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Profil Zaufany is a free tool that allows you to verify your identity in Poland’s public service systems online. With its help, you can submit applications, requests, appeals, and complaints, handle administrative matters online, and sign documents — all without personal presence or with minimal formalities.

For foreigners, it is often a critical condition for easy access to services such as:

• applying for a residence card, residence or work permit;
• communicating with various institutions (Urząd Wojewódzki, ZUS, NFZ, Urząd Skarbowy) through e-government portals;
• accessing medical services, social benefits, or other state rights.

Without Profil Zaufany, many processes require personal presence, paper documentation, or complex confirmations, which prolongs the process and creates additional difficulties.

Profil Zaufany can be obtained by:

• Polish citizens;
• foreigners who have a PESEL number (Polish identification number) — PESEL is often issued to foreigners with legal residence (residence card, other grounds);
• persons aged 13 and over (under certain conditions) with limited or full legal capacity;
• those who can confirm their identity at the appropriate confirmation point, either through a bank/digital identity provider, or through e-dowód, electronic passport/other means.

For foreigners, not having a PESEL number usually means that the online process will be more difficult or that they will have to use a personal identification point in person.

Ways to obtain it: online, through a bank, personal identification

There are different ways to obtain a Profil Zaufany:

• Online via the ProfilZaufany / ePUAP portal: fill out the form, enter your personal data, select the method of identity verification.
• Through a bank / dostawca tożsamości: some banks allow you to verify your identity and connect your profile directly from your online banking. This greatly simplifies the process, as you do not need to go to the office.
• Identity verification at a confirmation point (government offices, municipality, City Hall, Poczta Polska via Envelo, other official institutions) — when the online method is not sufficient or PESEL/data requires verification.
• Video call / video visit with a government official — sometimes available as an option for identity verification.

What documents and data you need to prepare?

For the application to go smoothly, you need:

• an identity document (passport, ID card, residence card) — with a translation, if necessary;
• PESEL number or documents/records from which PESEL can be obtained;
• valid residential address, contact details (e-mail address, telephone number), current telephone number;
• if applying through a bank — access to online banking and confirmation that the bank is an identity provider;
• if confirming your identity through a point of contact: confirmation of your identity, possibly a photo, possibly a prior appointment;
• if you are a foreigner — documents confirming your legal status of residence, residence card, residence permit or other status on the basis of which you are allowed to apply for PESEL or be confirmed.

It is also useful to have all previous correspondence, previous applications, scans/copies of documents at hand in order to be able to respond to requests from the administration.

Common problems and mistakes to avoid

Here's what often happens:

• missing or incorrectly entered PESEL or incorrect data — resulting in the application not being confirmed or rejected;
• filling out the application with errors: incorrect transliteration of names, addresses; incorrect formats;
• incorrect choice of identity verification method;
• inattention to deadlines: for example, submitting an application but not confirming your identity at the point within the specified time limit;
• inappropriate translation or lack of confirmation when required;
• technical difficulties with the bank or online service (especially for foreigners who may not have a bank account or whose bank is not connected to the procedure);

All these mistakes can complicate or delay the process of obtaining a Profil Zaufany, and sometimes lead to complete rejection or the need to reapply.

How a lawyer or attorney can help speed up and protect the process?

Legal support can be crucial in the following stages:

• analysis of your situation: do you have a PESEL, does your status allow you to obtain a Profil Zaufany, what documents you already have, what else you need;
• assistance in collecting, checking documents, and completing them correctly (translations, confirmations, everything in accordance with government requirements);
• preparation of an application or wniosek — as clean as possible, without errors, with the correct fields;
• assistance in choosing the optimal method of confirmation (through a bank, point, video visit) to minimize time and risk;
• monitoring deadlines and submission to official points; assistance with technical issues with portals;
• assistance if the government requires additional evidence or documents; support in applying for correction or appeal in case of refusal, if possible.

Terms, costs, and expectations after submitting an application

• Terms: if you apply online and confirm through a bank or identity provider, your profile can be activated within a few hours to a few days. If verification through a point is required, it can take up to several weeks, depending on the availability of points.
• Costs: Officially, Profil Zaufany is a free tool. However, there may be costs associated with document translation, status confirmation, travel to the confirmation point, or payment for legal services if you seek assistance.
• Waiting period after submission: you will receive confirmation that your application has been registered; you may be asked to provide additional evidence; wait for identity verification (in person or through a bank/other method); then gain access to use your profile — log in to services, submit documents, sign documents.