Recruiting
Nurseries and kindergartens
As a rule, public institutions accept children who live in the municipality that runs the institution. There are not always enough places for all applicants, so recruitment is based on a points system (points are awarded if, for example, both parents of a child are working, or if the child or its parent is disabled). Recruitment for the following school year usually takes place in the spring of the previous year.
Primary schools
Public primary schools have a designated district (localities or streets within a locality) and must accept all children from their district, including foreign children, even if a student enrols during the school year. Admission of a foreign student is made on the basis of documents confirming previous education or on the basis of an interview with the school director. It is not necessary to submit certified translations of documents.
Secondary schools
Admission of a foreigner who has finished primary school in Poland is carried out according to the usual rules. However, if the student has previously studied abroad, they may be admitted to a secondary school on the basis of a decision by the headmaster, provided the school has vacancies.
Admission to secondary vocational schools and public secondary schools requires a certificate of basic vocational education or secondary education. Some certificates obtained abroad are legally recognised in Poland, while others may be recognised or confirmed by the school principal in an administrative procedure. For special types of schools – such as art schools, sports schools, and bilingual schools – additional admission criteria apply.
Learning Support:
Preparatory branch
The authority in charge of a school may organise an additional branch in which students who do not know the Polish language prepare to study in a Polish school. It can be created for one or more schools by one leading authority, and, if necessary, also by agreement of several municipalities, cities or districts. In the preparatory unit, intensive study of the Polish language and other subjects takes place. Implementation of the core curriculum can be assisted by a teacher familiar with the foreign language spoken by the students.
Learning the Polish language
Pupils – foreigners are entitled to additional Polish language lessons at a minimum of 2 lessons per week; foreigners are entitled to free additional Polish language study for a maximum of 24 months.
Compensatory classes
If a teacher finds it necessary for a student to make up curriculum differences, they are entitled to additional classes in a given subject at the rate of 1 additional hour per week in one subject for up to 12 months (a total of no more than 3 compensatory hours per week).
Cultural assistant assistance
Migrants are entitled to the assistance of an assistant who speaks their language of origin during the school admission interview and for up to 12 months of schooling.
Mother tongue instruction
Diplomatic missions of foreign countries, and cultural and educational organisations may organise classes in the language and culture of the country of origin of students who are not Polish citizens.
National minorities
Children belonging to national minorities may learn the minority language at the school they attend. It is organised by the school director at the request of parents.
Examinations
During examinations ending the given stage of education – i.e., the eighth- grade exam and the maturity exam, foreign students have the right to adapt the forms and conditions of these examinations – this is decided by the school’s Pedagogical Council. For example, the adaptation may consist in allowing the use of a bilingual dictionary or extending the exam time.
Legal basis:
Act of December 14, 2016 – Education Law (Journal of Laws of 2024, item 737, 854, 1562, 1635), with respect to foreigners, specifically Chapter 7 (Articles 165-167 of this Act).
Regulation of the Minister of National Education of August 23, 2017 on the education of persons who are not Polish citizens and persons who are Polish citizens and who have received education in schools operating in the educational systems of other countries (Journal of Laws of 2023 item 2301)
Additional information:
Information on the education of people arriving from abroad in the Polish education system – Ministry of National Education – Gov.pl Portal (www.gov.pl) Education of children arriving from abroad in the Polish education system – Ministry of National Education – Gov.pl Portal (www.gov.pl)
Information current as of: .
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