A doctoral candidate is a person studying in a doctoral school, preparing a scientific dissertation and applying for a doctoral degree. Although doctoral candidates are part of the academic community, their legal status differs from that of undergraduate or master’s degree students. This is important, among other things, when it comes to using discounts, being employed on a contract basis, and paying ZUS contributions. Check whether the doctoral candidate has the status of a student, what rights he/she has, and how the ELD doctoral degree card differs from the ELS student card.
In short – the most important information:
A doctoral candidate is a person admitted to a doctoral school where they prepare to obtain a doctoral degree or a doctorate in the field of art.
Unlike traditional undergraduate and master's degrees, the doctoral school places a much greater emphasis on independent research activity.
The doctoral candidate not only participates in the classes; first of all, he/she conducts research, analyzes its results, and prepares the doctoral dissertation.
Its basic duties include:
According to the regulations, teaching practices may consist of a maximum of 60 hours per year.
It is worth remembering that a PhD candidate is not yet a doctor. The doctorate degree is awarded only after completing the appropriate procedure, fulfilling the requirements, and obtaining a decision on its granting.
No. Only the education received in a doctoral program does not confer the status of a student within the meaning of the regulations regarding undergraduate, graduate, and unified master's programs.
The doctoral candidate has their own legal status, which entails separate rights and obligations.
This is of particular importance in the case of:
Some of the privileges for students and doctoral candidates are similar. However, this does not mean that both groups are subject to identical rules.
Feature | Student | PhD student |
Type of education | First-degree, second-degree, or unified master's degree studies | Doctoral School |
Legal status | Student | PhD student |
Document | ELS or Student ID | ELD or Master's Degree Certificate |
Railroad concession 51% | By the age of 26 | Until the age of 35 |
Exemption from ZUS upon request | As a rule, up to 26 years of age | It does not come from the mere status of a doctoral student |
Benefits | Among other things, social scholarship and the Rector's scholarship | Doctoral scholarship on separate terms |
The main goal of education | Obtaining a professional title | Preparation for obtaining a doctorate |
Of course, there is a situation where one person is both a doctoral student and a student of a separate field of study. In such a case, they can hold two independent statuses.
However, one should not assume that every doctoral candidate is also a student automatically.
Yes, simply having the status of a doctoral student does not exempt you from paying the fees under the contract of assignment.
This is one of the most important differences between students and doctoral candidates.
A student who has not reached the age of 26 is generally not subject to social and health insurance under a typical assignment contract. The situation is different for those studying in a doctoral program.
The doctoral student may not benefit from this exemption solely on the basis of an ELD certificate.
For example:
In the case of a doctoral student, the details of the settlement may also depend on other insurance benefits, such as receiving a doctoral scholarship or being employed on a full-time basis.
Yes, provided that, regardless of the doctoral program, they also hold the status of a student in the corresponding studies and are not yet 26 years old.
However, simply participating in a doctoral program is not enough to qualify for the exemption.
Example: A person who is 25 years old is a doctoral student and at the same time is studying a second master's degree. In certain situations, they may meet the conditions for student exemption from ZUS under a contract of employment.
In such a case, however, all the circumstances of the employment and any possible overlaps between the titles of the insurances must be taken into account.
PhD students studying in doctoral schools may receive a doctoral scholarship. However, it is not counted in the same way as typical student scholarships.
The mandatory contributions for the doctoral scholarship are paid from the received scholarship to:
Health insurance, however, is voluntary.
The fees are financed in accordance with the rules applicable to doctoral scholarships, and their settlement is handled by the entity that runs the doctoral school.
Does the doctoral scholarship provide health insurance?
PhD students who do not have another title for mandatory health insurance can be enrolled in this insurance by the entity that runs the doctoral program.
If the doctoral candidate is also employed or runs a business, the situation may be different.
In October 2026, the government adopted a draft of amendments concerning, among other things, health insurance for doctoral students. It envisages expanding protection, but the mere fact that the draft was adopted by the Council of Ministers does not mean that the proposed solutions will come into effect.
Although a doctoral candidate does not automatically have the status of a student, the Higher Education and Science Act grants him or her many separate rights.
These include, among others:
PhD students can also use the research infrastructure of the institution that runs the doctoral program, participate in scientific projects, and apply for additional forms of funding for research.
Yes. Having the status of a doctoral student does not mean that you cannot work.
Work can be performed, among other things, on the basis of:
Since October 1, 2023, the earlier general ban on employing a doctoral student as an academic teacher or scientific employee has also been abolished.
However, it is important to remember the possible rules applicable to research projects, the conditions of individual scholarships, and the possibility of fulfilling obligations in the doctoral program.
The current system of doctoral schools has been in place in Poland since the 2019/2020 academic year. It replaced the previous model of doctoral studies, commonly referred to as third-cycle studies.
According to Article 201 of the Higher Education and Science Act, education lasts from 6 to 8 semesters, That is, from 3 to 4 years.
During this time, the doctoral student is completing the curriculum and an individual research plan.
The most important stages include:
In certain situations, the deadline for the złopening of the trial can be formally extended, for a maximum of 2 years.
However, it is worth distinguishing between the completion of the degree and the subsequent process of granting the doctorate degree.
As a rule, no. A separate document is provided to the person studying in a doctoral program – the doctoral student’s ID card.
In its traditional form, it is the Electronic Doctor’s Card (ELD), which is a physical card equipped with an electronic system.
It should not be confused with the Electronic Student Identity Card (ELS), which is issued to students of first and second-degree studies and for integrated master's degrees.
The differences concern not only the name of the document, but also the rules for extending its validity and the scope of the rights.
From June 30, 2026, the basic form of a doctoral student’s ID is a mobile document available in the mObywatel app.
This is a big change compared to the previous rules.
Doctoral degree certificate:
The plastic ELD cards issued so far remain valid. The physical document can still be issued in accordance with the rules set out in the regulations.
In the case of physical ID cards, holograms confirming the document's validity continue to be used.
The institution or another authorized entity updates the data on the card and places the appropriate sticker.
Unlike ELS, whose validity is typically extended every semester, the physical ELD is usually renewed for another academic year.
Individual years and varieties of stickers are also of interest to collectors.
Our store offers the following products: ELD doctoral holograms in collector's editions, including current and archival editions.
It should be remembered that collector's items do not constitute an official confirmation of the validity of the ID card and do not entitle the holder to benefit from doctoral discounts.
Not all of them. PhD students have separate eligibility criteria, so some of the benefits apply on different terms.
The best example is rail transport.
PhD students can benefit from the statutory 51% -year old age limit for retirement., While students benefit from a similar exemption until they turn 26.
The situation in urban transport looks a little different.
Students are entitled to a statutory discount of 50%, while discounts for doctoral students in urban transport depend on the regulations of the respective local government.
PhD students can also receive discounts at museums, cultural institutions and other places if they meet the conditions set out in the regulations.
However, it should be remembered that having an ELD does not automatically mean the right to participate in every promotion described as „student-friendly”.
According to Article 204 of the Higher Education and Science Act, the doctoral education ends with the złpublication of the doctoral dissertation along with the positive opinion of the promoter or promoters.
It does not have to be the same day as the public defense.
Example: The doctoral candidate submits the dissertation with the positive opinion of the supervisor on June 15, but his public defense takes place only in September.
In such a situation, the completion of the education process already takes place in June.
This is important for the validity of the doctoral degree certificate and the right to benefit from the privileges resulting from the status of a doctoral student.
Earlier loss of status may also occur in the event of being removed from the list of doctoral candidates according to the rules provided for in the regulations.
Not in the sense of the regulations concerning first- and second-degree studies. A doctoral candidate has a separate status related to education at the doctoral school. However, they may simultaneously be a student if they independently complete the appropriate studies.
Not based on the mere status of a doctoral student. The student exemption from fees under the contract of commission does not automatically apply to individuals studying in doctoral schools. The situation of an individual who also holds a separate student status may be different.
The doctoral candidate receives a doctoral candidate card, not the standard ELS card. As of June 30, 2026, the basic document is the mDoctoral Candidate card in the mObywatel application. Plastic ELD cards are also available.
Yes. Doctoral scholarships are, as a rule, subject to mandatory pension, disability and accident insurance contributions. Health insurance is voluntary according to the regulations in force in October 2026.
Yes. PhD students can benefit from the statutory 51% discount for certain rail journeys until the age of 35, provided they have the appropriate status and a document confirming their entitlement.
Yes. A doctoral candidate may take employment, including as an academic teacher or research worker. However, they must take into account the obligations arising from the program of the doctoral school, as well as any conditions for additional funding.
PhD students in doctoral schools generally receive a doctoral scholarship, but there are statutory exceptions. The amount of the benefit depends, among other things, on the stage of the education and the mid-term evaluation.
They may have that right, but it depends on local regulations. Municipalities can grant doctoral students discounts on public transportation. There is no one nationwide 50% discount for all doctoral students.
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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.
