FAMILY AND CHILDREN

Family

Moving to a foreign country with family requires searching and planning. There are some important steps to take before your arrival and during your stay in Lublin, Poland. 

Documents

You should make sure that all your family members have a valid travel document and a visa (if it applies). In addition to this, remember to take documents such as legalized marriage certificate or child's birth certificate with you. 

Health Insurance

All family members are required to have health insurance while staying in Poland. Employees are insured through the mandatory NFZ (Polish National Health Fund), and this coverage can be extended to officially registered family members. In addition, many families choose to purchase private insurance plans—though optional—to benefit from shorter waiting times for specialists, as well as access to dental and maternity services.

Education

Children under 3 years of age can attend nurseries (żłobki) or children’s clubs, which provide care and support early development. This stage is not part of the formal education system and attendance is optional. Both public and private institutions are available in Lublin, but places in public nurseries can be limited, so early application is recommended. Childcare for this age group is not free, and parents must pay fees, which vary depending on the provider.

There are 9 public nurseries and several private ones available in Lublin.

Children aged 3 to 6 can recieve preschool education in kindergartens (przedszkola) or preschool classes attached to primary schools. Attendance is optional between ages three and five.  At the age of 6, children are required to complete one year of preschool preparation before starting primary school. This stage focuses on preparing children for school by developing basic literacy, numeracy, and social skills.

Children from 7 to 18 are required to participate in education or training. They begin with eight years of primary school, followed by secondary education in general, technical, or vocational schools. School attendance is compulsory from age 7 to 15, and after that, young people must continue education or training until 18. Public schools are free and managed by local authorities, so in Lublin children are usually assigned to a school based on their place of residence. 

At the end of general secondary school, students may take the Matura exam, a national school-leaving examination that is important for university admission in Poland.

Find out more information about public and private kindergartens and schools available in Lublin here:Edu Lublin 

The Office for Foreigners has prepared an informational guide on education for non-Polish nationals. The document explains how the Polish education system works and provides practical information for families with children. The guide is available in several languages, including English, Ukrainian, Russian, Belarusian, French, Spanish and Arabic, among others.