The Polish Education System in 2026: A Guide for Foreign Families

If you’re moving to Poland with children, one of the first practical questions is how the school system works: and whether public education is really free for foreigners. Short answer: yes, state education in Poland is free for every child regardless of citizenship. Here’s how it’s structured as of 2026.

• School structure in Poland today
• Kindergarten and the pre-school year
• Primary school (8 grades)
• Liceum, technikum, and vocational school
• The matura exam in 2026
• Schooling for foreign children: preparatory classes
• FAQ

School structure in Poland today

Since the 2017 reform (the “Prawo oświatowe” act of 14 December 2016, effective from 1 September 2017), Poland’s school system looks like this:

Gimnazjum (the middle-school stage for ages 13-16 that many older guides still describe) is gone from the system entirely: the last intake was in the 2016/2017 school year, and gimnazja stopped existing on 31 August 2019. Children now move straight from the 8-year primary school into liceum, technikum, or a branch school.

Kindergarten and the pre-school year

Kindergarten (przedszkole) admits children aged 3 to 6, occasionally from 2.5. The final year before school, at age 6, the so-called “zerówka” (mandatory one-year pre-school preparation), is compulsory for every child.

Unlike primary school, a place in a public kindergarten is not guaranteed. If there isn’t room, you may need to pay for a private one.

Primary school (8 grades)

Szkoła podstawowa is a single 8-year stage (grades I-VIII) for children aged 7 to 15, split into two blocks:

• Grades I-III: mostly taught by one homeroom teacher, often with descriptive grading;
• Grades IV-VIII: subject teachers take over (math, history, biology, IT, a second foreign language), and grading follows the 1-6 scale (6 = celujący/outstanding, 1 = niedostateczny/fail).

Enrollment follows catchment-area rules: based on your registered address, your child is guaranteed a place in the local district (dzielnica/gmina) school. Registration usually happens in March. There’s now a diagnostic test in grade IV, and at the end of grade VIII students take the mandatory egzamin ósmoklasisty (Polish, math, a foreign language), whose results affect admission to liceum or technikum.

Liceum, technikum, and vocational school

After grade 8, teenagers choose between:

• Liceum ogólnokształcące (LO): 4 years, general education, geared mainly toward university admission;
• Technikum: 5 years, combines a matura diploma with a vocational qualification;
• Szkoła branżowa I stopnia: 3 years, a trade qualification; graduates can continue into szkoła branżowa II stopnia (2 more years) and become eligible to sit the matura.

The matura exam in 2026

Under the “2023 formula,” the matura requires mandatory written exams in Polish, math, and a foreign language at basic level, plus at least one subject at extended level. A mandatory oral exam in Polish and in the foreign language was also added.

The pass threshold is 30% per mandatory subject. Without a matura certificate (świadectwo dojrzałości) you cannot enter university, though post-secondary schools (szkoła policealna) remain accessible without one.

Schooling for foreign children: preparatory classes

Here’s an important update compared to older versions of this article: schools now formally organize oddziały przygotowawcze (preparatory classes) for children who don’t speak Polish: extra Polish-language lessons (several hours a week on top of the regular schedule), adjusted grading, and, where needed, a teaching assistant.

A foreign child has the right to attend a Polish public school for free, regardless of the parents’ residence status, and children of Ukrainian nationals with UKR status benefit from a simplified enrollment procedure even without school records from their country of origin.

FAQ

Does gimnazjum still exist?
No. Since 1 September 2019, gimnazja have been fully phased out; children go straight from primary school into liceum, technikum, or a branch school.

Does a foreign child have to enroll in the grade matching their age?
Not necessarily: a school may recommend a year lower to ease the transition into Polish-language instruction, decided case by case with the school’s director.

Can I choose a school outside my catchment area?
Yes, but admission then depends on the individual decision of that school’s director.

Author: MojaFirma content team.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Every situation depends on the specific school and district. If something about your own situation isn’t quite clear, feel free to book a free consultation with our team.