From this guide, you’ll learn everything about the Katowice Resident Card. Who can get it, what are its benefits, and how to apply? Read our guide and take advantage of the opportunities the city of Katowice offers.

1. What Is Katowice Resident Card?

The City of Katowice is growing — there’s no doubt about that. Many people come here for work or studies. In the process, they use the city’s infrastructure and services, and earn and spend money, but… they are not officially registered in the city and pay their taxes elsewhere. This is a loss of the town, so Katowice wants to attract residents and encourage them to officially register here. One of the ideas for achieving this is granting the Katowice Resident Card (KRC) and promoting the residents. 

The basics of the Katowice Resident Card program:

• strengthening the sense of local identity among residents;
• improving living conditions and quality of life by making it easier to access cultural, sports, and recreational services;
• promoting the city as an attractive place to settle down;
• encouraging both residents and people from outside Katowice to register in the city and pay taxes here;
• developing the city.

Fortunately, the program is designed in a way that benefits both sides, so we encourage you to explore it and apply for the card. Keep reading to know more.

2. What Does the Katowice Resident Card Offer?

The Katowice Resident Card (KRC) provides a range of discounts and benefits that you can use in the city.

The most important advantages include:

• parking discounts: 50% off parking in the Culture Zone and Tylna Mariacka Street, 30% off parking in Galeria Katowicka.
• discounts on medical and aesthetic services. For the full list of discounts, visit this page;
• discounts on sports activities and facilities, including 60% off city pools, 50% off gym memberships, and other facilities managed by MOSiR (Municipal Sports and Recreation Centers);
• cheaper dining out up to 20% discounts in selected restaurants. For the full list, see here;
• cultural discounts: up to 50% off events and concerts organized in Katowice.

All the facilities and discounts are available HERE (in Polish only).

3. Who Can Apply For The Katowice Resident Card?

You can receive the card if you meet at least one of the following conditions:

• you are permanently registered in Katowice (regardless of age) — in this case, the card is issued automatically without the need to submit an application or visit the office;
• you are temporarily registered and pay personal income tax in Katowice;
• you pay personal income tax in Katowice;
• you are a student temporarily registered in the city of Katowice;
• you are temporarily registered in the city and have not yet turned 26;
• you are in a care and education facility in Katowice (up to 18 years old), or you are a caretaker or director of such a facility;
• you are in a residential social assistance facility in the city of Katowice.

Each card is personalized and can only be used by its holder (the card is valid only when presented with a photo ID).

4. How To Apply For the Katowice Resident Card?

The Katowice Resident Card can be obtained in three different forms. Each form is equally valid and entitles you to the same number of discounts. They can all be used interchangeably.

You can obtain the resident card:

• using the mobile app (M-Card)
• online, linking it to your existing bank card (Virtual card)
• in a physical version (similar to a credit card).

Mobile App (M-Card)

You can download the Katowice Resident Card app from both Google Play and the App Store.

If you are permanently registered in Katowice, you can create the card in the app yourself. After entering your information, the system will automatically check if you are in the registration database in Katowice. If yes, you will receive the Katowice Resident Card automatically.

If you don’t have permanent registration but meet other requirements, you need to submit the appropriate application at the Residents’ Service Office (Biuro Obsługi Mieszkańca) in the city hall.

Address: ul. Rynek 1, Katowice / counters no. 13 and 14.

Virtual Card

If you have permanent residency in Katowice, you can ask for the Katowice Resident Card to be “encoded” on your bank card at any point honoring discounts that is a Merchant of the program – for example, at Katowice swimming pools. Those without permanent registration, but who meet the criteria to receive it, must go to the Resident Service Office at Market Square 1 (counters 13, 14).

Physical Card

In this case, you also need to go to the Residents’ Service Office at Rynek 1 (positions 13 and 14) and fill out the application. You can download it HERE and fill out in advance.

The card is issued free of charge.

5. Katowice Resident Card Mobile App

If you qualify for the program (automatically or by submitting the application), we encourage you to use the app.

What does the app offer?

• access to information about current prices, discounts, and temporary promotions;
• granted discounts;
• information on the validity period of KRC entitlements;
• ability to change your password and username (assigned during the first login to the app);
• checking personal data of the KRC holder;
• activating and deactivating the M-Card;
• blocking the KRC and submitting a request for re-issuance;
• downloading the transaction history made using the KRC;
• sending and receiving messages from the Residents’ Service Office;
• requesting account deletion/anonymization of data.

6. Terms & Conditions

Unfortunately, the official KRC website is only available in Polish, but you can also learn more about the program by reading the program’s official terms. 

The English version is available at this link.

If you have questions regarding relocation and the first steps when moving to Poland and Katowice, check out more guides here.