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Residence card in Szczecin: Zachodniopomorski Urząd Wojewódzki
Where to go, how to apply and book, and how long the ZUW in Szczecin really takes, from the office's own figures. Every fact links to its official source.
Where the foreigners department is
Residence permits for people who live in West Pomerania (zachodniopomorskie) are decided by the Zachodniopomorski Urząd Wojewódzki (West Pomeranian Voivodeship Office) in Szczecin. These are the addresses and numbers the office publishes for foreigners.
- Zachodniopomorski Urząd Wojewódzki
- Wały Chrobrego 4, 70-502 Szczecin
- Helpline for foreigners
- 91 441 20 00
- General information
- 91 430 35 00
Opening hours change often, so check them on the office page before you go.
Reviews and questions from applicants
Experiences from people who applied at this office, and the questions they ask. These are personal reports, not official figures.
How to apply and book a visit
Since 27 April 2026, applications for temporary residence, permanent residence and EU long-term residence are filed only online, in the MOS system. Paper applications for these permits that reach an office after that date are left unexamined. A few cases still go on paper, for example an intra-company transfer, or family reunification when the family member is outside Poland. The old MOS was switched off on 17 April 2026, so an account from before then does not work: you need a new one.
In Szczecin: Applications go through MOS. The office says online booking of visits to file an application has been suspended since 18 October 2023 until further notice; instead it sends a summons with a visit date to the address in your application.
How long a residence card takes in Szczecin
These are the office’s own figures, sent to EEP in writing in reply to our request for public information of 7 October 2026 (letter WSC-1.1331.24.2026, 21 Oct 2026). They are averages, not medians, so a few very long cases pull them up.
| Permit | 2025, days | Jan to Sep 2026, days |
|---|---|---|
| Temporary residence (all purposes) | 466 | 462 |
| Permanent residence | 340 | 414 |
| EU long-term resident | 436 | 468 |
| Temporary residence and work (art. 114 sec. 1) | 385 | 439 |
| Temporary residence, studies (art. 144 sec. 1) | 377 | 430 |
| Temporary residence, family of a Polish citizen (art. 158 sec. 1 pts 1-2) | 409 | 488 |
Cases still open, as the office reported: 45,402 temporary, 740 permanent and 4,388 EU long-term cases on 30 Sep 2026.
From the Foreigners Data Warehouse reports; the office says the reports do not state which start date the average uses.
By law the office should normally decide a temporary residence case within 60 days, but deadlines in residence cases are suspended until 4 March 2027.
Common problems and what to do
- Waiting for a summons, not a booking. Because you cannot book, check that the address and e-mail in your application are current and that you can receive post there.
- Helpline interruptions. The office warns that its helpline can have temporary breaks.
- The old MOS account does not work. The new MOS started on 27 April 2026 and needs a new account, signed in through login.gov.pl. Accounts from the old system were closed.
- Letters you never received. Offices send requests for missing documents and the card collection date to the contact details in your application. The Warsaw office, for example, uses e-Doręczenia (electronic delivery). Keep your e-mail and address current and check them.
- More than 60 days and no decision. This is common. Deadlines in residence cases are suspended until 4 March 2027. Check your status, keep your other deadlines in order, and read what you can do while you wait.
Questions people ask
Where do I apply for a residence card in Szczecin?
You file the application online in MOS. The case is handled by the Zachodniopomorski Urząd Wojewódzki (West Pomeranian Voivodeship Office). Its foreigners department is at Wały Chrobrego 4, 70-502 Szczecin.
How long does a residence card take in Szczecin?
The ZUW told EEP in writing that temporary residence took 462 days on average in January to September 2026 (letter WSC-1.1331.24.2026, 21 Oct 2026). That is an average from application to decision, not a promise for your case.
Can I still apply on paper?
Not for temporary, permanent or EU long-term residence. Since 27 April 2026 these applications are filed only online in MOS, and paper ones are left unexamined. A few exceptions remain, such as an intra-company transfer.
Official sources and how we checked
Last checked: 14 November 2026. On 14 November 2026 we read the office pages listed here and copied addresses, numbers and booking links exactly as published. The waiting times come from the office's written reply to our request for public information; the letter reference is given above. We do not use agency or forum estimates on this page.
- ZUW on gov.pl: third-country nationals
- ZUW on gov.pl: helpline
- ZUW on gov.pl: contact
- Pomorski Urząd Wojewódzki, Wydział Spraw Cudzoziemców: MOS notice
- Lubelski Urząd Wojewódzki: MOS information (Act of 21 Nov 2025, Dz. U. 2025 item 1794)
- Dolnośląski Urząd Wojewódzki: notice on the new MOS
- Mazowiecki Urząd Wojewódzki, Migrant WSC: systems you need
- Podkarpacki Urząd Wojewódzki: deadlines for residence decisions
General information, not legal advice. The office decides your case. Found a mistake? Tell us and we fix it in the open.
