How Much Does a PCC Cost in Poland

A police clearance certificate (PCC) — in Poland, a criminal-record extract from the National Criminal Register (Krajowy Rejestr Karny, KRK) — is a document that many foreign workers and applicants require, and it carries an official fee. Knowing the cost and the extras helps you budget. This guide explains how much a PCC costs in Poland. For the wider context, see our overview of work permits in Europe. Confirm the current fee with official sources, as fees can change.

What a Polish PCC Is

In Poland, the equivalent of a police clearance certificate is a certificate of no criminal record (or a record extract) issued by the KRK — the National Criminal Register. It states your criminal record status as held in that register. This is the document typically requested when a “PCC” (criminal record certificate) is needed, including for various residential and employment purposes.

The Official Fee

Obtaining a KRK certificate carries an official state fee per certificate. The exact amount is set by regulation and is modest relative to other application costs. Please confirm the current figure, as fees are periodically updated. The fee is paid with the request, and you receive the certificate once it is processed.

Online Versus In-Person

You can typically obtain the certificate either through the online system (the e-KRK electronic service) or via a paper/in-person route. The online route is often more convenient and can carry a lower fee than the traditional paper application. So the cost can depend on the method you choose — online generally being the cheaper and faster option. Confirm the current online and paper fees.

Extra Costs to Consider

Beyond the official fee, budget for likely extras: if the certificate is in Polish and you need it for use abroad (or vice versa, a foreign certificate for use in Poland), you may need a sworn translation, which has its own cost; and some uses require legalisation or an apostille, adding a further fee. These extras can exceed the base certificate fee, so factor them in.

Foreign Certificates for Use in Poland

If your application in Poland requires a PCC from your home country rather than a Polish KRK extract, the cost is that country’s fee for its criminal-record certificate, plus sworn Polish translation and possibly legalisation/apostille. So “how much does a PCC cost?” depends on whether you need a Polish certificate or a foreign one — budget according to your specific requirements.

How to Budget for It

To budget accurately: confirm whether you need a Polish KRK certificate or a foreign PCC; check the current official fee for that certificate (and whether online is cheaper); and add translation and any legalisation/apostille costs. Order it in good time, as processing and translation take time. Keeping your Code 95 and other documents ready means the certificate is the only outstanding item. The total is usually modest but worth planning.

Key Facts

• A Polish PCC is a criminal-record certificate from the KRK.
• It carries a modest official state fee per certificate.
• Online (e-KRK) is often cheaper and faster than paper.
• Translation and legalisation/apostille are common extra costs.
• A foreign PCC costs that country’s fee plus translation.

Important Insights

The base cost of a Polish PCC (a KRK certificate) is a modest official fee, often lower via the online e-KRK route — but the real budget should include translation and any legalisation/apostille, which can exceed the base fee. Whether you need a Polish or foreign certificate changes the cost. Confirm current fees, choose the online route where possible, and order early to allow for processing and translation.

Latest Developments

Official fees for KRK certificates and the e-KRK service are set by regulation and can change. Confirm the current fee and any online discount with the official KRK/e-KRK service before applying.

Benefits and Challenges

Benefits: a modest, predictable official fee, often cheaper online. Challenges: translation and legalisation extras, and confirming the foreign-versus-Polish requirement. Confirming fees and ordering early address these.

Future Outlook

Online certificate services are likely to expand. Applicants who use e-KRK and budget for extras will manage the cost easily.

Key Takeaways

• A Polish PCC carries a modest official fee.
• Online (e-KRK) is often cheaper.
• Budget for translation and legalisation.
• A foreign PCC costs differently.
• Confirm current fees and order early.

Conclusion

A Polish PCC — a criminal-record certificate from the KRK — carries a modest official state fee, often lower through the online e-KRK service than via the paper route. Budget also for sworn translation and any legalisation or apostille, which can exceed the base fee, and note that a required foreign PCC costs that country’s fee plus translation. Please confirm the current fees, use the online route where possible, and order early. This guide is general information; confirm fees with official sources.

Official Links

• Office for Foreigners (Urząd do Spraw Cudzoziemców): gov.pl/web/udsc
• Work permit and declaration portal (praca.gov.pl): praca.gov.pl
• Voivodeship Office foreigner services (find your województwo): gov.pl urzędy wojewódzkie
• Social Insurance Institution (ZUS): zus.pl
• National Health Fund (NFZ): nfz.gov.pl
• National Labour Inspectorate (PIP): gov.pl/web/pip

FastDriver Resources for Drivers

• Work permits in Europe
• National work visa
• Code 95 (Driver CPC) eligibility
• Driving licence recognition
• Tachograph driver card
• Free driver account

Glossary

• Voivode (wojewoda) — the regional governor who issues work permits.
• Zezwolenie na pracę — a work permit (Type A is the most common for drivers).
• Single permit — one decision combining temporary residence and work.
• Sworn translation (tłumaczenie przysięgłe) — a certified Polish translation required for foreign documents.

Rules, fees, and processing times vary by voivodeship. Always confirm the current requirements with the official authorities above before applying.