Polish identity card issuance requirements

The process for obtaining Polish identity cards is constrained by biometric requirements and administrative limitations. Due to European Union security regulations implemented in November 2021, identity documents must include biometric data such as fingerprints and handwritten signatures. Consequently, applicants aged 12 and older must generally visit a municipal or city office in person, as these requirements cannot be fulfilled remotely. An exception is granted for children under 12, whose applications may be submitted online by a guardian.

Administrative pressure has been noted in local offices, such as the Zebrzydowice Municipal Office, which processed over 400 requests in a single month. Furthermore, the Polish government has rejected proposals to issue ID cards through consulates abroad. Officials described such a move as “Za drogo i zbyt trudno” (too expensive and too difficult), citing a lack of legal basis, the need for significant staff reorganization, and the high costs of equipment and secure transport. As a result, Polish citizens living abroad must travel to Poland to obtain new identity cards.