files fees aren't included. All amounts are subject to change.
Get your numbers on the call. We price your route for everyone applying before you commit.
Poland Residency Costs at a Glance
| Company income, past 12 months | At least 12 times the regional average monthly gross wage, about $28K at the national average |
|---|---|
| Personal income | $198/mo for you, plus $153/mo for each family member |
| Share capital | From $1,278, paid into your own company |
| Company registration | About $89 in court and gazette fees, plus notary fees for a notarial deed |
| Temporary residence permit and card | $87 plus $26 per person |
| Health insurance | Private cover valid in Poland for everyone applying |
| Accounting for your company | A monthly bookkeeping fee, set by the company's activity |
| Translations and apostilles | Sworn Polish translations, depending on the number of documents |
| The Freedom Files | A fixed quote in writing before you commit |
Poland Residency and Taxes
The basics below are for planning only, and each one is pending licensed review. Your own position depends on your income, your assets, and where you spend your time. Our team provides US and Poland tax planning, so you can have your plan reviewed before you commit.
Tax residency in Poland
You're a Polish tax resident if you spend more than 183 days in Poland in a tax year, or if your center of personal or business interests is there.
US income tax treaty
The US and Poland have an income tax treaty that helps prevent double tax. If you're a US citizen, you file US taxes too.
Residency presence vs tax residency
Long-term residence counts continuous residence: No absence longer than 6 months, and 10 months in total over 5 years. You become a Polish tax resident after more than 183 days in a year, or when your center of vital interests is in Poland.
Special tax regimes
New tax residents can pay a fixed $51K/yr on all foreign income, plus $26K/yr to public causes, in place of the usual rates.
Poland Residency Document Checklist
Here's the typical file for Poland Residency. Your country and your case can change the list, and we confirm yours on the call.
Main applicant
- Valid passport, every page scanned
- Recent biometric photo
- Health insurance valid in Poland
- Proof of accommodation in Poland, such as a lease
- Proof of stable, regular income, such as a board contract, dividend resolutions, or bank statements
Company proof
- Board appointment and the company's registry extract
- Business plan with a financial forecast
- Proof of funds and investments: Company bank statements, invoices, contracts, and any office lease
- At renewal: The company's tax return showing its income, or social security records for 2 full-time employees
- Certificates of no tax or social security arrears
Spouse and children
- Marriage certificate
- Birth certificate for each child
Prepared in Poland
- Company formation and bank account
- Electronic signature to sign your application
Poland Residency Process and Timeline
Total: 6 months from filing to your residence card. You file in Poland, then attend 2 appointments: biometrics and card collection.
- 1
Freedom Consult
A call with our founder. We confirm a Polish company fits your plans, your business, and anyone applying with you, or we point you to a better route. You leave with a clear plan and a quote in writing.
- 2
Engagement and business plan
You sign the engagement and we send your checklist. Together we shape your business plan and forecast, and we arrange apostilles and sworn Polish translations.
- 3
Company formation
Our Poland team forms your limited liability company, registers it, opens its bank account, and appoints you to its board. You pay in the share capital.
- 4
Entry and filing
You travel to Poland, and we file your application with the regional governor's office while you're there legally. You're in Poland legally from filing until the decision.
- 5
Biometrics appointment
You attend 1 appointment at the governor's office to show your passport and give fingerprints and a signature. We send the company and income documents the office calls for.
- 6
Decision and residence card
The governor decides on your file, and you collect your residence card in person. Your permit lasts up to 3 years.
- 7
Long-term residence
After 5 years of continuous residence, with stable income, insurance, and B1 Polish, we apply for your EU long-term residence.
- 8
Renewals
Before each permit ends, we file the next one, with the company's income or payroll records. Your residence card is renewed every 5 years once you have long-term residence. Contact us to renew.
Milestones to residency and citizenship
Residence card
6 months
EU long-term residence
After 5 years of residence
Citizenship application
After 8 years of residence
“I love the way the Freedom Files team present themselves and show up for our family. I much prefer their honest, on-the-ground-experience approach than the suited-up lawyers with bookshelves of textbooks behind them.”
Poland Residency vs Alternatives
| Poland Residency | Latvia Golden Visa | France Passeport Talent | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum financial requirement | $28K | €50K | €300K |
| Processing time | 6 months | 8 months | 3-6 months |
| Presence required | Most of the year | 1 day per year | No minimum days |
| Time to citizenship | 8 years | 10 years | 5 years, living in France |
| Language test for citizenship | B1 Polish | See program page | B1 French + civics |
| Family included | Spouse, children under 18 | Spouse, children under 18 | Spouse, children under 18 |
| Capital returned | Yes, it remains in your company | Yes, when you sell your stake; the state payment is non-refundable | Yes, on exit after 5 years, not guaranteed |
| Schengen access | Yes, 90 days in any 180 | See program page | Yes, 90 days in any 180 |
Undecided between these programs? We compare them for you on the call.
How the Freedom Files Helps You with Poland Residency
You get one team from your first call to your arrival in Poland. We prepare, check, and file your application, and we're your single point of contact from start to finish.
- Clients served
- 200+
- years in investment migration
- 10+
- Americans educated
- 2M+
| This program only | Private Client Engagement | |
|---|---|---|
| An eligibility review before you pay a government fee | ||
| Your document file, assembled and optimized | ||
| We prepare and submit your application | ||
| Consular coordination and liaising | ||
| Qualifying investment vetting and due diligence | ||
| Your case manager | Through arrival | Long term |
| A global Plan B strategy across residency, citizenship, tax, asset protection, and more | ||
| Residency and/or citizenship in more than one country | ||
| US and foreign tax strategy, with introductions | ||
| Banking and asset protection strategy, with introductions | ||
| Healthcare, schools, and relocation, with introductions | ||
| Book a consult | Learn more |
Other Freedom Files Services in Poland
We can take on each of these for you, alongside your application or on its own. Our Poland team provides legal, tax, financial, immigration, and investment advice and services.
Tax strategy and filing
Bank account opening
Investment vetting
Real estate and accommodations
Healthcare enrollment
Residency renewals
“We came in with a complicated global setup and needed special attention. What we got from the Freedom Files team was direct, honest, and personal responsiveness at every turn. Exactly what we needed! Very impressed.”
Mike · New York“The Private Client Engagement has been perfect for our unique situation. James is the total quarterback of our whole Plan B strategy.”
Kenneth · Illinois
Why Poland?
History on every street
Kraków's medieval square, Warsaw's rebuilt Old Town, and Gdańsk's merchant houses put centuries of history within walking distance.
A fast-growing economy
Poland is one of the fastest-growing economies in Europe, with modern cities, strong infrastructure, and a high level of safety.
Rail, airports, and the Baltic
Fast intercity trains link the major cities, and the Baltic coast and Europe's capitals are a short trip away. Most clients never need a car.
Mountains, lakes, and forests
The Tatra Mountains in the south, the lake districts of the north, and wide forests give you 4 distinct seasons outdoors.
Poland Residency Content
Poland Residency FAQs
Cost and qualifying routes
How much does Poland residency cost?
Your company needs income of at least 12 times the regional average monthly gross wage in the 12 months before you apply, about $28K at the national average, and at least $1,278 in share capital. On top, plan on $87 for the permit and $26 for the card per person, company registration, health insurance, and translations. The fee calculator adds it up for everyone applying.
Does Poland have a golden visa?
No. Buying property or funds doesn't grant residency in Poland. The route we file is a temporary residence permit for conducting a business, through your own Polish company.
What does your Polish company need to show?
Income of at least 12 times the average monthly gross wage in the region where it's registered, generated in the 12 months before you apply. At the national average, that's about $28K.
How much personal income do you need?
Stable, recurring income of at least $198/mo for you, plus $153/mo for each family member. A board salary, dividends, or other income can count.
Timeline and presence
How long does Poland residency take?
Plan on 6 months from filing to your residence card.
Can you apply for Poland residency from abroad?
No. You file while you're legally in Poland, and you're in Poland legally from filing until the decision. We prepare everything first, so your time on the ground is short.
How much time do you need to spend in Poland?
The permit is for people who live in Poland and lead their company there. For long-term residence, no absence can be longer than 6 months, and absences can't add up to more than 10 months over 5 years.
Citizenship
How long until you can get Polish citizenship?
About 8 years: 5 years to EU long-term residence, then 3 more years with it. You'll also need B1 Polish, stable income, and a home in Poland.
Does Poland allow dual citizenship?
Yes. Poland doesn't require you to give up your other citizenship, though in Poland you're treated as a Polish citizen. Whether you can retain your first citizenship depends on its law. If you're a US citizen, the US allows it.
Do you need to speak Polish?
Not for your temporary permit. EU long-term residence and citizenship both need certified B1 Polish, so most clients start lessons in their first year.
Family, tax and living
Can your family join you in Poland?
Yes. Your spouse and children under 18 can apply for family reunification once you've lived in Poland for 2 years. Before then, a spouse can join your company's board and apply on the same route.
How does Poland tax new residents?
Only if you become a tax resident: More than 183 days in a year, or your center of vital interests in Poland. Residents pay tax on worldwide income, and a lump-sum regime covers all foreign income for a fixed $51K/yr. If you're a US citizen, you file US taxes too. We review your position before you move.
Is it right for you?
Poland vs Latvia for EU residency through a company: Which is better?
Poland lets you build a company on a small capital base and lead it from one of Europe's largest economies. Latvia needs more capital and less time in the country. We compare both on a Freedom Consult.
Is Poland residency worth it?
For clients who want an EU base for a business and a life in Poland, it is. Whether it's worth it for you depends on your plans, so book a Freedom Consult and we'll tell you on the call.
Documents and approval
What documents does Poland residency require?
Your passport, a photo, health insurance, proof of accommodation and income, and your company's records and business plan, plus civil records for anyone applying with you. The document checklist on this page lists each one.
Working with the Freedom Files
What does the Freedom Files do on your application?
We review your eligibility, assemble and check your documents, and optimize your application for approval. We have a 100% approval rate so far. We prepare and file your application, liaise with the government, coordinate your consular appointments and communication, and support you through your arrival in Poland, when your residency or citizenship is formalized. We're your single point of contact from start to finish.
Who does the legal work?
Our Poland team can provide any legal, tax, financial, immigration, or investment advice and services you need. You work with one team from your first call to your arrival.
What does the Freedom Files charge?
Prices differ by program, because each program has its own costs and its own currency. You get a fixed quote in writing before any work begins. Government fees and third-party costs are listed separately, and you pay them directly.
How does the Freedom Files get paid?
We accept card, wire or ACH transfer, Bitcoin, USDC, and most other payment methods. You choose whether to pay for our services up front or monthly through the end of your engagement.
What if you need more than one country, or help with tax and banking?
That's what the Private Client Engagement is for. A long-term case manager with global expertise, always reachable on WhatsApp, manages your whole Plan B: Residency and citizenship in more than one country, tax strategy, banking and asset protection, and introductions for your move.
What if this program is the wrong fit?
Compare it with the alternatives on this page. Then book a Freedom Consult: If you're ready to move forward, we tell you which programs are best for you.
How do I start?
Book a Freedom Consult. There's no charge.
Start Your Poland Residency
If Poland is the wrong fit, we tell you on the first call.