PK Welcome Point

EU citizens

Every EU citizen who plans on staying in Poland for a period up to 3 months, are obliged to register their Temporary Place of Residence (Zameldowanie) no later than on the 30th day after entering Poland.

To register, one needs to submit appropriate documents at the Kraków City Hall (Urząd Miasta Krakowa):

• ✓Filled out form “Zgłoszenie pobytu czasowego” (signed by the owner/administrator of your accommodation place),
• ✓Contract confirming a place of residence (eg. Rental Agreement),
• ✓Valid Passport or National Identity Card.

All submitted documents must be in Polish, so you might need to have some specific documents translated by a certified translator. Registration process is free-of-charge. While registering, one will be assigned an individual PESEL number automatically.

You can find detailed information on Temporary Residence Registration for EU citizens on Euraxess website.

For the residence exceeding 3 months (a continuous 90-day period of stay), an EU citizen must register the EU Residence with the Lesser Poland Viovodship Office (Małopolski Urząd Wojewódzki). To do that, one need to book an appointment by filling out an appointment table and send it to ue@muw.pl. During the in-person meeting following documents should be submitted:

• ✓Filled out “Wniosek o zarejestrowanie pobytu” form,
• ✓4 photos (standard passport size, 35 x 45 mm),
• ✓Valid Passport or National Identity Card,
• ✓A copy of your Health Insurance,
• ✓A confirmation of your student status at CUT (Zaświadczenie o statusie studenta) or an employment contract.

Detailed information regarding the Registration of Residence for EU Citizens can be found on MOS (Foreign Nationals Services Unit) website.

Do not confuse EU Residence Registration with Temporary Place of Residence/Address Registration (Zameldowanie) – if you stay in Poland for longer, you will have to do both.

Non-EU citizens

Citizens from the countries outside of EU should register their Temporary Place of Residence (Zameldowanie) no later than on the 4th day after entering Poland. To register, one needs to submit appropriate documents at the Kraków City Hall (Urząd Miasta Krakowa):

• ✓Filled out form “Zgłoszenie pobytu czasowego” (signed by the owner/administrator of your accommodation place),
• ✓Contract confirming a place of residence (eg. Rental Agreement),
• ✓Valid Passport,
• ✓Visa or Polish Residence Card.

All submitted documents must be in Polish, so you might need to have some specific documents translated by a certified translator. Registration process is free of charge. While registering, one will be assigned an individual PESEL number automatically.

You can find detailed information on Temporary Residence Registration for non-EU citizens on Euraxess website.

Useful links:
Open Kraków, Krakow – a city for everyone! City guide for foreigners
Euraxess, Registration in municipality/district
Moduł Obsługi Spraw (Foreign Nationals Services Unit), Registration of residence of an EU citizen

In Poland, an increasing number of official administrative formalities can be handled entirely online. Submitting your temporary residence card application via the MOS platform, filing taxes, or contacting municipal departments are just a few procedures that no longer require standing in long queues.

To access these digital public services, you need to set up a Profil Zaufany (Trusted Profile). This is a free, secure digital identity and electronic signature tool that validates who you are when dealing with Polish government portals like ePUAP and MOS.

To set up your profile completely free of charge, you must have:

• ✓PESEL Number: As we already mentioned in our “Temporary Residence Registration” section, any international resident who registers their address at the municipal office automatically receives this national identification number.
• ✓Polish Mobile Phone Number: All digital transactions and login confirmations require instant SMS authorization codes, which can only be dispatched securely to Polish mobile numbers.

How to Create a Trusted Profile

There are three primary pathways available to set up and confirm your account.

• ✓Online banking: If you hold a personal checking account ((f.e. PKO BP, Erste, ING, mBank) with a participating Polish bank, you can confirm your identity and activate your profile fully online in less than three minutes. The bank has already verified your identity passport in person, allowing them to act as your digital guarantor. This is clearly the fastest way.
  IMPORTANT! To successfully open a local bank account, you must already possess an active Polish SIM card.
• ✓Online form with confirmation at the office: If your bank does not support this integration, or you have not opened a local account yet, you can register manually by completing the online registration form on the official Profil Zaufany website. Once you submit the form, you will have to visit a local physical verification point (Punkt Potwierdzający) to confirm your identity. In Kraków, these points include the Municipal Office (Urząd Miasta Krakowa), the Tax Office (Urząd Skarbowy), or the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS).
• ✓Through a qualified electronic signature od e-ID card: If you already possess an authorized, commercially issued qualified electronic signature (Kwalifikowany podpis elektroniczny) or an electronic EU identity card containing an embedded microchip, you can verify your account completely online without a bank connection.

To make this process quick and simple – take steps in the following order:
POLISH PHONE > NUMBER PESEL > BANK ACCOUT > TRUSTED PROFILE

Useful links:
Profil Zaufany – log in
Serwis Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej, Profil Zaufany – Pomoc dla użytkowników

Kraków is a city where rich cultural heritage meets dynamic modern opportunities. Situated in the south of Poland within the Lesser Poland Voivodeship, Kraków plays a fundamental role in the country’s education, science, economy as well as tourism. It is not only a great destination for an unforgettable visit, but also a safe, fulfilling and inspiring place to live.

The historical importance of this region is underscored by its density of UNESCO World Heritage sites. Right at your doorstep, you will find the medieval Old Town of Kraków, the historic Wieliczka and Bochnia Royal Salt Mines alongside the Wawel Royal Castle and the Memorial and Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau. This deep cultural backdrop fuels an exceptional academic ecosystem, making Kraków a prominent European university hub.

Kraków has always stood at the forefront of Poland’s major transformations by embracing multiculturalism as a core value. Today, with one in ten residents arriving from outside of Poland, openness and mutual acceptance are woven directly into the city’s identity. Kraków remains deeply shaped by its rich historical connections to Jewish, Ukrainian, Tatar, Armenian, and Roma communities – proving that its vibrant future depends entirely on being an open, welcoming home to all.

To help you settle in smoothly, several dedicated public programs offer comprehensive integration support. The Open Kraków (Otwarty Kraków) initiative and the Multicultural Center (Centrum Wielokulturowe) work continuously to create a friendly local environment.

Furthermore, you can find the specialized Information Point for Foreigners operating right inside the Multicultural Center. This free public asset provides newcomers with direct access to professional legal advice, psychological support, and administrative assistance – guiding you through legal residency conditions, healthcare registration and local school enrollment for your children.

This unique environment has long served as a sanctuary for world-renowned creative visionaries. By joining our academic community, you are stepping into the hometown of celebrated literary icons like Nobel laureate Czesław Miłosz and sci-fi master Stanisław Lem. It is a city whose creative energy has been permanently shaped by legendary musical figures like Kora, Marek Grechuta and Zbigniew Wodecki, as well as the internationally acclaimed film director and drama professor Jerzy Stuhr.

Useful links:
Open Kraków, Krakow – a city for everyone! City guide for foreigners
Kraków.pl – Interactive Map of Kraków Districts
Multicultural Center
Information Point for Foreigners
Information and Helpline for Third-Country Nationals
The Official Travel Portal of the Małopolska (Lesser Poland) Province
Kraków Culture
Kraków-wow!
Kraków.pl Magazine
Kraków Festival Office
The Design Pharmacy
Monthly Costs of Living in Poland

International visitors in Poland can access both public and private healthcare services. EU-citizens can use public healthcare with a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), while non-EU citizens should ensure they have valid health insurance covering their stay in Poland – see “Health Insurance” section.

Daytime & Routine Medical Care

For routine illnesses, seasonal infections, minor injuries, or basic health evaluations, your primary point of contact is Primary Healthcare (POZ – Podstawowa Opieka Zdrowotna). You should book an appointment with a General Practitioner (GP / Lekarz POZ) at a neighborhood public clinic (Przychodnia).

If your condition requires advanced diagnostic equipment or targeted treatment, your GP will issue an electronic medical referral (e-skierowanie) granting you access to specialized outpatient clinics or any of the city’s public hospitals.

• ✓SP ZOZ Szpital Uniwersytecki w Krakowie
  ul. Macieja Jakubowskiego 2, 30-688 Kraków
• ✓Szpital Specjalistyczny im. Jana Pawła II
  ul. Prądnicka 80, 31-202 Kraków
• ✓Szpital Miejski Specjalistyczny im. Gabriela Narutowicz
  ul. Prądnicka 35–37, 31-202 Kraków
• ✓Wojewódzki Szpital Specjalistyczny im. Św. Ludwika (Children’s Hospital)
  ul. Strzelecka 2, 31-503 Kraków

See the completed list of all hospitals in Kraków.

Night & Holiday Medical Care (Nocna i Świąteczna Opieka Zdrowotna)

If you become ill suddenly at night, over the weekend, or during a public holiday, do not go straight to a hospital emergency room for routine ailments. Instead, visit a dedicated Night and Holiday Medical Care units. These clinics are usually open from 6:00 PM to 8:00 AM on weekdays and 24 hours a day on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. They provide over-the-counter prescriptions and basic medical stabilization without long emergency room wait times.

Private Medical Care

There are also private healthcare providers available (like Luxmed or Medicover) which provide faster access to medical services. Appointments often can be easily arranged in English.

Emergencies

For serious emergencies requiring immediate assistance, dial the universal European emergency hotline at 112 (or 999 for the direct ambulance dispatch center) for an ambulance, or head straight to the nearest Hospital Emergency Department (SOR – Szpitalny Oddział Ratunkowy).

Useful links:
Kraków.pl, Hospitals in Kraków
Kraków.pl, Night & Holiday Medical Care

Kraków features a highly efficient, affordable, and integrated public transportation network alongside modern ride-hailing services and micro-mobility alternatives. Navigating the city is straightforward, and for those staying in central areas, the city’s historic layout is exceptionally pedestrian-friendly.

City Public Transport (MPK Kraków)

The backbone of local transit is operated by MPK Kraków, utilizing a unified ticketing framework that applies equally to both modes of transport:

• ✓Trams: Running on dedicated tracks, trams are the fastest, most reliable way to bypass peak hour traffic when traveling between university faculties, housing estates and the city center.
• ✓Buses: An extensive network of daytime bus routes fills the gaps between tram lines, providing deep coverage into surrounding residential suburbs and peripheral areas not directly linked by rail.
• ✓Night Services: Specialized night buses (numbered starting with 6) and select night tram lines operate along primary transit corridors once daytime schedules conclude, keeping you connected 24/7.

To make your travels around the city more efficient, be sure to install jakdojade.pl on your devices! It makes everything so much quicker and intuitive. Simply enter your current location and desired destination, and the app will suggest the best possible public transportation connections. Moreoever, you can also purchase tickets directly within the app.

Regional & National Rail

For domestic travel or weekend excursions, Poland’s rail network is highly advanced. Your central hub will be Kraków Główny, the primary central railway station situated directly adjacent to the Old Town. From here, you can board high-speed intercity trains to Warsaw, Gdańsk, or Wrocław, or catch regional trains (Koleje Małopolskie) for short commutes to the Kraków-Balice Airport and neighboring salt mines in Wieliczka.

IMPORTANT! Students are eligible for a discount on public transportation in Poland – with a valid student ID, fares are reduced by 51%, making travel around the city much more affordable. To purchase a reduced ticket, you must carry a valid physical Student ID (Legitymacja Studencka) during every trip to prove your eligibility to ticket inspectors.

Ride-Hailing, Micro-Mobility & Walking

• ✓Taxis & Apps: Traditional city-regulated taxis operate around the clock. Additionally, mobile ride-hailing networks such as Uber or Bolt are universally used and can be requested via their respective applications.
• ✓Electric Scooters: Shared app-based electric scooters are highly prevalent throughout Kraków’s central districts. They offer a fast, enjoyable micro-mobility option for short commutes, though riders must adhere to local municipal parking zones and avoid pedestrian-only plazas.
• ✓Pedestrian Walkability: Keep in mind that Kraków is a compact, deeply historic city designed for walking. Most buildings, cultural centers and dining squares are spaced closely together, offering a highly scenic environment to explore on foot.

Useful links:
Komunikacja Miejska w Krakowie, Buy a KMK ticket
Komunikacja Miejska w Krakowie, KMK ticket guide
Komunikacja Miejska w Krakowie, KMK Timetables
Zarząd Transportu Publicznego w Krakowie, Cycling maps
Railway Carrier – Koleje Małopolskie (Lesser Poland trails)
Railway Carrier – Intercity
Koleo, Timetables and tickets for all rail carriers in Poland

Everything eventually comes to an end. We are glad you decided to spend some of your lifetime at CUT. Definitely give us a visit once you visit Poland again! To ensure your smooth departure we prepared a list of necessary steps you’re ought to take when leaving Poland:

1. Deregister from a place of residence (on your final week of your stay)
   If you registered your temporary residence with the municipal or district office, no further action is required, your registration will automatically expire on the given date. However, if you are leaving Poland permanently before that day, it is recommended to notify the relevant office in writing about your departure.
2. Terminate your accommodation (notice period varies by contract)
   • CUT Dormitories: Contact the Student Housing Administration Office well in advance to announce your moving date. You must schedule a formal room inspection, ensure the space is clean to avoid maintenance fees, and return your keys securely.
   • Private Accommodation: Carefully review the notice clause in your signed lease agreement. Provide your landlord with written notice within the legal timeframe. Arrange a final walk-through inspection, document the property condition, settle any remaining utility bills and formally request the refund of your security deposit (kaucja).
3. Close Your Bank Account (one week before departure)
   Do not simply withdraw your cash and delete your mobile banking application. If left open, monthly maintenance or card compliance fees can push your balance into the negative, leading to administrative fines. Visit a physical branch or use your banking portal to completely close the account. Ensure all final incoming transfers have cleared and cancel all recurring digital subscriptions or direct debits tied to the card.
4. Clear Your CUT Library Account (on your final week of your stay)
   Check whether there are any books left on your CUT library account. It is one of the points on our “Settlement of Departure” list, which you should not skip.
5. Settle Academic Records & Transcripts (two weeks before departure)
   Make sure you obtain all necessary documentation, such as Certificates of study, academic transcripts and confirmation letters. Those documents may be needed for your future studies, employment or administrative purposes.
6. Notify CUT (three to four weeks before departure)
   Please inform IRO at CUT about your departure. This allows us to update all student records, complete administrative procedures and provide any necessary post-departure documentation or confirmations.

Remember that the doors of the Cracow University of Technology remain permanently open to you. Whether you return to Kraków for future research, postgraduate studies or simply a vacation to revisit your old campus haunts, you will always be a valued member of our global academic family. Safe travels!

Useful links:
URZĄD MIASTA KRAKOWA Wydział Spraw Administracyjnych, Deregistration of a Foreign National from a Permanent or Temporary Place of Residence (Form SA-13)