Renewing the validity of a student ID card is a formality that should be remembered every semester. If you have a traditional plastic ELS card, the university must update the data stored on the card and place a hologram on it with the new validity date. However, in the 2026/2027 academic year, students can also use mLegitimation in the mObywatel app, which does not require physical stickers. How to renew the card, how long to wait to renew it, and what to do if you miss the deadline? We explain the most important rules.
In short – the most important information:
The traditional ELS student ID card is a document whose validity is confirmed for subsequent semesters. In practice, this means that you need to regularly update the card at the deanery or another unit designated by the university.
The most important dates are two: 31 March & 31th of Oktober. It is they that appear on holograms confirming the validity of physical credentials.
The following deadlines apply in the academic year 2026/2027:
|
Period |
Validity period of the hologram |
|
Summer semester 2025/2026 |
31.10.2026 |
|
Winter semester 2026/2027 |
31.03.2027 |
|
Summer semester 2026/2027 |
31.10.2027 |
For example, if your ID card has a hologram with the date 31-10-26, you should renew the document for the next semester so that you can continue to use your valid ELS from November onwards.
It is worth noting that the date on the hologram is not the only requirement for the validity of the ID card. The document must also correspond to your current status at the university.
There is no uniform schedule that applies to all Polish universities. Each institution independently organizes the process of issuing holograms and updating cards.
For example, in October 2026:
It is best to check the current announcements on USOSweb, the university's electronic mail service, or on the dean's website.
Renewing your ID card is usually not complicated. In most cases, all you need to do is prepare a card, check the deadline set by the university, and go to the appropriate service point.
Before visiting the deanery, make sure that you have the right to extend the validity of the document.
The university primarily verifies your status and eligibility to continue studying in the next semester.
If you have uncredited courses or are awaiting a decision regarding conditional semester credit, the possibility of extending the ELS may depend on the completion of the relevant formalities.
Universities usually publish information regarding the renewal of credentials in:
In some places, an appointment must be booked in advance. It also happens that the IDs are collected in groups by the mayors of the year.
The university employee performs two actions:
Both elements are important. The date sticker alone does not replace the electronic update of the part of the document.
After the update is complete, make sure that the new hologram is on the card and that the expiration date is correct.
Also check whether the ID card has been damaged and whether it still works in university systems, such as the library or access control.
It depends on the type of ID you have.
The plastic ELS cannot be fully extended over the internet, Because in addition to updating the data stored on the card, it is necessary to place a physical hologram.
However, some universities allow you to complete some of the formalities online, such as booking an appointment, checking your eligibility for the next semester, or złsubmitting the appropriate application.
The situation is different in the case of mLegitimation.
From the 2025/2026 academic year, the student card is the basic document confirming the status of a student with a PESEL number.
Its validity is extended by the issuance of an electronic student certificate. Therefore, you do not need to come to the dean’s office to get the hologram.
The exact procedure may vary depending on the university:
For example, Opole University of Technology informs that extending the mLegitimation for the next semester is possible after the student has properly registered and no earlier than 30 days before the document expires.
Therefore, before starting the new semester, it is worth opening the mLegitimation and checking its current status.
The way to check the validity depends on whether you are using a traditional ELS card or a digital document.
In the case of a traditional ID card, it is easiest to check the date on the last hologram.
For example:
However, remember that the hologram is only a visible element confirming the validity of the document. The university also updates the data in the chip.
If you use a digital ID, open it in the mObywatel app and check the expiration date information.
In the event of the certificate expiring, you must follow the procedure of your university.
Important: If you have an active mLegitimation card, but the hologram on the plastic ELS has expired, you can use a valid digital document. However, this does not mean that the plastic card itself has been automatically renewed.
Missing the deadline for extending the document does not automatically mean losing the student status.
However, it may cause problems when using discounts or other services where a valid ID is required.
If your plastic ELS has an outdated hologram, you should contact the dean’s office as soon as possible.
In most cases, you can extend the validity of your card even after the designated deadline has passed, as long as you still have the appropriate credentials.
The problem may arise primarily during ticket checks.
For example, a student who purchased a rail ticket with a 51% discount must have a valid document confirming their entitlement to such travel.
If ELS finds that the hologram is invalid and does not have another accepted document, the controller may challenge the relief and charge the appropriate fee.
The amount of the fee depends on the carrier and the applicable tariff.
In such a situation, it is worth checking whether there is a possibility to złfile a complaint and subsequently document the entitlement to the discount. The detailed rules depend on the carrier.
Official holograms used to confirm the validity of ELS are strict accounting forms. Universities are responsible for recording them and placing them on students' documents.
Therefore, it is not possible to extend the validity of the ID card yourself by purchasing a sticker with the appropriate date printed on it.
However, they are available for sale: ELS student holograms in collectible versions, covering various years, dates and graphic variants.
These stickers are intended for private collections. They do not replace the holograms issued by universities, do not confirm a student's status, nor entitle to discounts.
The plastic ELS ID card has a limited number of fields intended for holograms.
If all seats have already been taken, you must contact the university. In this case, a new card may be required.
You should not remove previous stickers or apply new holograms yourself outside the areas designated for this purpose.
Yes. As of July 13, 2026, a new model of plastic student ID card has been introduced, but documents issued earlier have not lost their validity due to this.
The Ministry of Science and Higher Education confirmed that There is no obligation to exchange the current ELS cards solely because of a change in the design.
This means that a student holding a certificate issued, for example, in 2023 or 2024 can continue to renew it if they continue their studies and meet the required conditions.
The new design applies to cards issued from July 13, 2026.
However, it is worth knowing that due to the change in the templates, some universities have introduced temporary delays in issuing new ELSs and their duplicates.
This does not affect the possibility of using previously issued, properly extended documents.
The possibility of extending the ELS is closely related to the rights resulting from studying.
According to the applicable regulations, the ID card generally remains valid until the completion of studies, the suspension of a student's rights, or the removal from the student list.
However, there is an important exception regarding graduates of first-cycle studies.
After completing a bachelor's degree or engineering studies The ID card remains valid until October 31st of the year of graduation.
For example, a person who obtained a bachelor's degree in June 2027 can keep their license valid until October 31, 2027.
After completing my master's degree Such an extension does not apply until the end of October. The document loses its validity in accordance with the rules regarding the completion of studies.
It is also worth remembering that the hologram itself, with its expiryzł date, does not allow students to retain their student rights after they have been lost.
IDs with a hologram 31-10-26 are valid until October 31, 2026, provided that the student still holds the appropriate credentials. Before that date, the document must be extended for the next semester in accordance with the university’s schedule.
For the winter semester 2026/2027, the hologram with the date 31-03-27 is used. It confirms the physical validity of the ELS until March 31, 2027, provided that the student’s rights are maintained.
The possibility of extending the document depends on the student's status and the university's decisions and procedures. If you have uncredited courses but have obtained permission to continue studying on a conditional basis, you may still be eligible to update your ELS.
Yes, in principle the university can extend the document even after the deadline if you still have the appropriate credentials. However, you should not consider the non-renewed ELS as valid proof of entitlement to discounts until the update is made.
Standard extension of the validity of an existing ELS card usually does not require payment for a new card. However, fees may apply for issuing a new ID card or a duplicate. Detailed information is worth checking with your university.
At some universities, yes, but this is not a rule for all students. Some universities require you to update or reactivate your document yourself. You should check the certificate expiration date and the instructions from your institution.
Yes. The Ważna mLegitymacja is an independent document confirming your student status. You can present it during the check-in, provided that you meet the remaining conditions of the given benefit.
No. Previously issued credentials remain valid in accordance with applicable regulations. If you are still studying and have a valid ELS, you can renew it for the next semester without having to replace it solely due to the introduction of the new format.
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The Hologramykolekcjonerskie24.com editorial team has been specializing in the topic for over 10 years. collectible holograms and patterns related to educational documents. We are preparing practical guides on ELS student holograms, doctoral ELDs and school-based ones, and their dates, variants, safeguards, and histories.
The published content is based on reliable sources regarding the Polish education system, applicable legal regulations, regulations of the relevant ministries, and official information provided by universities, schools, and public institutions. We regularly update the materials to reflect changes in regulations, document templates, and policies applicable in Polish education.
The website is informational and collector-oriented and is not affiliated with any university, school, ministry, or other public institution.
