Study in Poland

Poland

Poland is a Schengen EU member state with a large public higher-education sector, affordable tuition compared with Western Europe, and growing English-taught programs. Non-EU international students generally need a national D-type visa before arrival and must legalize stay with a temporary residence permit for studies within the first months after entry. Since July 2025, many foreign secondary-school certificates require a NAWA recognition statement via the SYRENA system before university enrollment.

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Language: PolishCurrency: PLNVisa: National D-visa / Residence permit for studiesUniversities: 16+

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16+ in Poland

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Country guide

Visa and legal stay

Non-EU/EFTA nationals typically apply for a D-type national visa at a Polish consulate in their country of legal residence before travel.
EU/EFTA citizens do not need a visa but must apply for a temporary residence permit after starting studies if staying longer than 90 days.
After arrival, students must apply for a temporary residence permit for studies (karta pobytu) before their legal stay expires; first permits are commonly issued for about 15 months.
Student residence permits can be renewed annually until studies are completed; permits also allow limited work during studies.

Education recognition (NAWA / SYRENA)

Certificates from EU, OECD, EFTA countries, IB/EB diplomas, and some bilateral-agreement countries are often automatically recognized.
Other foreign secondary-school certificates generally require a free NAWA Director recognition statement submitted digitally through SYRENA.

Quick facts

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Region

Europe

Latitude

Longitude

Subregion

Central Europe

Official study resources

Study in Poland
Official portal for universities, applications, scholarships, and tuition

Popular institutions

University of Warsaw

Popular

Warsaw

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Jagiellonian University

Popular

Kraków

Health insurance and finances

Visa applicants must show travel medical insurance with at least EUR 30,000 coverage including emergency care and repatriation.
Financial proof must cover monthly living costs (minimum about 776 PLN/month for a single person), accommodation costs stated in housing proof, and return travel (about 2,500 PLN from non-neighboring countries).
After arrival, students typically enroll in NFZ voluntary health insurance (about 55-65 PLN/month) or maintain qualifying private coverage.
National visa fee is about EUR 80; residence permit fees are about 340 PLN stamp duty plus 100 PLN card issuance.

Why study in Poland

Visa and legal stay
Non-EU/EFTA nationals typically apply for a D-type national visa at a Polish consulate in their country of legal residence before travel.
Education recognition (NAWA / SYRENA)
Certificates from EU, OECD, EFTA countries, IB/EB diplomas, and some bilateral-agreement countries are often automatically recognized.
Health insurance and finances
Visa applicants must show travel medical insurance with at least EUR 30,000 coverage including emergency care and repatriation.

Visa overview

Non-EU/EFTA nationals typically apply for a D-type national visa at a Polish consulate in their country of legal residence before travel.
EU/EFTA citizens do not need a visa but must apply for a temporary residence permit after starting studies if staying longer than 90 days.
After arrival, students must apply for a temporary residence permit for studies (karta pobytu) before their legal stay expires; first permits are commonly issued for about 15 months.
Student residence permits can be renewed annually until studies are completed; permits also allow limited work during studies.