PESEL Number and Trusted Profile (Profil Zaufany) for Non-EU Workers in Poland — Step-by-Step Guide
Working in Poland as a non-EU national? Your PESEL number and Profil Zaufany (Trusted Profile) are two tools that make life in Poland significantly easier — especially when dealing with government agencies, social insurance, and official documents.
What is PESEL?
PESEL is Poland's 11-digit national identification number, assigned to everyone residing or working in the country. For non-EU temporary workers, it's often essential for:
- Registering with ZUS (social insurance)
- Accessing free healthcare through NFZ
- Opening a bank account
- Applying for a temporary residence card (TRC / karta pobytu)
- Setting up a Trusted Profile and using online government services
Who Can Get a PESEL Number?
If you work legally in Poland, you are entitled to a PESEL number. Any one of these is sufficient:
- You are employed under a contract and registered with ZUS
- You are registered at an address in Poland (even temporarily)
- You submit a direct application at a municipal registry office (urząd gminy)
How to Get Your PESEL Number — Step by Step
Method 1: Through ZUS (most common for temporary workers)
If you work through a staffing agency like Nexflow and are registered with ZUS:
- The agency registers you with the social insurance system (ZUS ZUA form)
- ZUS automatically assigns you a PESEL if you don't have one
- You can check your number in your ZUS PUE account (pue.zus.pl)
Nexflow handles this for you — you don't need to do anything yourself.
Method 2: Through temporary residence registration at the municipal office
- Go to the local municipal registry office (Urząd Gminy) for your address
- Fill out a temporary residence registration form
- You'll need: passport + address confirmation (rental contract or landlord's statement)
- A PESEL number will be assigned automatically if you don't have one
Method 3: Direct PESEL application (available from 2023)
Even without residence registration, you can apply for PESEL at any municipal office in Poland:
- Fill out the application form (available at the office or on gov.pl)
- Attach a copy of your passport and a document confirming legal stay (visa, employer's statement)
- The office must assign your PESEL within 30 days
What is Profil Zaufany (Trusted Profile)?
Profil Zaufany is a free electronic tool that lets you verify your identity when dealing with Polish public authorities online — without visiting an office.
With a Trusted Profile you can:
- Apply for a temporary residence card (TRC) online
- Manage your ZUS PUE account
- Check your NFZ health insurance status
- Communicate with the tax office (e-Urząd Skarbowy)
- Access government services on gov.pl
Important: You need a PESEL number before you can set up a Trusted Profile.
How to Set Up Your Trusted Profile
Option A: Through a bank (fastest)
Many Polish banks (PKO BP, Santander, ING, mBank, Alior Bank) allow you to confirm your Trusted Profile through their banking app:
- Go to profil.gov.pl
- Choose "Załóż Profil Zaufany" (Set up Trusted Profile) → "Przez bankowość elektroniczną" (via online banking)
- Log into your Polish bank through gov.pl
- Confirm — your Trusted Profile is activated immediately
Option B: Through ePUAP with an office visit
If you don't have a Polish bank account:
- Submit an application online at profil.gov.pl
- Within 14 days, visit any confirmation point: municipal office, ZUS office, employment office, or post office
- Show your passport and sign the confirmation
- Your Trusted Profile is activated on the spot
Checklist — PESEL and Profil Zaufany
- ☑ Ask Nexflow if you already have a PESEL (we obtain it when registering you with ZUS)
- ☑ If not — submit an application at the municipal office or ask the agency for help
- ☑ Once you have PESEL — register your Trusted Profile at profil.gov.pl via your bank
- ☑ Activate your ZUS PUE account (pue.zus.pl) — check your insurance status
Need Help?
Nexflow helps temporary workers navigate the paperwork in Poland. If you have questions about PESEL, ZUS, or other documents — message us on WhatsApp or contact our office. We're here to help.