Legal Requirements
Polish Language Requirements for Karta Pobytu
If you are planning to settle in Poland permanently, you will likely need to prove your Polish language skills. Here is a breakdown of the language requirements for permanent residency and citizenship.
Karta Pobytu Stałego (Permanent Residency)
To apply for a Permanent Residence Permit (Karta Pobytu Stałego) in Poland, you must demonstrate Polish language proficiency at the B1 level or higher. The most common way to prove this is by passing the official State Certification Exam in Polish as a Foreign Language.
Polish Citizenship
Similarly, applying for Polish citizenship (Uznanie za obywatela polskiego) requires a B1 Polish language certificate. The language requirement ensures that new citizens can integrate and function independently in Polish society.
Exemptions
You may be exempt from taking the state exam if you have graduated from a school or university in Poland where the language of instruction was Polish, or if you hold a school-leaving certificate from a Polish school abroad. Always verify current exemption rules with your local Urząd Wojewódzki.