Trusted Profile from Abroad — How to Set Up from the USA (mObywatel, Bank, Consulate)

What is a Trusted Profile

Trusted Profile (ePUAP — Electronic Platform for Public Administration Services) is a digital identity key for Polish offices. Functionally similar to US ID.me or Login.gov, but for Polish e-government.

It identifies you in online interactions with Polish administration:

• ePUAP — Electronic Platform for Public Administration Services
• IKP — Internet Patient Account (NFZ, health)
• e-Tax Office (US-Skarbowy) — taxes
• ZUS PUE — pension, social insurance
• e-Prescription, e-Referral — health
• obywatel.gov.pl — citizen services
• Online Civil Registry Office — birth, marriage records
• e-Court, e-Notary
• Only some municipal offices online services

Why a Polish Citizen in the USA Needs It

Practical Use Cases

• Filing PIT from the USA — more and more Polish emigrants have dual tax obligations
• Checking the status of a case in a Polish office
• Applying online for documents (birth certificate from USC, certificates)
• Buying or selling property — increasingly online
• ZUS pension matters — checking contribution history
• NFZ insurance — IKP, e-Prescription
• Inheritance, donations — online filing
• Voting — some online aspects
• Business — KRS, CEIDG, JPK
• Court — e-Court, some proceedings

3 Ways to Set Up from the USA

Method 1: Through a Polish Bank (Fastest)

If you have an account with a Polish online bank with access to Polish online banking — 5-10 minutes.

Supported Banks (most Polish)

• PKO BP, Pekao SA, Santander, mBank, ING, BNP Paribas, Millennium, Alior, Credit Agricole, Bank Pocztowy, Nest Bank, etc.
• Full list: pz.gov.pl

Procedure

1. Go to pz.gov.pl (Trusted Profile)
2. Select "Register"
3. Select "Create a trusted profile through a bank or other identity provider"
4. Select your bank
5. Log in to your online bank
6. The bank will automatically verify your identity
7. Confirm the creation of the trusted profile
8. Profile active immediately

Benefits

• Fastest (5-10 min)
• No need to leave home
• No mobile app required (if preferred)
• The bank verifies an already known identity

Requirements

• Active account in a Polish bank
• The bank must be supported for the trusted profile
• PESEL in bank data (most Polish banks have it)

Method 2: Through the mObywatel App

If you have a Polish ID (even recently expired) — you can use the mObywatel app to set it up.

Procedure

1. Download the mObywatel app (iOS / Android)
2. Register with PESEL + ID number
3. The app will verify via NFC scan of the ID (requires ID with e-function from ~2015)
4. After activating mObywatel → option "Trusted Profile" → confirm
5. Trusted profile activated

Requirements

• Polish ID with e-function (e-ID, most after 2015)
• Smartphone with NFC
• PESEL

Benefits

• No Polish bank required
• Online, no in-person
• Also provides access to mObywatel features (digital ID, etc.)

Method 3: In Person at the Polish Consulate

Least convenient but most universal — works for any Polish citizen.

Procedure

1. Book an appointment at the Polish consulate via e-consulate
2. Select "Consular Matters" → "Trusted Profile"
3. Prepare documents:
   • Polish passport OR ID
   • PESEL (known)
   • Phone number
   • Email address
4. At the consulate, the consul will verify your identity
5. The consul activates the trusted profile in the system
6. Free of charge

Requirements

• In-person visit at the consulate
• All documents must be currently valid

Benefits

• Works for any Polish citizen
• The consulate can also assist with other matters (passport, PESEL, etc.) in one visit

Practical Info — After Setup

First Login

1. Go to pz.gov.pl or directly to the office (e.g., obywatel.gov.pl)
2. Click "Log in with Trusted Profile"
3. Login: PESEL or email
4. Password: set during setup
5. 2FA: SMS code to Polish number OR email

2FA / Authentication

After logging in, a second verification is required:

• SMS to Polish number — if you have a Polish phone
• Email — alternative if SMS is unavailable
• mObywatel app — some operations require biometric confirmation

If you live in the USA: I recommend setting authentication to email + Polish mobile number with a Polish SIM (e-SIM Orange, Play, T-Mobile PL work in the USA).

Authentication Methods

• Password + SMS — standard
• Banking (bank login) — if you set up through a bank
• mObywatel — through the app after Biometric confirmation
• e-ID — ID with NFC
• Physical key (FIDO) — for high-security users

Common Issues

"I don't have a Polish bank account"

Use the consulate OR mObywatel (if you have an ID).

"My ID has expired"

Expired ID does NOT work for mObywatel verification. You need to go through the consulate or bank.

"I don't have a Polish SMS-receiving phone"

Use email authentication. Or buy a Polish prepaid SIM (Orange, Play) — works in the USA via roaming or e-SIM.

"I forgot my password"

Reset through the pz.gov.pl site + verification (SMS, email, or consulate).

"I can't log in from the USA"

The trusted profile works globally. If there is a problem, check:

• VPN issues (sometimes Polish sites block international IP — try different ones)
• Some offices may require a Polish IP — try VPN to PL
• Browser compatibility (try Chrome, Firefox)

What You Can Do with a Trusted Profile

Taxes

• Submit PIT online (PIT-37, PIT-36, PIT-28, etc.)
• Check history of declarations
• Applications for refunds, decisions
• Full access to e-Tax Office

Health

• IKP (Internet Patient Account) — treatment history in NFZ
• e-Prescription — online prescriptions
• e-Referral
• e-Visit for some services

ZUS

• ZUS PUE — contribution history, pension forecast
• Communication with ZUS online
• Applications for benefits

Civil Registry Office (USC)

• Order a birth certificate online (PDF, paper)
• Order a marriage certificate
• Order a death certificate
• Delivery by mail to the USA or consulate

Others

• Application for an ID
• De-registration / registration
• Submitting applications to offices
• e-Court, e-Notary
• Some official notifications

Digital Services via Trusted Profile — Examples

Birth Certificate Online (instead of a visit to the office)

1. Log in to obywatel.gov.pl with the trusted profile
2. Select "Birth Certificate" → "Order"
3. Select version (short / full)
4. Select form (PDF, paper)
5. Select delivery (download / by mail)
6. Pay (~20 PLN)
7. Receive within 1-7 days

PIT Online for Emigrants

1. Log in to e-Tax Office
2. Open the PIT-37 or PIT-36 form (depending on the type of income)
3. Fill out online (most fields pre-filled by the system)
4. Attach attachments (PIT/B, PIT/O, etc.)
5. Sign electronically with the trusted profile
6. Send — immediate confirmation

NFZ Insurance Status

Check if you are still insured in NFZ (NFZ has ZUS info).

Validity and Security

Validity Period

• The trusted profile is indefinite in theory
• Some versions require periodic verification (typically every 3 years) — extension identical to setup
• If inactive for a long time — the system may suspend it, requiring reactivation

Security

• Password + 2FA — basic
• Do not share your login/password
• Phishing risk — check URL (pz.gov.pl only)
• 2FA via Polish phone is the safest
• Some operations require mObywatel biometric confirmation

What to Do in Case of Loss of Access

• Password reset via SMS/email
• Visit the consulate with documents — full reset possible
• Technical support: helpdesk@pz.gov.pl

Pitfalls for New Users

"Trusted Profile" vs "Login.gov.pl"

Same thing — pz.gov.pl = login.gov.pl alias. Don't confuse.

Some Operations Require In-Person Visit

Not everything is online — some require the consulate or office in person (e.g., name change, some marriage matters).

VPN Sometimes Needed

Some Polish government sites block international IP. VPN to PL may be needed.

Polish Keyboard / Characters

Some forms require Polish characters (ą, ć, ę, ł, ó, etc.). Ensure your keyboard/system allows typing them.

Practical Tips

• Bank method fastest — if you have a Polish account online
• mObywatel method — if you have a Polish e-ID
• Consulate method — universal backup
• Polish email + Polish phone — best for long-term use
• Periodic login — every few months to maintain activity
• 2FA via email — best if you don't have a Polish phone
• Bookmark pz.gov.pl, obywatel.gov.pl — frequent use
• VPN to PL as a backup if site blocking
• Polish bank account — a significant benefit for cross-border life
• Plan ahead — setup 2-4 weeks before urgent matters
• Polish accountant — sometimes easier to outsource complicated tax matters
• Consulate days — also trusted profile can be handled on those days