Overstay in Poland: return decision, entry ban and assisted return
An overstay leads to return proceedings by the Border Guard. A return decision can give a period for voluntary departure, can include assistance with return, and comes with an entry ban. The period can be extended once for exceptional personal reasons. Official pages also refer to humanitarian stay and tolerated stay, but their conditions could not be read.
Moving to Poland
Practical facts for newcomers, from official sources Finance Living
Finance
3
Currency
Polish Zloty
PLN
Polish Zloty
Cost of living
55
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
12–32%
Income tax (national)
VAT 23%
Tax scale: 12% less a PLN 3,600 reducing amount (effectively PLN 30,000 tax-free) up to PLN 120,000, then 32%; optional 19% flat rate for business income.
Living
1
Happiness
#23 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Eligibility
Who it’s for: People in Poland who overstayed or have no valid document.
Who starts it
Sign in to check this route against your profileThe Commander of a Border Guard Post or Division.
Voluntary departure
Sign in to check this route against your profileYou must leave Poland within the voluntary departure period set in the return decision.
Voluntary departure period
- Border Guard leafletminimum 15 days
- 15 to 30 days
- 2023 Office for Foreignersstated new minimum
- 8 days
- The two sources give different minimums.
- Leaving for another Schengen state does not satisfy the decision.
Official wording
The Border Guard leaflet says 15 to 30 days. A 2023 Office for Foreigners page says the minimum changes to 8 days. Leaving for another Schengen state does not satisfy the decision.
Extending the period
Sign in to check this route against your profileThe departure period can be extended once, for up to one year.
Extension limits
- Number of extensions
- Once
- Maximum length
- Up to one year
- Reasons: your required presence, Poland's interest, or an exceptional personal situation.
- Personal situation examples: long stay, family ties, a child's schooling.
Official wording
Once, for your required presence, Poland's interest, or an exceptional personal situation, such as long stay, family ties or a child's schooling. Up to one year.
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Other routes to Poland
- Visit & tourismSchengen tourist & business visa
- StudyTemporary residence permit for studies / national D visa for study
- Work permitsWork permit for a Polish entity entrusting work to a foreigner (formerly type A) and temporary residence and work permit
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