The Polish State Examination in Polish as a Foreign Language is the official exam that confirms your Polish language proficiency. The certificate is recognised by public institutions in Poland and may be required or helpful when applying for legal residence, citizenship, higher education or certain jobs.
In many situations, the certificate is required or recommended if you plan to:
If you plan to build your future in Poland, it is worth thinking about the exam well in advance.
The State Examination is organised several times each year.
However, not every examination session includes every language level. Before registering, always check which levels are available at your chosen examination centre.
The next examination session will take place on:
17–18 October 2026
Available levels for adults:
The following session is scheduled for:
5–6 December 2026
There is no single nationwide registration system.
Each authorised examination centre manages its own registration process.
In most cases, the process looks like this:
Places are limited.
Many examination centres fill all available places within just a few hours after registration opens, so it is worth following announcements published by your chosen centre.
The best preparation is regular language learning.
If you know you may need the certificate in the future, it is better not to wait until the last moment.
Completing one language level usually takes around 3–4 months of regular study.
Before taking the exam, it is also recommended to:
Official sample tests and preparation materials are available on the official State Certificate website.
This is one of the most frequently asked questions.
Exam results are usually published approximately 2–3 months after the examination.
Receiving your results does not mean that the certificate is ready immediately.
The official certificate usually requires at least another two months to be printed and issued.
If you need the certificate for a specific deadline (for example, citizenship, long-term residence or university admission), make sure you plan your exam early enough.
Unfortunately, there is no fast-track procedure for obtaining the State Certificate.
Many candidates ask whether the TELC certificate can replace the Polish State Certificate.
Although TELC is an internationally recognised language certificate, it is not the same document as the Polish State Certificate in Polish as a Foreign Language.
Some institutions accept TELC, while others require the official State Certificate.
For example, some post-secondary schools (szkoły policealne) accept only the Polish State Certificate.
Before registering for any examination, always check the requirements of the university, school, employer or public institution where you intend to submit your documents.
The best time to start preparing is now.
At the Emic Foundation, we organise Polish language courses for foreigners at the following levels:
After registration, you will complete a placement test and our team will help you choose the group that best matches your current language level.
Even if you plan to take the State Examination next year, starting your Polish language course today is an investment in your future.
To enrol:
1. Complete the registration form.
👉 https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/Dj7gwapmk2
2. Take the placement test.
👉 https://forms.cloud.microsoft/e/0rtJxZD1gG
3. We will contact you.
📅 Registration for the State Examination usually opens several weeks before the examination date.
⏳ From the examination date to receiving your official certificate, the entire process may take several months.
📖 Before the exam, it is worth completing the official sample tests available online.
🎓 If you plan to apply for Polish citizenship or EU long-term resident status, check in advance which certificate level is required in your individual situation.
No.
The examination is voluntary. However, the State Certificate may be required when applying for EU long-term resident status, Polish citizenship, admission to certain educational institutions or for specific professional purposes.
Results are usually published approximately 2–3 months after the examination.
After the results are announced, the certificate is not issued immediately.
Printing and issuing the official certificate usually takes at least another two months.
No.
The certificate issuing procedure is the same for all candidates and cannot be accelerated.
Official sample examination papers and preparation materials are available at:
The appropriate level depends on your current language skills and your future goals.
If you are unsure where to start, taking a placement test and consulting an experienced Polish language teacher is the best solution.
No.
These are different certificates.
Not every university, school, employer or public institution accepts TELC instead of the official Polish State Certificate.
It depends on your current level.
Completing one language level usually requires around 3–4 months of regular learning and independent practice.
You do not need to guess.
Before joining a course, you can complete a placement test to help determine the most suitable learning group.
Yes.
Official preparation materials and sample tests are freely available online.
However, many candidates choose a Polish language course to organise their knowledge, practise all language skills regularly and become familiar with the examination format.
📌 Official website of the Polish State Certificate Examination
There you will find:
Projekt jest dofinansowany ze środków Unii Europejskiej w ramach Polskiego Programu Funduszu Azylu, Migracji i Integracji na lata 2021-2027, a jego realizacja potrwa od 1 października 2025 r. do 31 marca 2028 r.
Wyłączna odpowiedzialność za wyrażone opinie spoczywa na autorze i Komisja Europejska oraz Ministerstwo Spraw Wewnętrznych i Administracji nie ponoszą odpowiedzialności za sposób wykorzystania udostępnionych informacji.
#FunduszeUE #FunduszeEuropejskie
Jednocześnie, informujemy, że Państwa zgoda może zostać cofnięta w dowolnym momencie przez wysłanie wiadomości e-mail na adres emic@emic.com.pl.
Informujemy, że nie są Państwo profilowani. Państwa dane nie będą przekazywane do państwa trzeciego lub organizacji międzynarodowej.
Administratorem podanych danych osobowych jest Fundację EMIC, ul. Jagodowa 37, 87-100 Toruń. Kontakt z nami emic@emic.com.pl. Więcej informacji o przetwarzaniu twoich danych osobowych przez nas i twoich uprawnieniach znajdziesz na stronie Polityki prywatności.
Wszystkie pola są obowiązkowe.
