What British citizens living in Poland should know?

Until 21 December 2020 – end of a transition period – the Withdrawal Agreement provides rights for British citizens. During this time they can live, work and study in Poland. British citizens who are staying in Poland for more than 3 months, must register their address with the Department of Foreigners at their local Voivodeship office. They can also apply for permanent residency at their local Voivodeship office.

• See also: “We can hardly imagine the UK without the presence of Poles" – Boris Johnson writes about Polish-British friendship on the occasion of VE Day

On the basis of the Withdrawal Agreement British citizens and their family members have the right of residence in Poland after the end of the transition period if:

• They exercised the right of residence in Poland in accordance with the EU law before the conclusion of the transition period and they still live in Poland.

What with European Health Insurance Card (EHIC)?

British citizens who are resident in Poland, must not use their EHIC from the UK to access healthcare in Poland.

When they travel from Poland for a temporary stay in another EU country, they can use an EHIC to access state-provided healthcare in that country. During that short stay:

• the EHIC covers treatment that is medically necessary until they planned return home
• an EHIC is not a replacement for comprehensive travel insurance