How to get a NIP tax number in Poland

What’s a NIP?

The Polish government’s tax offices use a NIP (Numeru Identyfikacji Podatkowej; in English “tax identification number”) to recognize you within their system. The NIP number is issued by each region tax office or “urząd skarbowy”, of which there are literally hundreds. The number is not completely random, being as the first several digits identify the tax office that originally issued it. However, it is not nearly as elaborate a number as the PESEL, which contains date of birth, gender, etc.

A NIP is needed if you want to file for a tax return in Poland. It is not necessary to get a NIP if you want to work in Poland. You may opt for tax residency in your home country, however, in most cases this may be used for only up to two years. However, if you decide to make Poland your home for an indefinite period of time, you ought to obtain and file taxes in Poland.

The instructions below are aimed towards people who do not plan on starting their own company at this time. If you need a NIP to get a job working for someone else, then continue reading below.

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May 29th, 2009 - Posted in Blog | | 2 Comments

How to legally stay in Poland (for non-EU citizens)

Although Poland seems to be a country of bureaucracy, do not be completely discouraged: it is possible to get through it all and receive secure legal status. In fact, it is only more complicated than the process for EU citizens in that you must obtain a “permission to work”. This guide is designed to help you achieve legal status without the need to bang your head against the wall too much. Below you see an outline of the process, click on each phase to learn more about it.

May 19th, 2009 - Posted in Blog | | 1 Comments

How to legally stay in Poland (for EU citizens)

If you’re a citizen of the European Union, then you have a relatively simpler path than non-EU citizens in order to obtain legal status in Poland. Click below to learn more about each phase of the process.

May 19th, 2009 - Posted in Blog | | 1 Comments

How to get a PESEL in Poland

If you plan on staying in Poland for an extended period of time, get a PESEL is a useful thing to have and a relatively simple thing to acquire. In fact, you can acquire it at the same time you get your registration or “zameldowanie“.

What’s a PESEL?

PESEL stands for “Powszechny Elektroniczny System Ewidencji Ludności”, which translates roughly to “common electronic citizen records system”. Ultimately, this is the principle number by which a private individual is identified in most government offices.

A PESEL is linked with personal information about the given individual including the following:

PESEL number
current first and last names
maiden name (if any)
former first and last names
parents’ first and last names
place and date of birth
gender
citizenship
birth certificate number
marital status
spouse’s first and last names
date of marriage, marriage certificate number
current permanent registration (zameldowanie)
previous registrations (permanent and temporary)
military rank and number (if any)
serial number of current ID card (dowód osobisty)
death certificate (if applicable)

for foreigners:

serial number of residency card
information on permits and certificates allowing
the foreigner to stay in Poland