Auranik

FOREIGN SPOUSE, FOREIGNER SPONSOR

Joining a spouse who is a foreigner already living in Poland

This route starts with a sponsor-eligibility test -- your sponsor's residence status and duration matter as much as the marriage itself.

Auranik provides administrative information, document-preparation tools and consulting support. We are not a government authority and do not make decisions on residence, work permits or visas.

First: does your sponsor qualify?

Unlike joining a Polish citizen spouse, this route starts with a sponsor-eligibility test. Your sponsor (the foreigner already living in Poland you’re joining) must hold one of the statuses below, plus sufficient income, health insurance, and secured accommodation.

  • A permanent residence permit
  • EU long-term resident status
  • Refugee status
  • Subsidiary protection
  • Humanitarian-stay consent
  • A temporary residence permit held continuously for at least 2 years, with the most recent grant at least 1 year

Some other temporary-permit categories may also qualify -- confirm your sponsor’s exact permit type with the office rather than assuming.

Does your sponsor hold one of these statuses?

Official source

Ustawa z dnia 12 grudnia 2013 r. o cudzoziemcach, Art. 159

Art. 159 - Przesłanki obligatoryjnego udzielenia zezwolenia na pobyt czasowy w celu połączenia się z rodziną

Verified:
18 August 2026
Status:
Verified
View official source

Income -- practical benchmark, not a precise formula

The sponsor needs stable, regular income -- here’s the commonly used reference

The statute itself only requires income “sufficient to cover living costs” without stating a PLN figure. Polish practice commonly benchmarks this against the general social-assistance income criterion -- Auranik shows it here as that practical reference, not as a number the law states directly.

Living alone

1010 PLN / month

Per additional family member

823 PLN / month

Official source

Rozporządzenie Rady Ministrów z dnia 12 lipca 2024 r. w sprawie zweryfikowanych kryteriów dochodowych oraz kwot świadczeń pieniężnych z pomocy społecznej

Kryterium dochodowe pomocy społecznej — kwoty

Verified:
18 August 2026
Effective from:
1 January 2025
Status:
Verified
View official source

Preparation checklist

Temporary Residence Checklist — Family Reunification with a Foreigner Sponsor

0 of 9 documents ready

  • Copy of the sponsor's residence permit or decision

    Confirms the sponsor holds a qualifying status (permanent residence, EU long-term resident, refugee/subsidiary protection, or 2+ years of temporary residence with the most recent grant at least 1 year).

    RequiredPrepared by: SponsorCopy Not an official form

  • Marriage certificate

    Confirms the legally recognized marriage forming the basis of the application.

    RequiredPrepared by: Foreigner or SponsorOriginalTranslation required Not an official form

  • Evidence of the sponsor's stable and regular income

    The sponsor must show income sufficient to cover their own and their family's living costs -- commonly assessed against the social-assistance income criterion.

    RequiredPrepared by: SponsorCopy Not an official form

  • Proof of the sponsor's health insurance

    A granting condition -- public healthcare coverage (e.g. via employment/ZUS) or an equivalent private policy.

    RequiredPrepared by: SponsorCopy Not an official form

  • Evidence of the sponsor's secured accommodation in Poland

    A granting condition (e.g. tenancy agreement, ownership document, or a statement from the person authorized to provide accommodation).

    RequiredPrepared by: SponsorCopy Not an official form

  • Applicant's passport

    Standard identification requirement for the application.

    RequiredPrepared by: ForeignerOriginal Not an official form

  • Current biometric photograph

    Standard photo requirement for the residence card that would be issued.

    RequiredPrepared by: ForeignerOriginal Not an official form

  • Additional evidence the relationship is genuine

    As with other family-based routes, the office may assess whether the relationship is genuine beyond the certificate itself.

    Situation-dependentPrepared by: Foreigner or SponsorCopy Not an official form

  • Proof of payment of the application fee

    Required alongside the application; confirm the current amount with the competent office before paying.

    RequiredPrepared by: ForeignerCopy Not an official form

This route depends on your sponsor’s exact circumstances -- a personal review can save time before you submit.