Profil Zaufany: How a Ukrainian Can Create a Trusted Profile
A trusted profile (Profil Zaufany) is a free electronic signature that provides access to Poland’s public services online. To create one, a Ukrainian needs a PESEL number, a Polish phone number, and an email address. The fastest way to create a profile is through online banking; video verification and an in-person visit to a confirmation point are also available.
Our experience shows that problems almost always arise at the confirmation stage, not when completing the form. Clients who contact us after unsuccessful attempts have most often entered their details differently from those in their passport. Below is a concise practical guide from "Zahist"
What Profil Zaufany Is — a Trusted Profile in Poland
In short, what a trusted profile is: it is an electronic identity confirmed by the authorities of Poland. With it, documents can be signed online, and a visit to an institution is often unnecessary. The profile is valid for 3 years and is then renewed. In Poland, a trusted profile is equivalent to a handwritten signature in dealings with public authorities.
What Profil Zaufany Is and How It Differs from ePUAP
The question “what is Profil Zaufany” is often confused with ePUAP. The difference is as follows:
- ePUAP is the platform through which applications are submitted to institutions;
- Profil Zaufany is the means of logging in to the system and signing an application.
In other words, Profil Zaufany is the key, and ePUAP is one of the services that this key opens.
Why a Ukrainian Needs a Trusted Profile
A trusted profile in Poland is needed to log in to mObywatel, ZUS, the e-Urząd Skarbowy tax service, and the gov.pl portal. For a Ukrainian, this saves time spent in queues and makes it possible to handle matters from any city in Poland. Since 2025, residence card documents have been submitted through the MOS system, and it is most convenient to sign them with a trusted profile. This is what Profil Zaufany means in practice.
How to Create a Trusted Profile — Methods of Creation
In answering how to create a trusted profile, we distinguish three routes. A mandatory requirement for each is a PESEL number. Ukrainians with UKR status in Poland create a trusted profile on the same terms as everyone else.
Creation through a Bank — the Fastest Option
If you have an account with PKO BP, Pekao, mBank, ING, or another major bank in Poland, the profile can be set up in a few minutes. The procedure is as follows:
- Log in to online banking.
- Select the section with gov.pl services.
- Confirm your details and the request.
The bank itself transmits the information to the public system of Poland, so the profile is active immediately. In our practice, this method results in the fewest refusals.
Confirmation at a Point and Video Verification
Without a Polish bank, a profile can be created on pz.gov.pl and then confirmed by video call with an official or in person at a confirmation point. Confirmation points operate throughout Poland: in gminas, ZUS offices, and tax offices. Confirmation must be completed within 14 days; otherwise, the request is cancelled. To create a trusted profile by video call, keep your passport at hand and ensure a stable internet connection.
What You Can Do with a Trusted Profile — a PESEL Application and Other Services
With a trusted profile, you can sign documents, submit applications to urzędy, file PIT returns, obtain ZUS certificates, and access residence registration data.
How to Complete a PESEL Application through the Profile
Many people search for how to complete a PESEL application online. The form can be completed on gov.pl, but from 1 January 2026 adult foreign nationals from non-EU countries must submit a PESEL application in person at the gmina. Expert advice: prepare the form in advance and check that your name is spelled as in your passport.
Typical Mistakes When Creating and Using a Profile
When analysing client enquiries, we see recurring mistakes:
- the name was entered differently from the passport;
- the trusted profile was linked to an acquaintance’s phone number;
- a phone number registered outside Poland was provided;
- the 14-day confirmation deadline was missed;
- the profile was not renewed on time.
Each of these can easily be avoided with proper preparation.
Assistance with Profil Zaufany from International Law Firm "Zahist"— Get a Consultation
Legal assistance is needed if there is no PESEL, confirmation fails, or an application has been rejected. Specialists at International Law Firm "Zahist" will help you create a trusted profile, prepare an application, and explain how to use Poland’s public services without mistakes. It is easier to get it right the first time when a lawyer familiar with institutional practice is at your side.
