Do I need B1 for a permanent residence card?

Not always. B1 is required for the EU long-term resident card and for citizenship. For permanent residence (pobyt stały), the conditions depend on your basis — check with the Urząd Wojewódzki. PolishReady does not give legal advice.

Does an ECL or TELC certificate count?

For EU long-term residence, yes — at B1 or higher. For citizenship, the list names only the State Commission certificate and school certificates.

Is there a special test for karta pobytu?

No. You prove Polish with a document at B1 or higher; most people take the state certificate exam, which runs five times a year.

Can I prepare for B1 online, without a language school?

Yes. The certificate still comes only from the official exam at an authorised centre. Many candidates prepare independently with exam-format practice. PolishReady is online self-study for B1–C1 — not a school course and not a registration office.

Can I register for the exam through PolishReady?

No. Registration is only through authorised examination centres. PolishReady does not book seats, collect exam fees, or issue certificates.

Polish for Karta Pobytu: When You Need a B1 Certificate (2026)

Not every karta pobytu needs a language certificate. Here is where B1 is required, which documents offices accept, and how to prepare. General information only, not legal advice.

Legal Requirements

A Polish certificate at B1 or higher is required for the EU long-term residence permit (after five years of residence) and for recognition as a Polish citizen. For EU long-term residence, the state certificate, ECL or TELC count; for citizenship, the state certificate or a Polish school certificate. For permanent residence (pobyt stały), the rules depend on the legal basis.

Where B1 is required

EU long-term resident card: Yes — B1. Accepted: the state certificate, ECL or TELC, or a Polish school or university diploma taught in Polish
Recognition as a Polish citizen: Yes — B1. Accepted: the State Commission certificate or a Polish school certificate; ECL and TELC are not on the list
Permanent residence (pobyt stały): No general language rule — it depends on the basis (for example Karta Polaka or marriage to a Polish citizen)
A separate “karta pobytu test”: There is none. You prove Polish with a B1 document — usually the state certificate exam

EU long-term resident (karta rezydenta długoterminowego UE)

This permit needs at least five years of continuous legal residence in Poland, a stable income, health insurance and documented Polish at B1 or higher. Offices accept the state certificate, ECL or TELC certificates, and certificates of Polish-taught schools or universities. For applications filed from 1 July 2026, a post-secondary school (szkoła policealna) certificate no longer counts. Applicants under 16 are exempt from the language requirement.

Polish citizenship

Recognition as a Polish citizen (uznanie za obywatela polskiego) requires Polish at B1 or higher, shown by the State Commission certificate or by a school certificate from Poland or from a Polish-taught school abroad. ECL and TELC certificates are not on the list. The government proposed stricter citizenship rules in 2025, including a higher language level; as of October 2026 they are not in force.

Permanent residence (pobyt stały)

A permanent residence permit is granted on specific grounds, such as Polish origin, a Karta Polaka, or marriage to a Polish citizen. There is no general B1 rule for it — the conditions depend on your basis. Many people call the EU long-term resident card a “permanent card” too, so check which permit you are actually applying for at your Urząd Wojewódzki.

How to get the B1 certificate

The state B1 exam has five parts — listening, reading, grammar, writing and speaking — and you need at least 50% in each. It runs in every session: 17–18 October and 5–6 December 2026, then five weekends in 2027. Count back from your application deadline: the certificate arrives after results, not on exam day.

Common questions

Do I need B1 for a permanent residence card?: Not always. B1 is required for the EU long-term resident card and for citizenship. For permanent residence (pobyt stały), the conditions depend on your basis — check with the Urząd Wojewódzki. PolishReady does not give legal advice.
Does an ECL or TELC certificate count?: For EU long-term residence, yes — at B1 or higher. For citizenship, the list names only the State Commission certificate and school certificates.
Is there a special test for karta pobytu?: No. You prove Polish with a document at B1 or higher; most people take the state certificate exam, which runs five times a year.
Can I prepare for B1 online, without a language school?: Yes. The certificate still comes only from the official exam at an authorised centre. Many candidates prepare independently with exam-format practice. PolishReady is online self-study for B1–C1 — not a school course and not a registration office.
Can I register for the exam through PolishReady?: No. Registration is only through authorised examination centres. PolishReady does not book seats, collect exam fees, or issue certificates.

Next steps

Back to exam informationHow registration worksStart preparing for B12027 exam dates

Ready to start preparing?

Join learners preparing for their Polish certification. Start for free — you pay nothing.

Start preparing free