Your first 6–12 months in Poland

This is a planning guide, not a timeline that applies to everyone. Your right to stay, work, and apply for a permit depends on your citizenship, reason for stay, and documents. Confirm your own situation with the Polish authorities.

Start learning practical Polish

Even a little Polish helps with appointments, signs, parcel collection, landlords, and everyday errands. Set a small routine you can sustain: learn greetings and numbers, practice phrases for your actual week, and ask a Polish speaker to help you rehearse situations you find stressful. Keep official names of documents and offices written down so you can recognize them.

Use supermarket apps to spot deals

Once you know which supermarkets are convenient, check their apps or weekly leaflets before shopping. Lidl Plus and the Biedronka app regularly show offers, but the conditions vary by product and promotion.

Lidl has some offers that do not require the app, but many deals are tied to Lidl Plus. Its app coupons need to be selected and activated before checkout, then you show the app’s code as instructed. Biedronka has general promotions as well as loyalty-card and app offers. Some advertised discounts are available to everyone, while others require a Moja Biedronka card/account or a particular app offer; check the shelf label and promotion terms. Some app offers are tied to your account, and certain coupons need to be activated first. Compare the unit price, quantity limits, dates, and any minimum-purchase requirement so a promotion is actually useful for you.

See the current Lidl Plus information, Lidl’s coupon activation instructions, and Biedronka’s FAQ on app offers and Moja Biedronka.

Explore neighborhood markets

Markets are another way to get to know your area and find seasonal produce, bread, cheese, flowers, and other local goods. In Kraków, try Stary Kleparz, a long-running market near the Old Town. In Warsaw, examples include Hala Mirowska and neighborhood bazaars, and Hala Gwardii. These markets are useful for browsing and discovering local products; prices may not always be lower than supermarkets. Check current opening times before you go.

If you are staying on a visa, plan the TRC process early

A temporary residence card (often called a TRC) is the card issued after a temporary residence permit is granted. If you expect to stay beyond your current visa or other lawful stay, identify the correct permit basis and start preparing well in advance. Do not wait until your visa is close to expiring: evidence, translations, appointments or account setup, and corrections can take time, and processing queues may be long.

As of 27 April 2026, most applications for temporary residence permits are submitted electronically through the government’s MOS portal. The Office for Foreigners says the system is free to use and applicants can apply without a paid intermediary. Read the current MOS instructions and the guidance from the voivodeship office responsible for where you live; the right process and supporting documents depend on your case.

If you can afford it, consider getting a qualified immigration lawyer or reputable law firm to review your application and explain the risks. This is a personal recommendation, not a requirement: an intermediary does not guarantee approval, and you remain responsible for checking what is filed on your behalf. Avoid anyone promising a guaranteed permit.

Watch every message and deadline

Use the official portal and contact details you provide to monitor your case. Open official messages promptly, check whether the office requests missing documents, and note the response deadline immediately. Some requests can give you a short time to reply; missing a deadline may affect the case. Keep copies of submissions, attachments, confirmations, and correspondence. If you move, check the official rules for updating your address and ensure you can receive correspondence.

If a letter or portal message is unclear, ask the responsible voivodeship office or your qualified adviser what it requests and by when. Do not assume that a pending application gives you permission to travel or work: verify those rights for your circumstances with an official source.

Useful official sources

• Office for Foreigners: MOS system and residence applications.
• MOS government application portal.
• Ministry of Interior: entry and residence conditions.
• Office for Foreigners: legality of residence.
• Lidl Plus and Biedronka app and loyalty-card FAQ.

This page is general orientation, not legal advice. Immigration rules, store offers, and app features change; verify current conditions with the relevant authority or retailer. Sources last checked 10 October 2026.