Poland consolidates rules for electronic student ID cards and diplomas

The Minister of Science and Higher Education has announced a consolidated text of the regulation on studies, bringing together in a single document the rules governing electronic student ID cards and electronic diplomas. The announcement, signed by Minister M. Kulasek, was published in Dziennik Ustaw on 14 September 2026 under item poz. 1207.

The consolidated text, issued by the announcement of 25 August 2026, reproduces the regulation of 27 September 2018 on studies (Dz. U. 2023 poz. 2787) as amended by three later instruments: the amending regulations of 29 August 2025 (poz. 1220), 8 May 2026 (poz. 643) and 19 June 2026 (poz. 832). It is based on Article 16(3) of the Act of 20 July 2000 on the publication of normative acts.

Electronic student ID cards

The regulation defines two forms of the student ID card, both covered by a single template in Annex 1:

• the mLegitymacja studencka, a mobile document handled through the mObywatel application;
• the elektroniczna legitymacja studencka, issued as a processor card.

Validity is confirmed every semester — for the mobile card by issuing a student certificate under the mObywatel Act, and for the processor card by updating the data on the chip and placing a hologram. A card remains valid no longer than until the end of studies, suspension of student rights or removal from the student list, and for first-cycle graduates until 31 October of the year of graduation. The fee for issuing an electronic student ID card is 22 zł.

Electronic diplomas and the RDE

The consolidated text also regulates electronic diplomas and their supplements, which are registered in the Repozytorium Dyplomów Elektronicznych (RDE). An electronic diploma must carry its RDE identifier, and authentication of documents for legal circulation abroad is done by registering an electronic authentication clause in the RDE, signed with a qualified electronic signature.

The electronic-diploma provisions take effect on 1 January 2027. Graduates who completed their studies before that date continue to receive paper diplomas with supplements under the previous rules, and their personal files are kept accordingly.

Fees and transition rules

The consolidated text fixes the fees charged by universities:

• 4 zł for issuing an index;
• 20 zł for a copy of a diploma or supplement in a foreign language and for duplicates;
• 22 zł for an electronic student ID card;
• 26 zł for authentication of documents for legal circulation abroad;
• 85 zł for recruitment, rising to 100 zł where an entrance exam is held and 150 zł where artistic aptitude is tested.

Cards issued before the entry into force of the amending regulations remain valid until the end of studies, suspension or removal from the list, and first-cycle graduates keep theirs until 31 October of the year of graduation. Old-style cards could be issued under the previous templates until 12 July 2026.

The consolidated text gives students and graduates a single, up-to-date reference for the rules that govern their documents, from the mobile card in their phone to the electronic diploma in the national repository, and clarifies the fees and deadlines that apply as the digital transition of higher-education documents is completed.

Source: Dziennik Ustaw, 14 September 2026, notices, p. 1 (official reference: Dz. U. 2026 poz. 1207).