Family reunification allows foreigners legally resident in Poland to bring their spouse, children and in some cases other family members to join them. This guide explains who qualifies and what the process involves.
Who Can Apply for Family Reunification
The following family members can apply to join a foreign national living legally in Poland:
- Spouse — in a legally recognised marriage
- Minor children — under 18, including children of only one spouse
- Dependent adult children — in some circumstances
Unmarried partners do not have an automatic right to family reunification. Their applications are assessed individually and require substantial evidence of a genuine relationship.
Sponsor Requirements
The person already in Poland (the sponsor) must meet the following conditions:
- Hold a valid temporary or permanent residence card
- Have held residence cards in Poland for at least 2 years on the basis of consecutive permits, with the current card issued for a period of at least 1 year — or hold a permanent residence card, EU long-term resident card, or refugee status
- Have sufficient income to support the whole household
- Have a place for the whole family to live together
- Have active health insurance covering the incoming family members
The requirement to have held cards for 2+ years is the most common reason family reunification applications are rejected or delayed — and note that meeting the 2-year total is not enough on its own: your current card must still be valid for at least 1 year at the time of application. Start planning early.
The 2-year waiting period does not apply if the sponsor holds a Highly Qualified Employment permit (EU Blue Card), an intra-corporate transfer (ICT) permit, or holds the status of a researcher. These sponsors can apply for family reunification from their first day of legal residence in Poland.
Required Documents
- Marriage certificate (apostilled and translated into Polish)
- Birth certificates for children
- Sponsor's current residence card
- Proof of income (payslips, employment contract)
- Rental agreement confirming shared accommodation
- Health insurance for all family members
- Passport photos and passport copies for all applicants
The Application Process
Applications are submitted at the Voivodeship Office in the region where the family will live. Each family member requires a separate application form, but applications can be submitted together and handled as a coordinated process.
If family members are currently abroad without a visa, the sponsor in Poland submits the application on their behalf at the relevant Voivodeship Office. The family does not apply directly at a consulate — once the Voivodeship Office issues its decision, family members can then apply for a national D-type entry visa at their local Polish consulate based on that decision. They collect their residence cards after arriving in Poland.
Rights After Approval
Once approved, family members receive their own residence cards, valid for the same period as the sponsor's card. They are entitled to work in Poland without additional permits and access to education and healthcare on the same basis as the sponsor — provided the permit was granted under the official family reunification procedure. If the application was submitted under "other circumstances" (for example, because the sponsor did not yet meet the 2-year requirement), family members will not have automatic work rights and a separate work permit will be required.
For professional support coordinating your family's applications, see our Family Reunification service. The free assessment can help confirm whether your situation meets the requirements.