Brexit: UK citizens urged to exchange their permits before 31 December

The Polish Office for Foreigners has called on British nationals and their family members who want to continue their stay in Poland to apply for new residence permits by 31 December 2021. After the December deadline, residence documents issued before 2021 will no longer be valid.

Those covered by the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement should submit their applications in person to the relevant Voivodeship Office - detailed information on what to prepare and application forms can be found online (e.g. on the website of The Department for Foreigners - The Office of Wielkopolska Province). The application process is free of charge.

Poland has adopted a declaratory system for UK nationals living in their country, meaning Britons will not lose their rights under the Withdrawal Agreement if they fail to apply for a new residence permit in time. However, they are strongly encouraged to do so as they can benefit from a simplified administrative procedure.

UK nationals who have not obtained a residence permit yet are also advised to register their residence status in Poland - those applying before the end of 2021 will receive an application certificate (valid for one year), which will serve as a temporary residence permit. So far, the Office for Foreigners have received 3,700 of such applications.

Who is covered by the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement?

UK nationals living in any EU country by 31 December 2020 are covered by the agreement provided that they:

• are a worker or self-employed person in the country they’re living
• are a student who can show they have enough money to live on and have comprehensive sickness insurance
• are a self-sufficient person who can show they have enough money to live on and have comprehensive sickness insurance, or
• already have the right of permanent residence.

Family members of UK nationals who meet any of the above conditions are also covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, as are frontier workers (those who live in one EU country but work in a different EU country).

For more information on the rights of UK nationals after Brexit, please visit the website of the Polish Office for Foreigners.