From June 30, 2026, doctoral students can use the mLegitimation of a Doctoral Student in the mObywatel application. This digital document allows them to confirm their status as a doctoral student, enjoy discounts, and does not require the possession of an ELD plastic card. Importantly, activating it is simpler than with a student ID – no need to download a QR code from the university or apply to the dean’s office for a special code. How to add the mLegitimation of a Doctoral Student to a phone, what to do if the document does not display, and whether traditional ELD holograms are still needed?
In short – the most important information:
The doctoral degree certificate is an official digital document available in the mObywatel application. It is the electronic equivalent of the traditional ELD doctoral degree certificate, issued to individuals studying in doctoral schools.
Its biggest advantage is the ability to confirm the status of a doctoral student without having to carry a plastic card.
The document can be used, among other things, for:
The ID is a full-fledged document, not a photo of a plastic ELD recorded on the phone.
Important: The identity card itself does not guarantee all discounts. For example, the statutory 51% -year-old rail discount is available to doctoral students until the age of 35. Some commercial promotions may have other restrictions.
The official launch of the doctoral degree certificate took place June 30, 2026. From that date, the document can be added to the mObywatel application.
The change stems from legal and technical solutions prepared by the Ministry of Digitization and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.
The introduction of mLegitimation means that doctoral students no longer have to rely solely on physical ELD cards.
In the academic year 2026/2027, therefore, there are two forms of the document:
The Ministry also confirmed that previously issued plastic ID cards remain valid. The introduction of the mobile version did not require their replacement.
Adding a doctoral degree certificate is simpler than for a digital student ID card.
You don't have to generate special codes in USOSweb or wait for a message from the dean's office.
If you don’t have mObywatel yet, download the app from the official store:
Upon first launch, activation of the application will be required and identity verification will be performed using an available method, such as a trusted profile, electronic banking, or e-ID.
If you are already using mObywatel, make sure that you have the current version installed.
This is important because older versions of the application may not contain the „Doctoral Degree Certificate” document.
After launching the application, go to the section containing your documents.
Then:
The application will start downloading the data needed to display the digital identity card.
For doctoral students, there is no need to scan the QR code or type in the activation code.
The data used to verify the status come from the POL-on system.
If your information is correct and you meet the conditions for using the document, the mLegitymacja will be added to the application.
After the activation is complete, open the ID card and verify the displayed information.
Pay special attention to:
If you notice any irregularities, contact the administration of the doctoral school.
Do not try to correct the data yourself in the application if the error is due to information recorded in the university system.
No. This is one of the most important differences between the PhD Certificate and the Student Certificate.
In the case of student credentials, a QR code and activation code provided by the university are used to activate them.
The doctoral student's ID does not require such data. Its addition takes place automatically after selecting the appropriate document in mObywatel and verifying the data.
Therefore, there is no need:
The QR code, however, can appear during the electronic verification of the document's authenticity. This is, however, a different function than the activation of the identity card.
Problems with adding digital credentials may occur especially for people who have recently started their studies, changed their personal details, or have outdated information in the university system.
Most often it is worth checking several causes.
If you don’t see the „Doctoral Degree Certificate” option in the list of documents, start by updating the application.
Then restart it and try to add the document again.
POL-on is a nationwide system of information about higher education and science.
It includes, among other things, information regarding:
If the system lacks the correct data, the application may not be able to confirm your authorization.
In such a situation, you should contact the doctoral school and request that the data be checked in POL-on.
If you were recently admitted to a doctoral program, the information about the start of your studies may not yet be correctly recorded in the system.
It is worth remembering that just qualifying for recruitment is not equivalent to starting the education and obtaining all the rights of a doctoral student.
If you already have the status of a doctoral student, but the document is still not available, ask the administration of the doctoral school for verification.
If the app displays an error message, check your internet connection and try again after it has been launched.
When the problem persists, it is worth first verifying the correctness of the data in the doctoral school. This procedure is also recommended by the Ministry of Science.
If the information is correct and the document still does not work, you can report the problem through the official mObywatel support channel.
The validity of a doctoral student's degree is linked to the current status of the person studying in the doctoral school.
Unlike traditional ELD credentials, there is no need to renew them by attaching a physical hologram.
The system verifies the permissions based on the data stored in POL-on.
The most important information is two:
This means that simply having the document on your phone does not guarantee its indefinite validity.
Example: The doctoral candidate finishes his education at the doctoral school on June 15, 2027. His credentials are not automatically extended until September 30 solely because such a deadline previously existed on traditional ELD holograms.
After completion of the training, the document cannot be used to confirm outdated qualifications.
There is no need to go through the annual procedure of attaching the hologram, because the document is in digital form.
The validity is verified based on the data from POL-on. The application includes functions related to updating and re-downloading the document.
It is worth checking its status regularly, especially after changing personal data, starting a new academic year, or ending a break provided for in the regulations of the doctoral school.
Yes. After properly adding the document, you can also use it offline.
This means that the license can be displayed on the phone even when:
However, it is worth remembering that adding a document, updating data, and some methods of electronic verification may require a connection to the network.
Before traveling, it is best to check whether the ID is available and has an up-to-date status.
The screenshot does not replace the official document. During the check, you must show your ID directly in the app.
Yes. A doctoral student's ID can be used to confirm the rights derived from the status of a doctoral student, including the right to statutory allowances for certain travel expenses.
The most important thing is Railfare relief 51% for doctoral students up to the age of 35.
It applies to certain domestic tickets, in accordance with the regulations on discounted travel.
For example:
Price of a regular ticket | Price with discount 51% |
40 zł | 19,60 zł |
80 zł | 39,20 zł |
120 zł | 58,80 zł |
200 zł | 98,00 zł |
Doctoral discounts also apply to certain bus services. Statutory discount 51% covers corresponding monthly name-based tickets for regular and express services.
In the case of public transport, doctoral students’ eligibility may depend on local regulations. There is no single, uniform doctorate exemption for all cities.
Important: The use of mLegitmacja is not subject to age restrictions. A doctoral student who has reached the age of 35 cannot benefit from the statutory rail discount 51% simply because they have a valid document.
The introduction of the digital document does not mean the complete withdrawal of traditional doctoral credentials.
Previously issued plastic ELDs remain valid, and doctoral students can still use this form of document.
The most important differences are presented in the table:
Feature | Doctoral student's ID card | Plastic ELD |
Form | Digital document | Card with a chip |
Where is it available? | Citizen | Doctoral School |
Activation | Automatic based on data | Issue by the authorized entity |
QR code for activation | Unnecessary | Not applicable |
Verifying the validity | Data from POL-on | Card update and hologram |
Using without the internet | Yes, after activation | Yes |
Do I need to have both documents? | No | No |
According to POL-on information, as of June 30, 2026, plastic ID cards are issued at the request of individuals who do not yet have such a document, e.g., new doctoral students.
Yes, holograms are still used to confirm the validity of traditional plastic doctoral credentials.
The appropriate actions are carried out by the authorized doctoral school or another entity issuing the document.
ELD holograms come in various vintage models and graphic variations. For this reason, they are also of interest to collectors of holographic stickers.
Our store offers the following products: ELD doctoral holograms in collector's editions, including the latest and archival editions.
However, it is worth distinguishing them from official security documents issued by authorized entities. Collector's items do not constitute proof of the validity of the ID card and do not entitle the holder to use doctoral discounts.
The doctoral degree certificate was made available in the mObywatel application on June 30, 2026. From that moment on, it serves as the primary form of the doctoral degree certificate.
Open the mObywatel app, select „Add document”, find „Doctoral Degree Certificate” and confirm its addition. The data is automatically downloaded based on the information available in the relevant systems.
No. Unlike a student ID card, a doctoral student's document does not require scanning the QR code received from the university or entering the activation code.
The reason could be an outdated version of mObywatel, lack of appropriate data in POL-on, or a technical problem. First, update the application; if the problem persists, contact the doctoral school.
No. The doctoral student's ID is a separate document. You do not need to have a previously issued plastic ID or hologram.
Yes. It can be used to confirm the status of a doctoral student during ticket checks. However, all conditions of the given discount must be met, including the age limit of 35 years for the statutory 51% rail discount.
Yes. After the document has been previously added, it can be displayed offline. An internet connection may be required to update the data and some verification features.
No. The introduction of mLegitimation on June 30, 2026 did not invalidate previously issued plastic cards. They can still be used in accordance with the applicable rules.
The validity of the document depends on having the status of a doctoral student. Education in a doctoral school generally ends on the day the doctoral dissertation złis defended with a positive opinion from the promotor, and not only during the public defense.
On the new phone, you need to reactivate the mObywatel app and add the document. If there are any problems, use the current app instructions or technical support. You do not need a separate QR code from the university to activate mLegitmacja doktoranta.
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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.
