Powszechny Elektroniczny System Ewidencji Ludności (PESEL) Number is an 11 digit number used for many services in Poland. It may be required to create a bank account (without restrictions), sign contracts for home internet, access specific government services (i.e. Taxes & Revenue), obtaining a Digital Student ID Card, and many others. As a foreign student, your student card will show the PESEL number as XXXXXX00000, this is a Placeholder and not the real PESEL number.

To obtain a PESEL Number, you will need to head to the government office. The responsible office is the Department of Administrative Affairs (PL: Wydział Spraw Administracyjnych). This office is located at Spokojna 2 (Floor 2, Room 221) and is open from 7:45 - 15:15 on Weekdays. They are contactable through phone number (81 466 3562). You will be required to bring the following documents to the government office:

• Printed Application Form (Click Here: https://www.gov.pl/web/gov/uzyskaj-numer-pesel--usluga-dla-cudzoziemcow-en)

• Rental Agreement

• Passport

• Valid Document permitting Stay in Poland (i.e. Visa, Residence Card, etc.)

• Student Card or other documents proving Student Status

As the PESEL Number is used to access government services and bank services, this number is extremely sensitive. For example, this number can be used to open bank accounts, loans, paying instalments, or activating a SIM card, as such, security of this number is essential. After you obtained a PESEL number and created a bank account, use your bank account information to log into the government web portal (https://www.mobywatel.gov.pl/twoje-dane/rzp-pesel). Follow the prompts on screen and then you will be able to lock your PESEL number. Through the same link and process, you will be able to unlock your PESEL number in the case that you need to use these services.