PESEL (Polish National Identification Number) and Electronic Signature Application

 PESEL (Polish National Identification Number) and Electronic Signature Application

When moving to Poland, it is necessary to apply for the identification tax number known as PESEL. For citizens of Ukraine, PESEL UKR is issued as confirmation of temporary protection in Poland and legal residence in the country.

PESEL is required for:

• Opening a bank account;

• Receiving social benefits and privileges;

• Employment;

• Starting a business in Poland;

• Applying for a loan;

• Buying a car, real estate;

• Any financial transactions involving tax payments.

The PESEL number contains data such as date of birth, gender, serial number, and control digits. The document must be obtained within 30 days after crossing the border. 

Documents required to obtain PESEL:

• Passport and its copy;
• Filled application form;
• Photo sized 3.5x4.5 cm, taken no later than 6 months before submitting the application;
• Rental agreement and registration;
• Residence card (if available).

The application for PESEL is submitted to the municipal administration.

In the era of digitization, many document processing operations can be done online. To do this, you need to have an electronic signature. In Poland, EPUAP simplifies interaction with many government agencies.

An electronic signature is an individual digital set of characters that helps to verify the identity of the signer.

There are two types of electronic signatures in Poland:

1. Signature via the trusted EPUAP profile – a personal account on the government portal. This is an equivalent of a handwritten signature that can be used to sign documents for any legal transactions when the person cannot be present in person. This signature can be used by both Polish citizens and foreigners.

To obtain such a signature, you need to fill out an online form on the pz.gov.pl website, provide PESEL, phone number, and current email address, then undergo identification by visiting one of the ePUAP service centers in person no later than 14 days after filling out the form. Alternatively, a trusted person can do this for you, and you can order such services on our "Consultant" marketplace. 

2. Qualified electronic signature, which does not require PESEL and registration of residence in Poland. This signature requires specific software, is issued on a removable USB device, has two-phase user authentication, but can only be used for documents with special extensions.

With an electronic signature, you can:

• Register a business in Poland, even without being in the country;
• Submit tax, customs, or ZUS electronic declarations;
• Sign invoices, contracts, or trade agreements;
• Interact with the pension fund, social insurance authorities;
• Use the unified medical e-system;
• Apply for a driver's license, register or deregister a car;
• Apply for social benefits under the 500+ program (for Ukrainians who left after 24.02.2022);
• Set up a driver profile, register business trips for your employees to Poland (for Ukrainian transport companies);
• File a lawsuit in court;
• Enter into civil law contracts.