Moving to another voivodeship: do you need to renew your documents?

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Boiko Kateryna

Lawyer

Poland / Warsaw

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Publication date: 02.02.2026

For many foreigners, moving between voivodeships in Poland is a logical and necessary step — a new job, more favorable living conditions, family circumstances or a change of employer. However, from the perspective of migration law, such a move is not merely an everyday matter. The voivodeship and the residence card are directly related, and any change of residence address may affect the course of an administrative case or the validity of an already issued permit.

A common mistake is the belief that registering the place of residence (meldunek) automatically resolves all issues. In reality, a change of residence address without proper notification to the voivode or without taking into account the stage of the case can create serious risks to legal status.

When to update documents

Not every move requires the submission of a new application, but the obligations of a foreigner depend on several key factors:

type of residence permit (temporary, permanent, long-term EU resident);
reasons for stay (work, study, family, humanitarian circumstances);
stage of the administrative case (waiting for a decision or an already issued document);
scope of data changes (only address or also employer, position, working conditions).

In some situations, a written notification of a change of residence address is sufficient. In others, it may be necessary to transfer the case to another voivodeship or even submit a new set of documents. An incorrect assessment of the situation can lead to procedural complications.

Typical mistakes after moving

After moving between voivodeships in Poland, foreigners most often:

do not notify the voivode about the change of residence address;
send documents to an authority that is no longer competent;
miss official correspondence due to relocation;
believe that registration replaces formal notification of the voivode.

Such actions can result not only in delays, but also in a negative decision, even when the grounds for stay remain valid.

Possible consequences of ignoring obligations

Failure to comply with the obligations of a foreigner when changing voivodeship may lead to:

problems with extending or replacing the residence card;
loss of continuity of legal stay;
the need to repeat part of the procedure;
risk of refusal due to formal violations.

A particularly risky situation arises when the move occurs while the case is under review and the authority does not have up-to-date contact details for the applicant.

Legal support when changing voivodeship

Professional legal consultation helps determine which actions are required in your specific case: whether notification is sufficient, whether documents must be updated, or whether the case should be transferred to another authority. A lawyer checks the stage of proceedings, prepares notifications, monitors deadlines, and handles communication with the voivodeship.

This approach minimizes risks and helps maintain uninterrupted legal status in Poland.

Conclusion

Moving between voivodeships in Poland is not an automatic violation, but it does require strict compliance with procedures and fulfillment of the obligations of a foreigner. Errors related to the change of residence address or improper interaction with authorities often cause complications that could have been avoided. Consultant Legal Marketplace helps foreigners safely navigate the process of changing voivodeship: we analyze your situation, prepare the necessary notifications, and accompany the case through to a stable outcome. Contact us to protect your status and avoid migration risks.

Question

Is it always necessary to update documents when moving between voivodeships?

Answer

No. It depends on the type of residence card, the reason for stay, and the stage of the case.

Question

Is a simple address notification sufficient after moving?

Answer

No. Registration does not replace the obligation to notify the voivode about a change of residence address.

Question

Can the voivodeship handling my case change?

Answer

Yes. In certain cases, the case may be transferred to another voivodeship.