What is PESEL and why does a foreigner need it?

What is PESEL?
PESEL (Powszechny Elektroniczny System Ewidencji Ludności) is a personal identification number in Poland. It consists of 11 digits and contains information about your date of birth and gender. This number is issued to both Polish citizens and foreigners living in the country. For individuals, PESEL is also a tax identification number and is used for tax payments. It is important to note that the number is issued once for life, and the process of obtaining PESEL is free. Why does a foreigner need PESEL?

To register in the healthcare system If you want to use public healthcare services in Poland, you will definitely need a PESEL number. It is required for registering in the healthcare system because the doctor will check if your employer is paying healthcare contributions for you. If you are not officially employed or do not have an employer paying contributions, you may be denied medical assistance, even with a PESEL.

To apply for a job To get a job in Poland, your employer is required to pay taxes and contributions for you to the relevant government authorities. They must also provide you with a tax declaration at the beginning of each year. Without a PESEL number, this is not possible.

To open a bank account In many banks, you need a PESEL number to open an account. This will make your life much easier, as you can choose almost any bank to open an account. Without PESEL, banks may refuse to open an account.

To submit tax declarations
Every year, you need to submit tax declarations in Poland. Also, thanks to PESEL, you can receive a tax refund if applicable to your situation. Tax accounting without PESEL is not possible.

When renting an apartment
Many landlords do not want to rent to foreigners without a PESEL number. Therefore, if you want to rent an apartment for a long term, you will definitely need this number.

How to get PESEL?
To obtain a PESEL number, you need to apply to the local administration authority at your place of residence with the appropriate application. This can be a municipal office (Urząd Miasta), a commune office (Urząd Gminy), or a county office (Urząd Powiatowy). Two ways to obtain PESEL:

If you have a rental contract If you rent an apartment and have a rental contract, you can go with this contract to the relevant authority and register at your place of residence. In this case, the PESEL number will be automatically assigned to you. During registration, it is important to inform the employee of the authority that you want to get a PESEL. If you have a landlord, their presence is not required during registration.

If you do not have a rental contract If you do not rent a place and, for example, live in a hostel, you can apply for PESEL on other grounds. In this case, you will need to provide a legal basis, such as an extract from the law. Sometimes, to submit the application, a work contract may be required, so be sure to take it with you when visiting government authorities. It is possible to live without PESEL, but it is much easier with it! 😊