Poland: residence card applications now online only via MOS (from 2026)

What has changed

From 27 April 2026, Poland has fundamentally changed the rules for submitting documents to legalise residence. From now on, applications for a temporary residence permit (karta pobytu czasowego), permanent residence (pobyt stały) and EU long-term resident status are filed exclusively in electronic form through the government MOS portal (Moduł Obsługi Spraw — mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl).

Paper applications that reached the voivodeship offices after 26 April 2026 are left without consideration (pozostawione bez rozpoznania). The date of posting no longer matters — only the date on which the documents actually arrived before the system launch is taken into account.

Who is affected

The new rules apply to all foreigners who plan to obtain or extend a residence permit in Poland. The only exceptions are specific cases (for example, an intra-company transfer or family reunification where the foreigner is outside Poland), for which the paper form is retained.

Special conditions for Ukrainians (the CUKR card):

From 4 May 2026, Ukrainian citizens with UKR status gained the ability to apply for a special residence card valid for 3 years, marked «Poprzednio posiadacz ochrony czasowej» (the CUKR card). To obtain this card, you must meet all four conditions simultaneously:

• Hold an active PESEL UKR status on the day the application is filed.
• Hold an active PESEL UKR status as of 4 June 2025.
• Hold an active PESEL UKR status on the day the card is issued by the voivode.
• Hold continuous UKR status for at least 365 days.

The final deadline for filing a CUKR card application is 4 March 2027.

What to do now

1. Obtain a Profil Zaufany: To log in to the MOS system you must authenticate via the login.gov.pl service, which requires having a trusted profile (Profil Zaufany).
2. Prepare your digital documents: Take a current digital photo (requirements: taken within the last 6 months, size 684 × 883 pixels, JPG format, up to 2.5 MB) and scan all pages of your valid international passport.
3. Pay the fees: Pay the stamp duty for processing the case (340 PLN for temporary residence or the CUKR card) and the fee for issuing the plastic card itself (100 PLN). Keep the electronic receipts in PDF format.
4. Submit the application via MOS: Register at mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl, complete the relevant form (for example, «Wniosek UKR» for the CUKR card), upload the attachments and sign the application with an electronic signature.

Common mistakes

• Sending a paper application by post: Any applications sent in paper form after 26 April 2026 will be ignored by the system.
• Outdated data in the PESEL register: If your data (for example, fingerprints or a signature specimen) in the PESEL register is incomplete, the MOS system will not allow you to file an application for the CUKR card. You must first update your data at the commune office (urząd gminy).
• Failing to collect the finished CUKR card: A foreigner has 60 days to collect the finished CUKR card. If this is not done, the card will be annulled, and the temporary protection will not be transformed into a temporary residence permit.

The rules change frequently — before taking any action, always check the current requirements on the official state source cited above.