For many foreigners, the state certificate exam in Polish as a foreign language at B1 level is the final step towards Polish citizenship or an EU long-term resident permit. In this guide we explain what the Polish B1 exam looks like, how to register, what it costs and how to prepare so you pass first time. The information reflects the rules in force in September 2026.
What is the Polish B1 certificate exam?
The Polish language certificate is an official confirmation of your proficiency, provided for in the Polish Language Act. It is issued by the State Commission for the Certification of Proficiency in Polish as a Foreign Language, while the exams themselves are run by authorised centres – universities and language schools in Poland and abroad.
B1 is the threshold level of the Common European Framework of Reference. Someone with a B1 certificate can cope with everyday situations: at a government office, at the doctor’s, at work or in a shop. They understand the main points of what they hear and can write a simple practical text.
There are two exam groups: for adults and for children and teenagers. This article covers the adult exam.
Who needs a Polish B1 certificate?
The most common reasons foreigners take the B1 exam:
- Recognition as a Polish citizen. The Polish Citizenship Act requires knowledge of Polish confirmed by a certificate at B1 or higher, or by a school-leaving certificate from a school in Poland or a Polish-medium school abroad. Since 1 July 2025, a certificate from a post-secondary vocational school (szkoła policealna) no longer counts (the transition period ended on 30 June 2026). Only certain minors are exempt.
- EU long-term resident permit. The Act on Foreigners requires confirmed knowledge of Polish – one accepted document is a certificate at B1 or higher. The requirement does not apply to children under 16.
- Work and study. Some employers and universities expect documented Polish skills – check the requirements of the specific institution.
Note: a language-course certificate does not replace the state certificate. The Ministry of the Interior page on recognition as a Polish citizen makes this clear.
Will Polish citizenship require B2?
In October 2025 the Ministry of the Interior presented draft proposals, including raising the language requirement to B2 and introducing a test of knowledge about Poland. In May 2026 the ministry said it was still working on the package. The President’s amending bill (extending the residence period from 3 to 10 years) leaves the language requirement unchanged, and an MPs’ bill tightening the rules was rejected by the Sejm at first reading on 9 January 2026.
As of September 2026, the required level is still B1 (Article 30 of the Polish Citizenship Act). It is not known whether or when new rules will take effect, or what transitional provisions they might include. If you plan to apply, it makes sense not to put the exam off.
Polish B1 exam format
The exam has a written part and an oral part. Under the regulation on Polish as a foreign language exams, the written part at B1 for adults lasts no longer than 190 minutes and consists of four modules. The time for each module is stated on the exam paper, and there is a break of at least 10 minutes between modules.
| Part | Module | What it tests | Pass mark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written | Listening | understanding recordings: announcements, conversations, broadcasts | min. 50% |
| Written | Reading | understanding practical and press texts | min. 50% |
| Written | Grammar | inflection, syntax and vocabulary in context | min. 50% |
| Written | Writing | your own texts, e.g. a letter, an email, a short piece | min. 50% |
| Oral | Speaking | responses based on a randomly drawn set of tasks | min. 50% |
The oral part lasts up to 15 minutes and takes place on the day of the written part or the following day. You draw a set of tasks and respond in front of the examining board.
Scoring and pass mark
At B1 you need at least 50% in each written module and in the oral part. A high overall score is not enough – failing a single module means failing the exam. Your result is shown as a percentage in the supplement to the certificate.
The centre sends you your result in writing, and the Commission issues the certificate within 30 days of receiving the exam report. Within 21 days of receiving your result you can request a re-mark of the written part (for a fee) and ask to see a copy of your paper.
Registration: where and how to sign up
- Check the session schedule. Exam dates are set by the Commission and published on certyfikatpolski.pl, together with the list of authorised centres. There are several B1 sessions a year, and several centres operate in Warsaw.
- Choose a centre and a date. You register directly with the centre, giving your full name, date of birth, sex, postal address and email, and stating the date and level.
- Pay the fee. Payment is a condition of registration.
- Don’t leave it late. The centre must enter candidates in the Commission’s database no later than one month before the exam, so registration closes earlier and places are often limited.
- Bring the ID document specified by the centre.
How much does the Polish B1 exam cost?
Each centre sets its own price, but the law sets a cap. Until the end of 2026, the fee for the adult B1 exam may not exceed the equivalent of 150 euros.
From 1 January 2027, an amendment to the Polish Language Act (Journal of Laws 2026, item 676) applies. The cap for adult B1 will be 7% of the average salary for the third quarter of the previous year, and a separate fee of 100 PLN will be charged for issuing the certificate after you pass. The “adult” group will cover anyone aged 16 or over. Always check current prices with your chosen centre.
How to prepare for the B1 exam
- Start with a diagnosis. Take a practice test to find your weakest module – that is the one that will decide your result.
- Know the requirements. The B1 standards cover everyday topics: home, work, health, shopping, travel, official matters, free time.
- Listen every day. Polish radio, podcasts, the news – first for the gist, then for detail.
- Sort out your grammar. Cases after prepositions, numerals, verb aspect, verbs of motion, the conditional.
- Write against the clock. Practise formal and informal letters – register (Pan/Pani or the informal “ty”) matters.
- Speak out loud. Practise describing, giving opinions and handling everyday conversations.
- Sit a full mock exam. Over three hours of written work tests your concentration – rehearse it beforehand.
Common mistakes in the B1 exam
- Neglecting one module. The 50% threshold applies to each module separately.
- Going off-task in writing. Missing a point from the instructions, using the wrong text type, leaving out the greeting or sign-off.
- Mixing registers. Addressing an office informally, or sounding too formal in a letter to a friend.
- Calques from English, Russian or Ukrainian. False friends and wrong verb patterns.
- Trying to catch every word of a recording instead of focusing on the meaning.
- Poor time management – spending too long on a single task.
- Registering too late – places for popular dates fill up quickly.
FAQ
Does the B1 certificate expire?
The regulations do not set an expiry date for the certificate. Once you have it, you can use it in different procedures.
What if I fail one module?
Then you have failed the exam. You can register for another session and sit the exam again. If you believe your written part was marked incorrectly, you have 21 days to request a re-mark.
How long does the whole exam take?
The written part lasts up to 190 minutes plus breaks between modules, and the oral part up to 15 minutes – on the same day or the next.
Can I take the exam outside Poland?
Yes. Authorised centres also operate abroad. The list is available on the Commission’s website.
Is a language course enough instead of the certificate?
No. To be recognised as a Polish citizen you need the state certificate or an appropriate school certificate. A course certificate does not meet the requirement.
How we can help
At Sowa we run a Polish B1 exam preparation course with mock exams under real timed conditions – in person in Warsaw and online. Our teachers know the exam format inside out and can explain grammar in Ukrainian, Russian or English when needed, so you make faster progress.