As of 1 July 2025, new rules come into effect regarding which documents are accepted as proof of knowledge of the Polish language when applying for a long-term EU residence permit. One important change: a certificate of graduation from a szkoła policealna will no longer be sufficient in most cases.
Long-Term EU Residence Permits – What Was Allowed Before 1 July 2025?
Under the law that applies until the end of June 2025, foreigners could show they knew Polish language by presenting a certificate from a Polish school or university where classes were held in Polish.
This included post-secondary schools (szkoła policealna) – meaning schools that offer education after high school but are not universities. As long as classes were in Polish, their certificates were accepted.
Legal Change: Certificates from szkoła policealna No Longer Accepted
On the basis of the Act of 4 April 2025 amending certain acts to eliminate irregularities in the visa system of the Republic of Poland (Ustawa z dnia 4 kwietnia 2025 r. o zmianie niektórych ustaw w celu wyeliminowania nieprawidłowości w systemie wizowym Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Dz.U. z 2025 r. poz. 622), significant changes were made to Article 211(3)(2) and (3) of the Act on Foreigners.
From 1 July 2025, a foreigner may still prove their knowledge of Polish through a certificate of graduation from a school in Poland, as defined in Article 2(2) of the Education Law (Prawo oświatowe), with classes in Polish, excluding certificates from szkoła policealna or by presenting a diploma from a Polish university with instruction in Polish.
🔎 What does this mean?
If you finish a post-secondary school in Poland after 30 June 2025, you won’t be able to use that certificate to prove your knowledge of Polish when applying for the EU long-term residence permit.
Transitional Rules – Two Important Exceptions
There are two situations where a post-secondary certificate can still be used, accordin to the amending act.
✅ Application for EU long-term residence permit before 1 July 2025
According to the new law, if your application was started before 1 July 2025, the old rules still apply.
🔎 Conclusion: If your application was submitted before 30 June 2025, your certificate from a szkoła policealna may still be accepted.
✅ Long-term EU residence permits and completion of post-secondary school before 30 June 2025
Even if you apply after 1 July 2025, you can still use your post-secondary certificate if you graduate before 30 June 2025. This is possible until 30 June 2026.
🔎 Conclusion: If you complete a szkoła policealna by 30 June 2025, you may still use your certificate in applications submitted until 30 June 2026.
Summary: Post-Secondary Schools and Long-Term EU Residence Permits
From 1 July 2025, post-secondary school certificates will generally not be accepted as proof of Polish language skills in EU long-term residence permit applications.
However, there are two exceptions:
- Your application is submitted before 1 July 2025, or
- You finish post-secondary school before that date and apply before 30 June 2026.
If you plan to apply for the EU long-term residence permit, make sure to check when you will finish school and when you apply. The timing can make a big difference.
Do you need help from an immigration lawyer to obtain an EU long-term residence permit? Get professional legal support and improve your chances of a positive decision.
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This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For assistance in individual cases, we encourage you to contact our law firm directly.
