Studying in Poland
- visaMandatory
National visa type D for studies — validity capped at 1 year
Non-EU students need a type D national visa obtained BEFORE arrival at a Polish consulate; it cannot be obtained on arrival. Validity may not exceed one year, which is why the residence permit below matters for longer programmes.
- When
- after_offer
- Exempt
- AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LI, LT, LU, LV, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK
migrant.info.pl · 2026-08-17 · Polish consulate / embassy
The period of validity of a national visa may not exceed 1 year. — 'A visa is obtained prior to arrival in Poland at the appropriate consulate or embassy.'
- financial_proofMandatory
Sufficient funds — NO published figure
Applicants must document funds for living costs, study costs and return travel, but NO PLN figure per month or year is published on the official page — it states the requirement qualitatively only and warns its list is not exhaustive.
- When
- with_application
- Exempt
- AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LI, LT, LU, LV, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK
migrant.info.pl · 2026-08-17 · Voivodeship Office; Polish consulate at the visa stage
documents confirming that the foreigner has sufficient funds to cover their costs of living in Poland, the costs of study and return travel to the country of origin or residence, and the costs of residence
- healthMandatory
NFZ voluntary health insurance agreement for non-EU students
Non-EU/EEA students not otherwise covered must sign a voluntary agreement with the National Health Fund and pay their own contributions, stated as about EUR 15 a month. EU/EEA students rely on the EHIC instead.
- When
- after_arrival
- Exempt
- AT, BE, BG, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LI, LT, LU, LV, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK
study.gov.pl · 2026-08-17 · Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia (NFZ)
they are required to sign a voluntary health insurance agreement with the National Health Fund
- fee_statusMandatory
Polish-language study at public universities is FREE; other languages are paid
A route many learners miss. Full-time studies IN POLISH at state institutions are free for Polish students and for foreigners studying on terms applicable to Polish citizens. All other foreigners pay, averaging about EUR 2,000/year.
- When
- after_offer
- Exempt
- AT, BE, BG, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LI, LT, LU, LV, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK
study.gov.pl · 2026-08-17 · Individual institutions; Ministry of Science and Higher Education
Full-time studies (in the Polish language) at the state Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are free for Polish students and foreigners who commence studies on terms applicable to Polish citizens — 'These include citizens of the EU/EEA and students who hold the Polish Charter (Karta Polaka).'
- registrationMandatory
Temporary residence permit — apply BEFORE the visa expires
A first-year student gets the permit for 15 months, renewable up to 3 years but never beyond the studies. It must be applied for BEFORE the visa expires — missing that makes the stay irregular and can end the student's legal presence regardless of enrolment.
- Costs
- PLN 340
- When
- after_arrival
- Exempt
- AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LI, LT, LU, LV, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK
migrant.info.pl · 2026-08-17 · Voivodeship Office (Urzad Wojewodzki)
The stamp duty for examining the case of granting a temporary residence permit is PLN 340 or PLN 440 depending on the basis on which the application was submitted. An additional PLN 100 for the issuance of a residence card must be paid. ⚠ CONFLICT, RECORDED NOT RESOLVED: study.gov.pl states the proc
- credential_verification
Nostrification — only where NO recognition route exists
⚠ NOT universally required, contrary to common belief. Nostrification applies only where a diploma cannot be recognised as equivalent under an international agreement. Degrees from EU, OECD and EFTA institutions are recognised automatically.
- When
- with_application
- Exempt
- AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LI, LT, LU, LV, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK
nawa.gov.pl · 2026-08-17 · Polish university with academic category A+, A or B+ in the discipline
Nostryfikacji podlega dyplom ukonczenia studiow za granica, ktory nie moze byc uznany za rownowazny odpowiedniemu polskiemu dyplomowi i tytulowi zawodowemu na podstawie umowy miedzynarodowej