Language requirements for foreigners in Poland – residence, citizenship, studies
Polish law requires proof of Polish language skills in only a few cases. To be recognised as a Polish citizen and to obtain an EU long-term resident permit, you need at least B1; to study in Polish, at least B2; and to attend a post-secondary school, a certificate of at least B1. For a permanent residence permit, the Act on Foreigners does not require any level, and for the Karta Polaka a basic knowledge of the language is enough, which the consul can assess in an interview. Want to know how far you are from the required level? A teacher will assess it at a trial lesson with a diagnosis.
What level and what document you need in your case
The table below brings together the language requirements from the legislation currently in force – we checked every entry against the text of the act or regulation (as of 3 October 2026). We describe the details and common pitfalls on the subpages of this section.
| Case | Required level | Document | Legal basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Recognition as a Polish citizen | at least B1 | state certificate of proficiency in Polish, or a certificate of completing a school in Poland or a school abroad where Polish is the language of instruction; a post-secondary school certificate is not enough | Article 30(2) and (2a) of the Act on Polish Citizenship (Dz.U. 2025 item 1611) |
| EU long-term resident permit | at least B1 | a document from the list issued by MSWiA, the Ministry of the Interior and Administration (state certificate, ECL, telc, university certificate, sworn translator qualifications), or a school certificate (not from a post-secondary school) or a university diploma with Polish as the language of instruction | Article 211(1)(3) and (3)–(5) of the Act on Foreigners (Dz.U. 2025 item 1079); MSWiA regulation (Dz.U. 2023 item 1076) |
| Permanent residence permit | no requirement | – | Act on Foreigners (Dz.U. 2025 item 1079) |
| Karta Polaka | ‘at least a basic knowledge’ – no specific level | school document or certificate, or an interview with the consul (or the voivode, the regional government representative) | Article 2(1)(1) of the Act on the Karta Polaka (Dz.U. 2026 item 76) |
| University studies taught in Polish | level set by the university, not lower than B2 | document specified in the university’s admission rules | Act of 4 April 2025 (Dz.U. 2025 item 622) |
| Studying at a post-secondary school (szkoła policealna) | at least B1 | certificate of proficiency in Polish | Article 165(5a) of the Education Law (added by the act in Dz.U. 2025 item 622); regulation of the Minister of Education (Dz.U. 2026 item 1139) |
| Right to practise as a doctor or dentist under the simplified procedure | at least B1 | a document from the Minister of Health’s list (published in the BIP, the Public Information Bulletin) | Article 7(23) of the Act on the Professions of Doctor and Dentist (Dz.U. 2026 item 37) |
Important: this overview is about language only. We do not cover the other conditions here (length of residence, income, insurance) or how to submit applications – the language requirement is just one of the conditions in each case.
What the law does not require – three common misconceptions
Several claims are repeated online that the text of the law does not support. Before you pay for an exam, check whether you really need it.
- ‘You need B1 for permanent residence’ – no. B1 applies to EU long-term residence, not to permanent residence. We explain where this confusion comes from in the article on permanent residence.
- ‘The Karta Polaka requires B1’ – no. The act refers to a basic knowledge of the language; you can read how to prepare for the interview in our guide to the Karta Polaka.
- ‘Only the state certificate now counts for EU long-term residence’ – no. ECL, telc, a university certificate and sworn translator qualifications are still on the list. Only the acceptance of post-secondary school certificates has ended.
Which document to choose if you are planning several applications
If you first apply for EU long-term residence and later for citizenship, the simplest option is a state certificate of at least B1 – the same document meets the requirement in both cases. ECL and telc certificates are on the list for EU long-term residence, but the Act on Polish Citizenship specifies the state certificate. Before you choose, compare ECL, telc and the state exam. We have collected the dates, fees and structure of the state exam in our guide to the B1 exam.
How to reach the required B1 or B2 level
First check your current level, and only then choose an exam session. Someone who can get by in a shop and at work is often at A2 level – B1 already requires you to tell a story fluently, write a letter and justify an opinion.
- Take a placement test or book a trial lesson with a level assessment.
- Work out which document you need (see the table above) and by when.
- Practise every part of the exam, including writing and speaking – on our B1 exam preparation course lessons are held online, with explanations in Polish, English, Russian or Spanish.
Will the requirements change?
As of 3 October 2026, the B1 requirement for citizenship remains unchanged. A presidential bill amending the Act on Polish Citizenship (print no. 1759) is before the Sejm, while the outline with a B2 level announced by MSWiA has not been submitted to the Sejm as a bill. We describe the current status on the page about proposed changes to citizenship law.
In this section
- B1 for citizenshipApplying for citizenship? Check which documents prove B1 and which the office will reject.Read →
- B1 for EU residenceWhich language document the office accepts for EU long-term residence – the full list and the changes for post-secondary schools.Read →
- Permanent residence and B1We correct a popular myth: a B1 certificate is not required for permanent residence – find out when you will need one.Read →
- B2 for universitySince July 2025, a university cannot admit a candidate with a level below B2 to a degree taught in Polish.Read →
- B1 for post-secondary schoolSince September 2025, a foreigner cannot start a post-secondary school without a B1 certificate.Read →
- B1 for doctorsThe B1 requirement for the right to practise as a doctor under the simplified procedure – and how to prepare for it despite your shifts.Read →
- Citizenship law changesWhat is a bill, what was rejected and what really applies – the state of work in the Sejm and the B1 requirement, without rumours.Read →
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a Polish language certificate for every residence permit?
No. In the Act on Foreigners, the requirement to prove knowledge of Polish appears only for the EU long-term resident permit.
Is one B1 certificate enough for both EU long-term residence and citizenship?
A state certificate of at least B1 meets the requirement in both cases. ECL and telc certificates are on the list for EU long-term residence, whereas the Act on Polish Citizenship specifies the state certificate.
Does Pol-Langua issue a certificate accepted by the authorities?
No. We are a language school, not an exam centre – we prepare you for the exam, and the certificate is issued after you pass the state exam.
How do I know this information is up to date?
We checked every requirement against the consolidated texts of the acts in the Sejm API (ELI); the date of the check is shown above the table, and links to the acts are in the sources below.
Sources
- Act on Polish Citizenship (Ustawa o obywatelstwie polskim), consolidated text Dz.U. 2025 item 1611 – Article 30(2) and (2a)
- Act on Foreigners (Ustawa o cudzoziemcach), consolidated text Dz.U. 2025 item 1079 – Article 211(1)(3) and (3)–(5)
- Regulation of the Minister of the Interior and Administration (MSWiA) of 31 May 2023 on the list of documents confirming knowledge of Polish (EU long-term resident), Dz.U. 2023 item 1076 – annex
- Act on the Karta Polaka (Ustawa o Karcie Polaka), consolidated text Dz.U. 2026 item 76 – Article 2(1)(1)
- Act of 4 April 2025 amending certain acts to eliminate irregularities in the visa system, Dz.U. 2025 item 622 – Article 7 (Education Law, Article 165(5a)) and Article 10 (university studies)
- Regulation of the Minister of Education of 25 August 2026, Dz.U. 2026 item 1139 – B1 certificate on admission to a post-secondary school
- Act on the Professions of Doctor and Dentist (Ustawa o zawodach lekarza i lekarza dentysty), consolidated text Dz.U. 2026 item 37 – Article 7(23)
In a trial lesson we estimate how much work stands between you and the level your case requires.
See also
- B1 examWho takes the B1 exam, what it looks like, what it costs, when the sessions are and how to prepare.1 490 PLNRead →
- Karta PolakaWhat level of Polish you need for the Karta Polaka, who assesses it and how to prepare for the interview.890 PLNRead →
- B1 courseA programme covering every part of the state exam and two mock exams marked by the teacher.1 490 PLNRead →