By law the voivode has 60 days to decide on temporary residence and 6 months on permanent residence or EU long-term resident status. In practice, in 2026 the average time to decide a temporary residence case ranged from 242 days (Małopolskie (Kraków)) to 658 days (Śląskie (Katowice)).
Statutory deadlines
| Permit | Voivode's deadline | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary residence (incl. residence and work) | 60 days — Art. 112a of the Act on Foreigners | The latest of: a complete application (or the day gaps were filled); submission of documents the office requested. In cases opened before 27 April 2026, also the personal visit and fingerprints. |
| Permanent residence | 6 months — Art. 210(1) | From a complete application (or the day gaps were filled) or from submission of documents the office requested. |
| EU long-term resident | 6 months — Art. 222d(1) | As for permanent residence. |
The deadline does not run from the day you sent the application. If an unread summons is waiting in your case, the clock may not have started yet — check MOS, e-Doręczenia and your post.
Since 27 April 2026 residence applications are filed only electronically through MOS.
Average time in voivodeship offices — temporary residence
Average (not median) of closed cases, from filing to the first-instance decision, excluding card printing. 2026 data up to 6 July 2026.
| Voivodeship | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dolnośląskie (Wrocław) | 401 | 472 | 273 | 303 |
| Kujawsko-pomorskie (Bydgoszcz) | 464 | 517 | 545 | 541 |
| Lubelskie (Lublin) | 211 | 243 | 233 | 386 |
| Lubuskie (Gorzów Wielkopolski) | 398 | 407 | 494 | 555 |
| Łódzkie (Łódź) | 336 | 284 | 336 | 386 |
| Małopolskie (Kraków) | 128 | 145 | 183 | 242 |
| Mazowieckie (Warszawa) | 153 | 200 | 271 | 394 |
| Opolskie (Opole) | 425 | 578 | 604 | 510 |
| Podkarpackie (Rzeszów) | 135 | 189 | 246 | 302 |
| Podlaskie (Białystok) | 184 | 203 | 290 | 447 |
| Pomorskie (Gdańsk) | 314 | 383 | 544 | 598 |
| Śląskie (Katowice) | 427 | 481 | 637 | 658 |
| Świętokrzyskie (Kielce) | 172 | 223 | 276 | 325 |
| Warmińsko-mazurskie (Olsztyn) | 134 | 176 | 211 | 273 |
| Wielkopolskie (Poznań) | 329 | 302 | 344 | 339 |
| Zachodniopomorskie (Szczecin) | 452 | 472 | 465 | 465 |
Fastest in 2026: Małopolskie (Kraków) — 242 days, Warmińsko-mazurskie (Olsztyn) — 273 days, Podkarpackie (Rzeszów) — 302 days. Slowest: Śląskie (Katowice) — 658 days, Pomorskie (Gdańsk) — 598 days, Lubuskie (Gorzów Wielkopolski) — 555 days.
Permanent residence and EU long-term resident
There are no complete figures for permanent residence and EU long-term resident. Known averages:
- Łódzkie (Łódź): permanent residence — 317 days, EU long-term resident — 223 days (NIK (Supreme Audit Office), H1 2025)
- Mazowieckie (Warszawa): permanent residence — 239 days, EU long-term resident — 423 days (2026)
- Opolskie (Opole): permanent residence — 610 days, EU long-term resident — 785 days (voivode's data for 1 Jan – 31 Aug 2026, not verified)
After the decision: printing the card
After a positive decision the card is printed — usually 2–4 weeks. The card fee is paid to the voivodeship office's account after the decision, before you collect the card.
Suspended deadlines (Art. 100d)
Formally, until 4 March 2027, Art. 100d of the Act on assistance to Ukrainian citizens 'freezes' deadlines in residence cases handled by voivodes — for all foreigners, not only Ukrainians. Since 2025 the administrative courts disregard it for delays after 30 June 2024 (e.g. Supreme Administrative Court judgment of 19 May 2025, II OSK 2921/24). Once the deadline has passed, file a ponaglenie and then a complaint to the WSA.
Frequently asked questions
How long does the voivode have to decide on a residence card?
60 days for temporary residence (Art. 112a of the Act on Foreigners) and 6 months for permanent residence or EU long-term resident — counted from a complete application or from submission of the documents the office requested.
How long does a residence card really take in 2026?
According to MSWiA data (up to 6 July 2026), the average temporary residence case took from 242 days (Małopolskie (Kraków)) to 658 days (Śląskie (Katowice)).
Which voivodeship office is the fastest?
In 2026 the shortest average times were: Małopolskie (Kraków) — 242 days, Warmińsko-mazurskie (Olsztyn) — 273 days, Podkarpackie (Rzeszów) — 302 days. The longest: Śląskie (Katowice) — 658 days, Pomorskie (Gdańsk) — 598 days, Lubuskie (Gorzów Wielkopolski) — 555 days.
How long does printing the card take after the decision?
Usually 2–4 weeks.
What can I do when the deadline has passed?
File a free ponaglenie (Art. 37 of the Code of Administrative Procedure) at the voivodeship office and then, at any time after it, a complaint to the administrative court (WSA, 100 zł fee).
Is my stay legal while I wait for the decision?
If you filed the application during a legal stay and without formal gaps, your stay is legal until the decision becomes final — including during an appeal (Art. 108 of the Act on Foreigners).
For information only; this is not legal advice.