Moving with children to Poland requires not only choosing a nearby school but also understanding the entire system: nurseries for toddlers up to 3 years old, kindergartens for children aged 3–6, and primary schools starting at 7 years old. For foreigners, the journey begins with obtaining a PESEL, registering at the place of residence, and often waiting in line at municipal offices. This article compiles types of institutions, application deadlines, and tips in case the child does not speak Polish.
In short for those in a hurry: applications for kindergartens are submitted in spring, usually in March-April, for the next school year. There is a separate queue for nurseries, and there are few places available. Schools are assigned based on the registered address; if there are no spots, the child will be directed to the nearest one. Children without knowledge of Polish receive initial language training and preparatory classes. Without a PESEL, it is difficult to enroll in most institutions
Nurseries: institutions for children up to 3 years old
Public nurseries are subsidized: parents pay up to a set limit, and the rest is covered by the gmina. Private nurseries are more expensive, but the waiting list is shorter. There are not enough places in municipal nurseries in Gdańsk, so it is advisable to get on the waiting list right after the child is born or even before moving.
Age: usually from 20 weeks to 3 years, specific limits depend on the institution.
Schedule: full day from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM or part-time, with an additional fee for extended hours.
Cost: in 2026, the parental fee in public nurseries is limited by law (the current limit should be checked on the gmina’s website), while prices in private nurseries start from 1500–2500 zlotys per month.
Applications are submitted through the Gdańsk gmina portal or in person at the chosen institution.
Kindergarten for children aged 3–6
Kindergarten prepares the child for school: it provides Polish language skills, socialization skills, and basic preparation. Most children attend public kindergartens (free, with only meals being paid) or private ones (with state subsidies).
What needs to be done:
Ensure that the child has a PESEL and that you are registered at an address in Gdańsk.
In spring, keep an eye on announcements on the website gdansk.pl: this is where applications for kindergartens open.
Select several kindergartens by priority: proximity to home, language, profile of the institution.
Submit the application online and wait for the list of accepted children; results are usually published in May-June.
If the child does not get into a kindergarten, the gmina will offer an alternative option or place them on a waiting list.
Foreign children are often recommended to spend a year in a preparatory class at school or a kindergarten with enhanced Polish language support. Check options with the education department at the chosen school.
Primary school
The school is assigned based on the place of residence (the principle of territorial distribution). Parents come with documents to the school corresponding to their address, and the child is enrolled if there are places available. If the school is full, the regional education authority will direct them to another one.
Grades 1–3: primary level, most subjects are taught by one teacher.
Grades 4–8: subjects are taught by different teachers, and grades begin to influence the choice of high school.
Bilingual education: there are schools in Gdańsk with enhanced English or German, but places are limited and there is a competition.
Preparatory class: for children aged 7 who have a weak knowledge of Polish, a year of adaptation before enrolling in a regular class.
Documents required for enrollment: birth certificate (with translation if necessary), child’s PESEL, proof of residence registration, vaccination card (if behind the Polish vaccination schedule, it can be caught up with a pediatrician).
Doctor, health insurance, and vaccinations
The child will need a pediatrician. If the family has NFZ insurance, they need to choose a clinic and make an appointment. Without insurance, private consultations are available or insurance can be arranged through the employer.
The school and kindergarten will ask for a certificate from the doctor regarding vaccinations and a general examination of the child. It is better to obtain the certificate in advance: in September, the queues to pediatricians are noticeably longer than usual.
If the child does not speak Polish
Gdańsk accepts many foreign children, and schools offer several formats of support:
- Tutoring and additional Polish language classes.
- Psychological and pedagogical assistance: support from the school psychologist and speech therapist.
- Non-governmental organizations: free clubs and tutors for children with migration experience.
Do not hesitate to write a letter to the school principal in Polish (you can use a translator), describe the child’s situation, and ask about available language support.
Summer camps and activities during holidays
From the end of June to the end of August, the gmina and private centers organize day camps with meals and excursions. Registration opens in May, and places fill up quickly. Costs start from 400 zlotys per week in public camps and from 800 zlotys in private ones, with English language or swimming. Announcements can be found on gdansk.pl and in local parent groups.
After-school clubs, sports, music, dance are registered in September through the school or local sports and recreation center. For children with special needs, it is advisable to contact the psychological and pedagogical consultation in the place of residence.
Residence registration and address for school
To enroll in kindergarten and school, residence registration is required, either permanent or temporary, at an address in Gdańsk. Temporary registration is arranged through the apartment owner at the district administration; without it, the child may not be accepted into kindergarten based on territorial principles. If the housing is rented, it is advisable to include a clause about consent for registration in the rental agreement (more details in the guide on renting housing in Gdańsk).
Foreign children have the right to free education under the same conditions as Polish citizens if their parents are legally in the country. A document of education from the country of origin should be translated by a sworn translator: the translation will be useful when transferring to another school or when returning home.
Common mistakes made by parents
They are late in submitting applications for kindergarten: places are taken within a day.
They do not arrange a PESEL for the child before submitting documents.
They choose housing without considering the territorial distribution of schools, which results in the child being directed far from home.
They do not account for the fee for meals in kindergarten: this is an additional 80–150 zlotys per month.
This material is for informational purposes only. Application deadlines and payment limits change, and current information should be checked on gdansk.pl and your gmina’s website. Enrollment rules may differ for private institutions. Updated: June 2026.
