Building a new life abroad is easier with your family by your side. Polish law allows foreigners who live in Poland legally to be joined by their closest family members through a temporary residence permit for family reunification. Here is how it works.
Who counts as family?
For family reunification, family members generally include:
- your spouse, where the marriage is recognised under Polish law,
- your minor children — and your spouse's minor children — including adopted children who depend on you.
Other relatives, such as parents or adult siblings, usually need to use a different route.
Who can act as the sponsor?
Eligibility depends on your own status in Poland. Holders of a permanent residence permit, an EU long-term resident permit or an EU Blue Card can usually apply for their family straight away. Holders of other temporary permits, including standard work-based permits, generally need to have lived in Poland legally for a longer period and to hold a permit that remains valid for some time. Because these conditions depend on the details of your permit, it is worth having your situation checked before you start.
What you will need to show
- stable and regular income that is sufficient for you and your family — it is assessed against Polish social assistance thresholds for each person in the household,
- health insurance for every family member,
- accommodation — usually a rental agreement or proof of ownership,
- proof of family ties, such as marriage and birth certificates, authenticated and translated into Polish (see our guide to preparing documents for Poland).
How the process works
In most cases, family members first come to Poland on a national visa and then apply for their own temporary residence permit through the online MOS system before their visa expires. The procedure is similar to other residence applications: an online application, supporting documents, fingerprints at the voivodeship office and, finally, a residence card.
What your family can do in Poland
- Work: family members who hold a residence permit granted for family reunification can generally work in Poland without a separate work permit.
- Go to school: children of foreigners have the right to free education in Polish public schools under the same conditions as Polish children, and schools offer additional Polish lessons to children who need them.
- Access healthcare: an employee covered by public health insurance can register family members for coverage through their employer's ZUS registration.
Practical tips for a smooth move
- Start collecting documents early. Authentication and translation can take weeks.
- Find family-sized housing first. A suitable rental agreement is part of your application.
- Research schools and nurseries in your area before you arrive.
- Keep copies of everything. You will need the same documents again for future renewals.
We help families move together
Our Family and Education Support service covers family relocation, dependent visas, study programmes and school admission assistance. Book a consultation and we will map out the steps for your family.