Family Reunification in Poland — How to Get a Residence Permit for Your Spouse and Children

Working in Poland is often just the first step — many workers want their whole family to join them. Polish law allows the spouse and minor children of a legally working foreigner to obtain lawful residence in Poland. This guide explains who can apply, what documents you need, and how the process works.

Who Can Bring Their Family?

If you hold a valid temporary or permanent residence permit in Poland (e.g., a karta czasowego pobytu), you have the right to apply for family reunification. This covers:

• your spouse (formally married — civil partnerships are not legally equated with marriage in Poland);
• minor children under 18 — both joint children and children of one spouse under that spouse's custody.

As the applicant (the person already living in Poland), you must meet these conditions:

• a stable and regular income sufficient to support your family;
• accommodation (rental agreement or ownership);
• health insurance (NFZ or private) for the family members coming to join you.

What Documents Do You Need?

Documents from the applicant (person living in Poland):

• application form for a temporary residence permit (available at the office or its website);
• copy of your current residence card;
• proof of income (employment contract, employer's pay statement, bank statement);
• rental agreement or proof of property ownership;
• confirmation of health insurance for the family members arriving.

Documents for the arriving family member:

• valid passport (original + copy);
• 4 passport-size photos;
• marriage certificate (for spouse) or birth certificate (for children) — translated by a sworn translator into Polish;
• a visa, if the person's country requires one for entry into Poland.

How Does the Process Work?

1. Entry into Poland — the family member travels to Poland legally (with or without a visa, depending on their nationality).
2. Submit the application — at the Voivodeship (Provincial) Office for your place of residence.
3. Confirmation stamp — after submitting, the office stamps the passport confirming that the application is pending and that the stay is legal.
4. Document review — the office may request additional documents or invite you for an interview.
5. Decision and card issuance — upon a positive decision, each family member receives their own temporary residence card.

Expected waiting time: 1 to several months depending on the province and completeness of documents.

Can My Spouse Work?

Yes — once your spouse receives a residence card through family reunification, they have the right to work without a separate work permit. The residence card and a valid passport are sufficient.

Practical Tips

• Documents from abroad must be translated by a sworn translator. An apostille stamp may be required depending on the issuing country.
• Register your family member's address — complete the zameldowanie (address registration) at your address after they arrive.
• Health insurance — if your spouse is not working, you can add them as a dependent under your NFZ cover.
• Nexflow can help — consult us before you start gathering documents; we support workers through the legalisation process.

Summary

Bringing your family to Poland is possible if you are legally employed and meet the income and housing requirements. Once your family members receive their residence cards, your spouse can work legally without a separate work permit.

Looking for stable work in Poland so you can build a life for your family? Contact Nexflow — we help foreign workers with legalisation and connect you with reliable employers.