PESEL is the Polish national identification number: 11 digits, where the first 6 encode the holder’s date of birth and the rest are assigned with a check digit. Every Polish citizen gets one automatically at birth registration; today it’s printed on the national ID card.
- Is PESEL mandatory for foreigners?
- Who can get a PESEL number
- How to apply
- Why it matters if you’re relocating a business or IT team
- FAQ
Is PESEL mandatory for foreigners?
Having a PESEL number is technically voluntary for foreigners residing in Poland, but we strongly suggest getting one, as it makes daily life and business administration much easier (banking, signing contracts, registering a company, getting a Trusted Profile).
Who can get a PESEL number
Any foreigner residing in Poland, temporarily or permanently, can obtain a PESEL number, including holders of:
- a temporary residence permit;
- a national (type D) visa, if staying longer than 30 days;
- a permanent residence permit;
- an EU long-term resident card;
- British nationals who registered their status during the Brexit transition period.
Since 1 March 2023, Ukrainian citizens who arrived after 24 February 2022 and have no other Polish legalization document receive a PESEL number with a special UKR status, which unlocks simplified legalization, healthcare access, and social benefits. Note that in 2026, PESEL UKR holders are subject to a mandatory identity/biometric re-verification requirement, with parts of the status at risk of suspension if not confirmed in time; check current deadlines on gov.pl before your appointment.
How to apply
You can obtain a PESEL number when registering your temporary or permanent address of residence (zameldowanie), which, under Polish law, is mandatory anyway if you plan to stay in Poland longer than 30 days. Registration is free and handled at the local borough/commune (gmina) office; you’ll need a document confirming your right to stay at the address (lease agreement, land register extract, or an administrative/court decision).
If a PESEL application is filed on your behalf by a proxy, a 17 zł stamp duty applies (waived for close family members).
Why it matters if you’re relocating a business or IT team
If your company or team has just finished relocating to Poland or moving the business here, we recommend getting a PESEL number for each relocated employee as soon as their rental lease is signed.
After getting a PESEL number, employees can register an ePUAP Trusted Profile: the nationwide platform that makes it much easier to deal with Polish government offices: applying for child benefit, resolving tax issues, obtaining certificates, and more. A Trusted Profile is essentially a must if you plan on running a business in Poland, whether through a registered company (like an LLC) or as a sole trader.
Planning to have team members work as B2B contractors instead of employees once relocated? Keep the July 2026 PIP reform in mind: since 8 July 2026, a Labour Inspectorate inspector can reclassify a B2B contract as an employment relationship without a court ruling if it looks like disguised employment in practice.
FAQ
Do I need to state why I want a PESEL number?
No, you don’t need to specify the legal purpose in your application; confirming your legal stay is enough.
Can I get a PESEL number without registering an address?
In most cases, address registration (zameldowanie) is the path that automatically triggers PESEL assignment; a standalone PESEL application is also possible in specific cases (e.g., PESEL UKR).
Author: the Moja Firma team.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Need help relocating your team or business to Poland? Book a free consultation.
Got a question about this article?
Write it in a comment below. We read every one and reply.
I want to apply pesel for my baby. He was born on march 31 2021in krakow. I did get birth certificate but i didn't get pesel. I already tried to apply here in Myslenice but they have a lot of requirements. How did that possible that it needs a lot of requirements for my baby,in order to get pesel. Thank you for your answer.
Hello Alejandro.
A PESEL for a child born in Poland is normally assigned automatically together with the birth registration, so the first thing to check is whether he already has one. Ask at the registry office that issued the birth certificate: often the number exists and simply was not printed on the document you received.
If it was not assigned, the number follows from registering the child's residence. Once the child is registered at your address, the PESEL is assigned by the same office.
If Myslenice sent you away without explaining which of the two applies, ask them specifically whether the number was assigned at registration of birth. That is the question that unlocks the rest.