Change of https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-poland
Change description : 2020-03-10 15:45:00: A new link to the Polish Office for Foreigners' FAQs on residency rights and an updated link to Polish government guidance on healthcare. [Brexit]
Showing diff : 2020-01-24 09:13:53 +00:00..2020-03-10 15:48:00 +00:00
Guidance
Official information for UK nationals moving to or living in Poland, including guidance on Brexit, residency, passportspassports, healthcare and healthcare.the Withdrawal Agreement.
You should:
The UK is leaving the EU. This page tells you how to prepare for Brexit and will be updated if anything changes. You should:
The British Embassy regularly holds events across Poland for UK nationals. Attend one of our citizen outreach meetings to keep up to date on working and living in PolandPoland.
YouThe Withdrawal Agreement sets out the terms of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and provides for a deal on citizens’ rights. It sets out a transition period which lasts until 31 December 2020. During this time you can alsocontinue readto Livinglive, work and study in the EU: preparebroadly as you did before 31 January 2020.
If you are resident in Poland at the end of the transition period, you will be covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, and your rights will be protected for Brexitas long as you remain resident in Poland.
Any rights that are not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement will be the subject of future negotiations. Read this guidance page for more information
In the meantime, make sure you are registered as a resident in Poland. We will update this guidance as soon as more information becomes available.
You should also read our guidance on living in Europe.
Check the entry requirements for Poland.
If you are resident in Poland before the transition period ends on 31 December 2020, you will be able to stay.
If you’re staying in Poland for more than 3 months, you must register your address with the Department of Foreigners at your local Voivodeship office. if you haven’t done so yet.
You can also find out how to apply for permanent residency at your local Voivodeship office.
Check the locations of local Voivodeship officesOffices in Poland and where you should register your stay.
Read the Polish Office for Foreigners guidance on residency and the transition period and their Frequently Asked Questions.
If the authorities think you may be a Polish national, for example if you have Polish parents, grandparents or great grandparents, they might research your family history. Your application may take longer than usual to process.
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You can apply for or renew your British passport from Poland.
See our travel advice for Poland and sign up to email alerts for up-to-date travel information on local laws and customs, safety and emergencies.
Check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip. Your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay; you do not need any additional period of validity on your passport beyond this.stay.
You’ll need to renew your passport before travelling if you do not have enough time left on your passport.
The rules on travel will stay the same until the end of the implementation period on 31 December 2020. During this time you can continue to travel to countries in the Schengen area or elsewhere in the EU with your UK passport.
We will update these pages with details of any changes to the rules as soon as information is available. You should sign up for updates to this guidance.
Driving licence rules will stay the same until 31 December 2020.
UK licences are only valid in Poland for the first 6 months of residence. After 6 months, you must exchange your driving licence for a Polish licence. You can still use your Polish licence in the UK for short visits or exchange it for a UK licence without taking a test if you return to live in the UK.
For information on driving in Poland, read the information on:
When driving, you should always have your:
Read our guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK.
You should read the European Union’s guidance on car registration and taxes in Poland. You may be exempt from some of these taxes. If soso, you will need certificates of exemption.
DrivingIf licenceyou rulesare willliving stayin thePoland sameor untilmove there permanently before 31 December 2020.2020, you’ll have life-long healthcare rights in Poland as you do now, provided you remain resident.
You must be registered for healthcare as a resident in Poland, and if necessary, with healthcare insurance.
Read the Polish Ministry of Health guidance about the transition period and your healthcare rights in Poland (in Polish).
Read our guidance on who can access healthcare in Poland and how to register.
If you live in Poland and receive an exportable UK pension, contribution-based Employment Support Allowance or another exportable benefit, you may currently be entitled to state healthcare paid for by the UK. You will need to apply for a certificate of entitlement known as an S1 certificate.
You can apply for an S1 certificate through the Business Services Authority.
If you are resident in Poland, you must not use your EHIC from the UK to access healthcare in Poland.
When you travel from Poland for a temporary stay in another European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland, you can use an EHIC to access state-provided healthcare in that country. During that short stay:
If you are a student, read the NHS guidance on healthcare and studying abroad.
You can find an English-speaking doctor in Poland.
You should also check your prescriptions are legal.
There will be no changes to your healthcare access before 31 December 2020. You can also continue to use your EHIC, as you did before, during this time.
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Read our guidance on working in anotheran EU country.
You may need to apply for a UK police certificate.
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Youror before 31 December 2020, your right to work will stay the same, as long as you remain resident in Poland.
If you are resident in Poland on or before 31 December 2020, your right to study will stay the same, as long as you remain resident in Poland.
Read the Polish government’s information about access to education in Poland for children of UK nationals (in Polish).
Get your UK professional qualifications recognised in Poland before Brexit..
Recognition decisions made on qualifications obtained in the UK or the EU before 31 December 2020 are not affected.
If you have not had your professional qualifications recognised, you will have until 31 December 2020 to submit an application under the current rules.
Read the Polish government website about professional qualifications and Brexit and the guidance about professional qualifications issued by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
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You should read the guidance on:
We recommend you get professional advice on paying tax in Poland.
Find English-speaking lawyers in Poland.
You may be able to pay National Insurance while abroad to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances.
If you are employed or self-employed in the EU or EEA and you have a UK-issued A1/E101 form, you will remain subject to UK legislation until the end date on the form.
Brexit will not change existing double-taxation arrangements for UK nationals living in Poland. You should direct individual taxpayer questions about double-taxation to the relevant tax authority.
You will need to tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.
There will be no changes before 31 December 2020 to the rules on claiming the UK State Pension in the EU, EEA or Switzerland as a result of the UK leaving the EU.
If you retire in Poland, you can claim:
If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you need to respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you don´t.
There will be no changes before 31 December 2020 to the rules on claiming the UK State Pension in the EU, EEA or Switzerland as a result of the UK leaving the EU.
You can continue to receive your UK State Pension if you live in the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you can still claim your UK State Pension.
If you are living in the EU, EEA or Switzerland by 31 December 2020 you will get your UK State Pension uprated every year for as long as you continue to live there. This will happen even if you start claiming your pension on or after 1 January 2021, as long as you meet the qualifying conditions explained in the new State Pension guidance...
If you are living in Poland by 31 December 2020, you will be able to count future social security contributions towards meeting the qualifying conditions for your UK State Pension.
If you work and pay social security contributions in Poland, you will still be able to count your UK social security contributions towards your Polish pension. This will happen even if you claim your pension after the31 endDecember of2020.
Read theour implementationguidance period.on benefits and pensions in the EU.
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You may still be able to claim some UK benefits like child and disability benefits if you live in Poland. You can:
If you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks, many income-related benefits such as pension credit and housing benefit can’t be paid.
You can request proof of the time you’ve worked in the UK from HMRC if you are asked for this.
You may be eligible to claim some Polish social security benefits. To find out if you are entitled to Polish benefits and how to claim, read the EU’s guidance on claiming benefits in Poland.
There will be no changes before 31 December 2020 to the rules on claiming UK benefits in the EU, EEA or Switzerland as a result of the UK leaving the EU.
If you are living in the EU, EEA or Switzerland by 31 December 2020, you will continue to receive any UK benefits you already receive. This will continue for as long as you live there and meet all other eligibility requirements.
If you work and pay social security contributions in Poland, your UK social security contributions will be taken into account when applying for Polish contributions-based benefits. This will happen even if you claim contributions-based benefits after the31 endDecember of the implementation period.2020.
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AfterYou Brexit, you may not be able to vote in localsome elections in Poland. The UK iselections. pursuingYou acan:
After Brexit, you willwould nolike longer be able to vote in European elections.
If your child is born in Poland, you will need to register the birth abroad.
If someone dies in Poland you can:
Find out how you can get married abroad.
Find out about notarial and documentary services for UK nationals in Poland.
You may also need English-speaking lawyers in Poland.
Read our guidance on buying a property abroad.
AfterYou Brexit, you may haveneed to get a permit from the Minister responsible for home affairs to buy property.
Current pet travel rules will stay the same until 31 December 2020.
If you’re travelling with your pet for the first time you must visit your vet to get a pet passport.
Read guidance on bringing your pet travelto the UK.
As well as the European emergency number 112, Poland also has:
See Poland – emergency numbers.
If you need urgent help, contact the British Embassy Warsaw.
Tell the Polish and UK authorities if you are returning to the UK permanently.
To move your pension to the UK, contact the International Pension Centre.
If you get healthcare in Poland through the S1 form, you must contact the Overseas Healthcare Team on +44 (0)191 218 1999 to make sure your S1 is cancelled at the right time.
Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on, amongst other things, tax, access to services and bringing family members.
Please note that this information is provided as a guide only. Definitive information should be obtained from the Polish authorities. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
A new link to the Polish Office for Foreigners' FAQs on residency rights and an updated link to Polish government guidance on healthcare.
Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity, healthcare rights and State Pension uprating if the UK leaves the EU with a deal.
Brexit update: healthcare section updated to reflect transitional arrangements announcement
Brexit update: List of outreach events for UK nationals in Poland updated.
Brexit Update: Pensions section updated to include further details on State Pension uprating.
Brexit: We have added new information on residency, recognition of professional qualification, pensions and benefits.
EU Exit update: We have added new information in the "Passports and travel after the UK leaves the EU section"
We've updated information on voting in the European Parliament elections.
EU Exit update: New information added in passports and travel after the UK leaves the EU, pensions after the UK leaves the EU and returning to the UK.
EU Exit update: updated information on healthcare, visas and residency, driving licences and voting.
We have updated the contact details you need to apply for an S1 form.
The Polish Office for Foreigners has published a brochure on Polish residency provisions for UK nationals living in Poland after the UK leaves the EU. We have added a link to the brochure.
We have added information on upcoming community outreach events.
The Polish Office for Foreigners has published an update for UK Nationals in Poland - we have added it to the guide.
Updated information on passports: you must use the checker tool to see if your passport is still valid for your trip
EU Exit update - Updated information on access to healthcare
EU Exit update: updated information on pensions and driving.
EU Exit update: New information in residency and visa section on draft withdrawal agreement in principle between the UK and EU. Plus information on travelling with pets in Europe in Pets section.
Complete revision of guidance to ensure it's up to date and accurate.
First published.
2025-12-11 13:31
Added new information for dual citizens travelling to the UK (‘Passports and travel’ section).
2025-12-09 13:58
Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand.
2024-10-11 10:48
Added information on getting a certificate of clear criminal record.
2024-06-14 15:04
Added information regarding the EES in Visas and Residency part
2023-01-11 13:14
Added new guidance to the visas and voting sections.Polish government guidance added for crossing the border if you are a UK national.
2022-08-19 10:23
Guidance has been reviewed and updated.
2022-03-11 11:40
Important information in the Working in Poland, and National insurance sections if you work in Poland, even it if it is for an employer based in the UK.
2022-01-01 07:00
Visas and residency guidance updated, following the 31 December 2021 residency deadline for people with rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.
2021-09-17 11:55
Support from the UK Nationals Support Fund will end on 30 September 2021. You should contact the UK Nationals Support Fund implementing partner before this date if you require additional support. If you are already being assisted by our implementing partner, they will continue to assist you until you have made your application.
2021-09-14 14:40
If you require additional support with your residency application, you should contact the UK Nationals Support Fund implementing partner before 30 September 2021. If you are already being assisted by our implementing partner, they will continue to assist you until you have made your application.
2021-05-27 07:44
Updated guidance on how to exchange your UK driving licence for a Polish one.
2020-11-06 10:38
Visas and Residency section updated with information on the new residency system and a link to new Polish government guidance.
2020-09-07 14:20
Passports and travel section updated to include information on passport validity and entry requirements when travelling to other European countries from January 2021
2020-07-08 07:53
Visas and residency section updated to include information about how to access the UK Nationals Support Fund for those who may find it harder to complete their residency applications.
2020-03-10 15:45
A new link to the Polish Office for Foreigners' FAQs on residency rights and an updated link to Polish government guidance on healthcare.
2020-01-24 09:10
Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity, healthcare rights and State Pension uprating if the UK leaves the EU with a deal.
2019-09-23 16:45
Brexit update: healthcare section updated to reflect transitional arrangements announcement
2019-09-20 14:24
Brexit update: List of outreach events for UK nationals in Poland updated.
2019-08-01 09:32
Brexit: We have added new information on residency, recognition of professional qualification, pensions and benefits.
2019-06-03 11:09
EU Exit update: We have added new information in the “Passports and travel after the UK leaves the EU section”
2019-04-15 12:51
EU Exit update: New information added in passports and travel after the UK leaves the EU, pensions after the UK leaves the EU and returning to the UK.