The short answer: you need a PESEL, then you can set it up
Profil zaufany (trusted profile, often shortened to PZ) is a free tool for logging in to Polish public e-services and signing documents online with a trusted signature. According to the official gov.pl FAQ, anyone can set one up who is at least 13 years old, has a PESEL number and has full or limited legal capacity. Citizenship is not one of the conditions.
For most foreigners the real first step is therefore getting a PESEL. Once you have it, you choose a confirmation method. Several online methods depend on Polish identity documents, so many foreigners confirm their profile through a bank that offers the service or in person at a confirmation point. Creating and using the profile is free.
Why foreigners in Poland need one
A trusted profile is one of the signing tools the Office for Foreigners accepts in the MOS portal, where most residence applications have been filed online only since 27 April 2026. The other accepted tools are a qualified electronic signature and a personal signature on a Polish electronic ID card, which most foreigners do not have. Our MOS application guide explains that process.
The same profile also logs you in to services the gov.pl page lists: ePUAP for many administrative applications, PUE ZUS for social insurance, the Internet Patient Account (IKP) for e-prescriptions and referrals, biznes.gov.pl for registering and managing a sole proprietorship, and e-Urząd Skarbowy for filing tax returns such as PIT.
Setup methods and which ones work for foreigners
The official FAQ lists several ways to confirm a profile. They differ mainly in which identity document they rely on, so check the requirement before you start. The two methods based on Polish documents are realistic only if you hold a Polish ID card or passport, which most foreign residents do not.
If no online method fits, start the application online and then confirm it in person at a confirmation point (punkt potwierdzający). The FAQ explains that the in-person step exists for security, because the officer checks your data against your identity document and the PESEL register. It cannot be replaced by a letter or an email.
| Method | What you need | Practical fit for foreigners |
|---|---|---|
| Bank or other identity provider | Online banking with a bank on the official list | Works if your bank is listed; the list is limited |
| E-dowód | Polish ID card with an electronic layer and an NFC reader or phone | Only for holders of a Polish ID card |
| Video call with an official | A valid Polish ID card, or a valid Polish passport if you ever had a Polish ID issued after 2000 | Generally not available without Polish documents |
| Qualified certificate | A qualified certificate, an NFC reader and the Podpis GOV app | Works if you already have a qualified certificate |
| In person at a confirmation point | An identity document such as a passport or residence card | The usual route when no online method fits |
Confirming in person: documents and where to go
The FAQ names a passport, a residence card or an ID card as examples of documents that clearly confirm your identity at a confirmation point. Bring the document whose data matches what is in the PESEL register, because the officer compares the two. A mismatch in the spelling of your name or in your date of birth is a common reason for delay.
You do not have to go to the office for your registered address. The FAQ states that you can confirm your profile at any confirmation point, including points abroad, and gov.pl publishes a finder for them. Separately, the FAQ notes a special route for adult Ukrainian citizens covered by the 2022 assistance act, who can confirm a profile while getting a PESEL.
Using a foreign phone number
Your profile is tied to a phone number used for authorisation. If you want to register with a foreign number, or change to one later, the FAQ says to call the service desk on +48 42 253 54 50 to have the number verified. The line works on working days from 7:00 to 18:00 Polish time.
Think about this before you start if you rely on a SIM card from your home country. A number you can reliably receive messages on matters more than the country code, because losing access to it can lock you out of signing. If you change numbers, update the profile while you can still log in.
Validity, renewal and the one-profile rule
A trusted profile is valid for three years from the date it was confirmed, according to the official FAQ. You can extend it by another three years at any time by logging in and choosing the option to extend validity, without visiting an office. Note the expiry date when you set it up, because an expired profile cannot sign a pending application.
You can have only one valid trusted profile, because each profile is linked to one PESEL number. If you lose access, use the recovery and login options on the official pages instead of trying to create a second profile. If you set it up through a bank, logging in with the bank only works with the bank the profile is linked to.
Security: keep the profile yours
A trusted signature has legal effect in public matters, so treat your profile like a passport. Never share your login details, codes or authorisation messages with an agent, employer or friend. The Office for Foreigners gives the same warning for MOS logins, because someone with your credentials can file or view documents in your name.
If someone helps you with an application, the safe pattern is that they explain and check the documents while you log in and sign yourself. Be suspicious of offers to set up a profile for you for a fee. Setting one up is free, and the confirmation step is designed to check that you are the person applying.
Next steps
If you do not have a PESEL yet, start there. Then check whether your bank appears on the official list of identity providers. If it does not, start the trusted profile application online and book or visit a confirmation point with your passport or residence card. Record the expiry date and set a reminder well before it.
Once your profile works, test it by logging in to a service such as PUE ZUS before you need to sign anything urgent. If you are preparing a residence application and want help organising the documents, see the Immigration & Residence Toolkit or contact us. Auranik does not create or hold trusted profiles for clients.
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreigner get a Profil Zaufany?
Yes. The official FAQ sets three conditions: you are at least 13, you have a PESEL number and you have full or limited legal capacity. Citizenship is not a condition, so a foreigner with a PESEL can set one up.
Profil Zaufany FAQ (gov.pl) →Does Profil Zaufany cost anything?
No. The official FAQ states that creating and using a trusted profile is free. Be careful with anyone who charges to set one up, because you must confirm your own identity yourself.
Can I use the video call method with a foreign passport?
Not according to the current FAQ. The video call requires a valid Polish ID card, or a valid Polish passport if you have ever had a Polish ID card issued after 2000. Foreigners usually use a listed bank or confirm in person.
How long is a trusted profile valid?
Three years from the date it was confirmed. You can extend it by another three years at any time by logging in, so you do not need to visit a confirmation point again for a renewal.
Can I use Profil Zaufany to sign a residence application in MOS?
Yes. The Office for Foreigners lists a trusted profile among the accepted ways to sign MOS applications, together with a qualified electronic signature and a personal signature on a Polish electronic ID card.
Community content reflects individual experiences and should not be treated as legal, immigration, financial or government advice.
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