School for a foreigner's child in Poland is compulsory regardless of the parents' basis of residence: compulsory education is tied to the child living in Poland, on the same terms as for Polish children.

School for a foreigner's child: how to enrol step by step

The application is submitted at the local district school assigned to the actual place of residence, not the registered address, though the address itself also matters for other official matters, as described in the article on residence registration and address of residence (zameldowanie). Enrolment requires: the child's identity document, documents confirming prior schooling, if available, and the parents' contact details.

What if certificates from the home country are missing

Missing certificates from the home country do not block admission to school. The child is then assigned to a class based on age and an interview at the school. The right of foreigners' children to education on the same terms as Polish citizens follows from the Act of 14 December 2016, the Education Law (Prawo oświatowe, Articles 165-166), and from the regulation of the Minister of National Education of 23 August 2017 on the education of persons who are not Polish citizens.

What language support is available to the child

Pupils who do not know Polish, or whose command of it is insufficient, are entitled to three forms of help: additional, free Polish-language lessons, additional catch-up classes in school subjects, and support from a person who speaks the child's native language, employed as a teaching assistant. Support is available for a limited time and within a set weekly scope, and the school confirms the current rules for a given pupil. Whether classes are actually run has to be checked at the school office: schools differ in what they actually provide.

Ask the school office directly about three things: extra Polish lessons, catch-up classes, and help from an assistant who speaks the child's language. A specific question gets a specific answer about what is available at that particular school.

Is preschool compulsory

One year of preschool preparation is compulsory only for 6-year-olds, in the year before starting primary school; the municipality (gmina) then has a duty to provide the child with a place in a facility. For younger children, from age 3, preschool education is a right, not an obligation, and places are allocated through recruitment under criteria set by the municipality or the facility. Recruitment deadlines are fixed and announced in advance. It is worth checking them at the municipal office before the child's planned arrival.

How much does public school cost

Education in a Polish public school is free, including for foreigners' children covered by compulsory education. The parent covers the cost of school supplies, meals and class trips. Available forms of financial support can be asked about at the school and at the municipal office.

When to register the child for health insurance

A child is not insured automatically: they must be registered as a family member for health insurance through the contribution payer, usually the parent's employer. The parent has 7 days to inform the contribution payer that they want to register the child for insurance, counted from the day the registration duty arose, and for a newborn from the day the PESEL number is assigned. The payer then submits the actual registration to the NFZ (National Health Fund). Registration does not change the amount of the health contribution, but without it a doctor's visit is often charged. The rules on health insurance for the employee and their family are described in the article on NFZ and employee healthcare.

When the family has not yet arrived in Poland

Bringing children to Poland requires a separate residence procedure, described in the article on bringing the family to Poland. The district school is assigned based on the child's actual place of residence in Poland, so enrolment is applied for once that address is already known; the school office itself can be contacted earlier. People looking for work with a family move in mind can find current openings on the for employees page.

Frequently asked questions

Does a foreigner's child have to attend school if the parent only has a visa or temporary residence?

Yes. Compulsory education covers every child living in Poland regardless of the parents' basis of residence. Visa status or type of permit makes no difference here.

What documents are needed to enrol a foreigner's child in a Polish school?

The child's identity document, documents confirming prior schooling, if available, and the parents' contact details. Missing certificates from the home country do not block enrolment, and the class is then determined based on age and an interview at the school.

How long does additional Polish-language instruction last for a foreigner's child?

Additional Polish lessons, catch-up classes and help from an assistant who speaks the child's language are available for a limited time and within a set weekly scope. The school confirms the current rules for a specific pupil.

Is education in a Polish public school paid for foreigners?

No, education is free for foreigners' children covered by compulsory education, on the same terms as for Polish children. The parent covers only the cost of school supplies, meals and trips.

Who is responsible for registering a child for health insurance, and by when?

The parent informs the contribution payer (usually the employer) within 7 days of the registration duty arising; for a newborn this is counted from the assignment of the PESEL number. The payer then submits the actual registration to the NFZ.

This text describes the general rules. What you are entitled to depends on your type of contract: an employment contract (umowa o pracę) or a contract of mandate (umowa zlecenie). Your own contract and payslip are what count.