Apostille and Legalization of Foreign Documents in Poland in 2025 — Don’t Be Misled by False Information
Recently, a wave of misinformation has been spreading online claiming that on May 12, 2025 the President of Poland signed amendments to the legislation, according to which foreign state documents (such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, name change certificates, etc.) will be accepted by Polish authorities only if they have an apostille or legalization. As a professional immigration law firm in Poland, we would like to clarify that this information is false and misleading. The Truth Behind the Headlines The President of Poland has NOT signed any legal amendments introducing such a requirement. No such law has come into force, nor are there any officially published legislative proposals currently under review. The rules regarding recognition of foreign official documents in Poland have not changed. What Rules Apply Now? The recognition of foreign official documents in Poland has always been regulated by bilateral agreements signed between Poland and certain countries. This means: If your country has a bilateral agreement with Poland regarding mutual recognition of documents — no apostille or legalization is required. If there is no such agreement — your document must be either legalized or have an apostille to be accepted by Polish authorities. Why This Matters Following misleading or unofficial information can result in: Wasted time and money on unnecessary legalization/apostille, Unjustified stress or panic. What Should You Do? If you’re applying for TRC in Poland, PRC in Poland, Polish citizenship, marriage, or you’re in the process of any other administrative procedures in Poland: Do not trust rumors or unofficial sources. Consult with a qualified legal advisor. Check if your country has an agreement with Poland. Our Support Our experienced team of lawyers and immigration specialists provides consultations to foreigners on issues of document recognition, legalization and registration of stay in Poland. Sign up for a legal consultation to: check the requirements for your documents, avoid negative decisions in administrative proceedings, get professional legal assistance. Book your legal consultation today! Be careful. Trust only verified sources and professional lawyers.
The President of Poland granted Polish citizenship to Jesse Eisenberg
Jesse Eisenberg, an American actor and director known for his roles in films such as The Social Network and Now You See Me, has officially received Polish citizenship. The citizenship ceremony took place at the Permanent Mission of Poland to the United Nations in New York, where President Andrzej Duda personally presented the citizenship certificate. Polish Roots and Eisenberg’s Motivation Jesse Eisenberg has often talked about his Polish-Jewish heritage and his connection to Poland. His ancestors were originally from Poland, which influenced his decision to apply for Polish citizenship. In interviews, the actor has frequently expressed a desire to bring his family closer to Polish culture and to work more often in Poland. The Citizenship Application Process Eisenberg applied for Polish citizenship approximately 9 months ago. During his visit to Poland in May 2024, as part of the Impact 2024 congress in Poznań, he stated that the process was in its final stage and was awaiting only the official signature of the Polish president. Involvement in Polish Film Projects Beyond expressing his ties to Poland, Eisenberg has actively participated in film projects set in Poland. His latest film, set in Polish realities, recently hit the cinemas, further strengthening his bond with Poland. The Symbolic Meaning of Granting Citizenship The decision by President Andrzej Duda to grant Jesse Eisenberg Polish citizenship carries symbolic significance, highlighting Poland’s openness to individuals with Polish ancestry and recognizing their contribution to promoting Polish culture on an international level. Eisenberg’s case demonstrates that people with Polish roots who wish to reconnect with their ancestral homeland have a pathway to obtaining Polish citizenship. How to Obtain Polish Citizenship? The case of Jesse Eisenberg shows that Polish citizenship can be obtained not only through birth or long-term residence but also through a discretionary procedure, where the decision is made by the President of Poland. However, this is just one of the available paths. In practice, there are various ways to apply for a Polish passport. How Can We Help? Our law firm specializes in immigration matters, assisting clients with obtaining Polish citizenship, legalization of log-term stay and activity in Poland, and other immigration-related issues. If you also wants to apply for polish citizenship, contact us – we will analyze your situation and guide you through the entire process.
Polish Passport Ranks 7th in the World in 2025 – Better than the US and Canada
As of 2025, the Polish passport has climbed to the 7th position in the global passport ranking, offering holders unprecedented travel freedom. With access to 188 visa-free or visa-on-arrival destinations, Polish passport holders are now among the most mobile in the world—surpassing passports from countries like the United States, Canada, and Japan. If you’ve ever considered acquiring polish citizenship, this remarkable achievement should encourage you to take the next step. Whether you seek greater global mobility, business opportunities, or a more secure future, now is the perfect time to explore how polish citizenship can transform your life. Why the Polish Passport Is So Powerful The polish passport is now ranked 7th globally in terms of visa-free travel access, offering its holders the ability to visit 188 destinations worldwide without needing a visa or with visa-on-arrival access. To put this in perspective, this ranking puts Poland ahead of several highly regarded countries: United States: 186 visa-free destinations (Ranked 9th) Canada: 188 visa-free destinations (Ranked 7th) Japan: 193 visa-free destinations (Ranked 2nd) Singapore: 195 visa-free destinations (Ranked 1st) Here’s why this ranking makes the Polish passport so desirable: Access to the European Union: Poland, as a member of the EU, offers its citizens the freedom to live, work, and study across all EU member states. The ability to move effortlessly between 27 countries—including some of the world’s largest economies—opens up countless professional, educational, and personal opportunities. Increased Global Mobility: Polish passport holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to many of the world’s top destinations. This includes countries in Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Oceania, which makes travel far easier and less time-consuming. The ease of access allows for spontaneous trips, business ventures, and cross-border opportunities in ways that other passport holders can’t easily enjoy.Some key regions with visa-free access for Polish passport holders include: Schengen Area: Travel freely across 27 European countries. Asia: Access countries like Japan, South Korea, and India without needing a visa. Australia & New Zealand: Simplified entry to Oceania. Americas: Visa-free access to popular destinations like Brazil, Mexico, and Canada. Business and Career Growth: With access to the EU’s single market and the ability to travel freely, Polish citizens are well-positioned to capitalize on business opportunities across Europe. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a professional, or an investor, the Polish passport facilitates global networking, expansion, and professional advancement. Stability and Protection: The Polish passport offers the benefits of living in an EU member state with a high standard of living, robust social security, and healthcare systems. Additionally, as part of the EU, Polish citizens enjoy strong legal protections, ensuring peace of mind while living and working across Europe. How Does the Polish Passport Compare to Other Leading Passports? When examining global mobility, the Polish passport stands out as one of the most powerful in the world. Here’s how it compares to other leading passports according to the 2025 global passport ranking: Rank Country Visa-Free Destinations 1 Singapore 195 2 Japan 193 3 Germany, South Korea, Spain 192 4 Austria, Netherlands, Sweden 191 5 Switzerland, New Zealand, United Kingdom 190 6 Australia 189 7 Poland, Canada 188 8 Hungary 187 9 United States 186 As you can see, the Polish passport ranks just behind other powerful passports like Japan, Singapore, and Germany. Its impressive access to 188 destinations means that you’ll be able to travel to more countries with ease than many other passport holders, making it an attractive choice for those seeking greater freedom of movement. How to Obtain Polish Citizenship While the polish passport now ranks among the best globally, obtaining polish citizenship may be more accessible than you think. Poland offers several pathways to citizenship, and with expert guidance, you can navigate the process efficiently. The most common routes to obtaining Polish citizenship include: Polish Ancestry: If you have Polish roots, you may be eligible for polish citizenship by descent. Even if you were born outside of Poland, proving your Polish ancestry can help you acquire citizenship. Decision of the President of RP: Every foreign citizen can obtain polish citizenship granted by the President of RP. Decision of the President of the Republic of Poland on granting Polish citizenship to a foreigner does not require justification or meeting certain conditions and is not the subject to appeal. Therefore, this method gives every foreigner the right and the possibility of getting citizenship of Poland. Polish citizenship granted by the Voivode: Foreign nationals who have legally resided in Poland for a specific number of years (typically 5 to 10) and fulfill language and financial criteria may apply for citizenship. For people with Polish roots and for family members of Polish citizens, this procedure is simplified. Thus, in such cases it can take only 1-3 years to get polish citizenship. Get more information on obtaining polish citizenship by the Voivode. Why Choose Our Law Firm? Our law firm specializes in helping individuals like you navigate the process of obtaining Polish citizenship. With a deep understanding of Polish immigration laws and regulations, we offer tailored consultations and expert support to help you achieve your goal of acquiring a polish passport. From gathering the necessary documents and completing your application to court proceedings, we ensure that every step is handled with precision and care. Take the First Step Today There has never been a better time to consider polish citizenship. With a powerful passport offering access to 188 destinations, and the added benefits of living, working, and studying across the EU, polish citizenship opens doors that can enhance your life and future prospects. Whether you’re interested in starting a business, exploring Europe, or securing a better future for you and your family, the Polish passport is a key that unlocks countless opportunities. Contact Us Today! If you’re ready to explore how to obtain Polish citizenship and enjoy the benefits of one of the world’s top passports, get in touch with our experienced team. We’re here to guide you through every step of the process and ensure a smooth and successful application. Tel:
Mysteries of the Immigration Office: The triumph of obtaining an EU long-term resident card in Poland despite pressure to acquire Polish citizenship
Moving to a new country can be a journey full of surprises and challenges, especially when it involves complex legal procedures. Our recent success story showcases the determination and legal expertise that led to our client obtaining a Long-Term EU Residence Card in Poland after years of court proceedings. Despite facing unexpected obstacles, our client’s perseverance and our legal team’s commitment resulted in a favorable outcome that protected his citizenship preferences. At Legal Immigration Poland, we understand the complexities of immigration law and are dedicated to helping our clients navigate these challenges to achieve their desired outcomes. 1. The Journey: Applying for Long-Term EU Residence Card Our client, seeking to establish a new life in Poland with his family, applied for a Long-Term EU Residence Card in Warsaw. After submitting the application, he encountered an unexpected roadblock. Six months later, the Immigration Office issued a negative decision, citing a surprising reason. It was revealed that our client’s father had Polish citizenship in the past, and according to Polish law, had not lost it. This revelation led the Immigration Office to deny our client’s application for the Long-Term EU Residence Card in Poland, suggesting that he was eligible for a procedure related to confirming his Polish citizenship. However, this posed a dilemma for our client. He held British citizenship and was not willing to relinquish it. Frustrated by the negative decision and determined to find a solution, our client reached out to us for legal assistance. 2. Our Solution: Crafting an Appeal and Navigating Court Proceedings Understanding the gravity of the situation, our skilled immigration attorney Patryk Przeździecki delved into the case. We prepared a well-researched and compelling appeal to challenge the negative decision by the Immigration Office. We argued that our client’s preference to maintain his British citizenship should not impede his eligibility for a Long-Term EU Residence Card in Poland. The appeal process led us to administrative court proceedings, where we presented our client’s case in front of a judge. Armed with legal expertise and a deep understanding of immigration law, we diligently argued our client’s right to a Long-Term EU Residence Card based on his specific circumstances. 3. The Triumph: Court Decision Favors Our Client’s Residency Goals After months of waiting and legal battles, our client’s determination paid off. The administrative court recognized the merit of our arguments and acknowledged our client’s unique situation. In a decisive verdict, the court ruled in favor of our client, obliging the Immigration Office to issue the Long-Term EU Residence permit in Poland that our client had been seeking. The court’s decision not only secured his residency status in Poland but also preserved his British citizenship, aligning with his preferences and aspirations. Conclusion: Navigating Challenges with Legal Expertise The tale of our client’s journey to obtaining an EU long-term residence permit in Poland amidst pressure to acquire Polish citizenship reveals the complexities and intricacies of the immigration process. At Legal Immigration Poland, we are committed to assisting our clients in overcoming unexpected hurdles and achieving their immigration goals. This success story underscores our dedication to providing tailored legal solutions that reflect our clients’ individual preferences and circumstances. If you find yourself facing unexpected obstacles in your immigration journey, rest assured that our experienced legal team is here to support you. Contact us today to discover how we can help you navigate the complexities of immigration law and secure your desired outcomes.
Sign Power of Attorney and Protect yourself from the Most Popular reason for Refusal in TRC in Poland
1. What is “Power-of-Attorney”? “Power-of-attorney” is a legal document that allows you to appoint a lawyer, attorney or any other natural person that has capacity to enter into legal transactions to communicate and make decisions on your behalf with respect to court proceedings, properties, finances, children and so on. In immigration cases “power-of-attorney” allows you to officially appoint a person that will represent you in the whole proceeding, take your correspondence from the Immigration Office and guide your immigration case by making decisions on your behalf. In details, this legal document allows: to represent you, your interests and speak on your behalf before not only Immigration Office but also before all public administration bodies in Poland at all stages of your administrative proceedings; to represent you in administrative courts, supreme administrative court and other government authorities; to arrange all formalities regarding your immigrationn issues; to provide all information and submit statements and explanation in your administrative proceedings; to sign documents on your behalf that are required in your case; to contact officials appointed to resolve your case; to receive decisions and any documents regarding your case and so on. However, it should be mentioned that each Power of attorney is individual and may include different permissions to act on your behalf. Above we described the basic permissions for our immigration lawyer Patryk Przedziecki and immigration specialists to handle clients’ immigration cases. However, the list of permissions can be both expanded and narrowed depending on your case and desire. 2. The most popular reason for refusal in TRC in Poland! Do you know one of the most popular reasons for obtaining a negative decision from the Immigration Office regarding foreigners’ TRC in Poland cases? The reason is simple – foreigners do not receive correspondence from the Immigration Office on time, and according to the laws of Poland, the Immigration Office automatically closes their case. This situation worsens even more if your visa (visa-free travel period, residence card, etc.) has already expired and you stayed in Poland legally only on the basis of a stamp in your passport or confirmation of sending an application for TRC by mail. After all, leaving your application for a residence permit without consideration gives you only a few days to leave the territory of Poland. If you have not received this notification too, then after a while you may find out that you were illegally staying on the territory of Poland. 3. Who is responsible in this situation? Is it the fault of the applicant or the Immigration office? Each case is individual. That’s why it is difficult to say whether it’s the fault of the applicant or the Immigration Office. There are some situations that usually cause this problem: Foreigners don’t check their mail boxes regularly. Foreigners don’t inform the Immigration Office about the change of their correspondence address on time. In case foreigners rent a dorm, hostel or room someone else can take their correspondence. Mistakes from the side of employees of Poczta Polska. 4. What is the legal basis of automatic refusal in your residence permit in Poland case? Pursuant to Article 44 §2 and §1 of the Code of Administrative Procedure of Poland it is considered that in the event of failure to collect the parcel within 14 days from the date of notification, the Service of the Post office is completed. It allows the Immigration Office to leave your immigration case without consideration or issue the negative decision, as you “received” their official request and didn’t complete all the required actions and documents within the prescribed period. “Pursuant to Article 44 §2 of the Code of Administrative Procedure, the notice of leaving the letter together with the information on the possibility of its collection within 7 days, counting from the date of leaving the notice in the place specified in §1, is placed in the mailbox or, if it is not possible, on the door of the apartment of the addressee, his office or other place in which the addressee performs his professional activities, or in a visible place at the entrance to the addressee’s property. In the event of failure to collect the parcel within the time limit referred to in §2, a repeated notification about the possibility of collecting the parcel within 14 days from the date of the first notification remains. Service is considered completed on the end of the last day of the period referred to in §1, and the letter is left in the case files.” 5. What is the solution to this problem? Why do you need “Power-of-Attorney”? The solution of the described above danger is quite simple – just sign “Power-of-Attorney” with the lawyer or immigration specialist you trust and allow them to control the whole process of your immigration case. It will help you to protect yourself from the most popular reason for refusal in TRC in Poland! We always recommend our сlients purchase legal assistance services with a “Power-of-Attorney” option, as this allows us to relieve you of all the difficulties of managing your case and communicating with the Immigration Office. What is more, it allows you to travel with peace of mind throughout the entire process of your TRC in Poland case, as we are always there and control all correspondence related to your case. 6. What should I do if the Immigration Office has already closed my case because I didn’t get their letter? If you have already received a negative decision or your residence permit in Poland application was left without consideration due to not receiving a parcel with notification from the Immigration Office, you can send a complaint or file a formal application with complaint to the Administrative Court. However, the result of your complaint will depend not only on your individual circumstances, but also on the legal correctness of the complaint. If you find yourself in a difficult situation, you can always seek help from our immigration attorney Patryk Przeździecki. He always effectively helps not
Count days of Your stay in Poland from the first days of immigration!
Responsible calculation and recording of the dates of all travels within Poland, as well as within the EU and beyond their borders, is the responsibility of every foreign citizen who plans to immigrate to Poland. WHERE CAN THIS SKILL BE USEFUL FOR YOU? 1 – Travel on the basis of a visa-free regime or Schengen visa 2 – Obtaining a long-term EU residence card in Poland 3 – Obtaining citizenship of the Republic of Poland WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF INCORRECT CALCULATION OF DAYS OF YOUR STAY IN POLAND AND EU? 1 – Illegal stay in the EU and, as a result, a restriction on entry into the EU in the future, as well as a fine 2 – Difficulties in obtaining a long-term EU residence card in Poland Namely, there may be problems with confirming the required 5-year legal and continuous stay on the territory of Poland. This is one of the most common reasons for denial of a long-term EU residence card in Poland application! It is quite common for foreigners to miscalculate a couple of days, as well as not to take into account the requirements of “continuous stay”. Continuous stay – the stay of a foreigner on the territory of Poland with breaks not exceeding 6 months, while the total duration of all breaks did not exceed 10 months. (with some exceptions) 3 – Difficulties in obtaining Polish citizenship With obtaining Polish citizenship, the situation is the same as with the long-term EU residence card, but sometimes it can be even more complicated. Since in order to obtain Polish citizenship, in some cases foreigners have to prove their 10-year legal and continuous stay on the territory of Poland. HOW TO KNOW THE DAYS OF YOUR STAY? Unfortunately, the Polish Border Service does not provide foreigners with data on their entry and exit dates from the territory of Poland. Such information can only be obtained by the relevant state authorities upon official request. So, for example, the Immigration Office “Urząd do Spraw Cudzoziemców” will send an official request to the border guard to receive information about your stay in Poland. HOW TO COUNT THE DAYS OF YOUR STAY IN POLAND? The main confirmation of your entry and exit from the territory of Poland and the EU can be stamps in your passport. HOWEVER, if you are traveling on the basis of a residence card, then it will no longer be possible to track the days of your stay by stamps, since the border guards do not fix it in your passport. Moreover, travel within the European Union should also be taken into account, but this will not be noted in the passport. Therefore, you can also track the dates of entries and exits by using your tickets for a plane, train, bus, and so on. WHAT IS THE SOLUTION OF THIS PROBLEM? The best solution of this problem is to strictly count the days of your travels and stays from the first days of immigration to Poland. This will definitely simplify the process of legalization of your stay in Poland and, of course, increase the chances of obtaining a long-term EU residence card and Polish citizenship in the shortest possible time. If you have difficulties with counting the days of your stay and you are not sure about the “continuity” of your stay on the territory of Poland, you can always sign up for a legal consultation with our immigration specialists or a lawyer. We will always be happy to help you with the solution of all problems.
6 signs of Immigration SCAM in Poland. Be careful of fake documents!
1. What is Immigration SCAM? Immigration SCAM on the Internet is a serious criminal offense. Did you know that not only distributors and creators of forged documents are subject to criminal penalties? Few people know, but those who use and present false documents or false information about themselves to customs, border control, any immigration authorities or just the police can also be charged with a crime and are the subject to any criminal penalties. What is more, it is quite difficult even for professional experienced attorneys to prove your innocence in Court in case you are just a victim of immigration SCAM. Unfortunately, many immigrants are too easy targets for scammers. Now we are talking about immigrants who do not understand the immigration process and the requirements of Poland for immigrants, and also do not speak Polish or at least English. Moreover, people who are not familiar with the bureaucratic processes of obtaining Polish documents and want to get a guarantee of 100% result in the shortest possible time. Currently, the immigration SCAM in Poland targets immigrants at all stages of the immigration process. For example, you may be offered a visa to Poland, then a work permit and a residence permit in Poland. However, you will receive fake documents and you can understand it already when your documents are checked by state authorities. Therefore, we invite you to familiarize yourself with the main features of an immigration scam and advice from our attorney below. 2. 6 signs of Immigration SCAM 1 SIGN – The Website does not display a padlock in the address bar A padlock icon in the address bar of your screen proves the security of its visitors. Just check the upper left-hand corner of your screen with the website. Only secure websites have a padlock icon together with the SSL certificate there. Also, secure websites start with HTTPS, not HTTP one. It is important to mention that even if the website appears secure, be cautious and check other features of immigration SCAM on the Internet. Be careful with insecure websites, as these people do not want to show their personal information. What is more, any personal, financial and sensitive information that you enter on such websites can be stolen. 2 SIGN – The URL of the website is totally different from the name of the company If you see the logo and the name of the company is “Nowak&Macijew Partners” but the URL of the website is www.immigration-specialist-pl.com it looks like a not reputable law firm or immigration agency. It is possible that this website is fake. 3 SIGN – “Guaranteed” polish documents in the shortest possible time It is understandable that each immigrant expects a guarantee and short waiting period when paying for legal help in the process of immigration and/or obtaining polish documents. However, it is impossible to predict the final decision of the Embassy of Poland, the Immigration Office and any other public authority. Unfortunately, the decision does not depend only on the quality of the work of a lawyer/immigration specialist. It also depends on the effectiveness of cooperation between lawyer/immigration specialist and immigrant, individual situation and personal history of immigrant, supporting documents of immigrant and so on. That’s why be careful if you see emails, phone calls or websites offering you a “guaranteed” polish documents (e.g. polish visa, residence permit, work permit, etc.), special immigration offers that are too good to be true, a better paying job, faster processing of your application. It can be an immigration SCAM. 4 SIGN – The offer of TRC in Poland without need to come to Poland and personal application The process of obtaining TRC in Poland is quite long and difficult. In order to get TRC in Poland you have to meet certain requirements of the Immigration Office. For example, you have to be in Poland legally and have justification for your stay in Poland for more than 90 days. What is more, you have to apply for TRC in the Immigration Office personally by submitting the whole package of required documents, your fingerprints and passport. The same situation with obtaining a temporary residence card that is already ready. You can take it from the Immigration only personally. NO ONE can apply for TRC or take your TRC card from the Immigration office WITHOUT YOUR PERSONAL PRESENCE. 5 SIGN – Payment requests to personal bank accounts + Requests not to indicate the purpose of the bank transfer A reputable immigration law firm or agency will never ask you to make payment for legal services to a personal bank account of someone. What is more, they will never ask you to make a bank transfer without indication of the purpose of payment. In Poland reputable companies ask clients, for example: to make bank transfer to the bank account of their company with the title of purchased services; to make payment through official secure payment systems, like DotPay.pl; to make bank transfer on the basis of official Invoice Pro that was issued specially for you with your personal data and so on. For example, our law firm “Legal Immigration Poland” most often uses the official payment system DotPay.pl in order to offer clients an easy and secure way of payment for our legal services. 6 SIGN – Poor website content “Poor website content” doesn’t mean only grammatical and orthographic mistakes in the content. It also means that there are no NIP and REGON identification numbers of the company, Privacy Policy, Terms of Service, etc. 3. Consequences of Immigration SCAM Most immigrants are sure that if you are just a victim of immigration fraud and you didn’t know that you used a fake document, then the only problem is wasted money that you voluntarily sent to scammers. However, the situation is completely different as it also causes serious immigration consequences. As we have already mentioned in the beginning of this article, “those who use and present false documents or false information about themselves to customs,