PESEL register overhaul: What expats should know

9 April 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

Poland will replace registered address with residential address in the PESEL register by 2028. Learn what it means for expats.

The Ministry of Interior announced on April 3, 2026, that it will change the PESEL register. Consequently, the government plans to treat residential address as the primary record by 2028.

Table of Contents

What changes in the PESEL register mean

The announcement follows years of complaints from city governments. Moreover, mayors said the current system distorts budgets and planning. For example, state education grants and public transport funding tie to registered address. Consequently, a student registered with parents in a small town may deprive a big city of revenue. In addition, many municipal services suffer from wrongly directed mail and slow planning.

How the change will work

The plan uses the mObywatel app for updates. Moreover, citizens can declare their residential address with a simple statement. Therefore, authorities will push changed data automatically to ZUS and to the tax office. In addition, courts and NFZ (National Health Fund) will receive updates. Moreover, private firms can request addresses with consent. Consequently, the need to request paper certificates should fall sharply.

Why local governments pushed for change

Municipal unions have argued for this reform for years. Moreover, they blame the registered-address system for wrong budgets. Consequently, planners misestimate school places and health needs. Therefore, cities hope better data will direct funds where people actually live. However, the ministry cautions that the bill remains in interministerial talks and the final law may change details.

Landlords, fraud and practical steps for residents

The reform will notify property owners when someone lists their address as a residence. In addition, owners can ask officials to verify entries. Therefore, false statements should face stronger criminal pursuit. However, lawmakers still discuss exact penalties. Reform will not start before 2028. Until then, the registration rules remain in force without real sanctions. If you live here, check addresses used for court papers, ZUS (Social Insurance Institution), tax office and NFZ. In addition, ensure your rental contract gives the owner a true contact address.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: If you live in Poland as an expat, update your contact address with the institutions that matter. For example, check your court address and update ZUS (Social Insurance Institution), your tax office and NFZ (National Health Fund). Moreover, keep a current forwardable address with your landlord. Therefore, register changes via mObywatel when the system launches. In the meantime, give a trusted local contact for legal mail.

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