There is no more space on the back of your student ID card for the next hologram? This is a problem that primarily affects people who have been studying for a long time, are changing their majors, or are continuing their studies at subsequent levels. The standard plastic ELS card has 12 slots for stickers confirming the document’s validity. Once all of them are used up, you cannot simply attach another hologram anywhere else. What should you do in such a situation? How much does a new ID card cost, and can you use the mID instead?
In short – the most important information:
The standard Electronic Student ID Card (ELS) has the logo on the back 12 numbered fields designated for holograms.
The stickers are placed on the card during subsequent extensions of its validity. According to regulations, the plastic ELS is updated every semester.
In practice, this usually means two holograms during the academic year:
Twelve fields therefore usually suffice for six years of regular renewal of the identity card.
However, this does not mean that every ID card will be used for exactly six years. Earlier document exchanges, breaks in studies, or individual circumstances can affect the actual number of fields used.
Holograms on ELS are not ordinary decorative stickers. They are part of the official system for confirming the validity of a document.
Each field has a specific position, and the holograms are placed in a specific order.
This makes it easy to check whether the ID card was systematically renewed.
Therefore, it is not possible to use any part of the plastic card as additional space for the next hologram.
The most important thing is to report the problem to the deanery or another unit responsible for handling credentials.
If all fields are occupied, the university should indicate the procedure for obtaining a new card.
It usually looks like this:
Look at the reverse side of the ID card and check the numbered locations for holograms.
Do not rely solely on the number of stickers visible at first glance. Some may be partially damaged or scratched.
If you are not sure if there is still a vacant position, show the card to the dean’s staff member.
Contact the deanery and inform them that all the hologram spaces have been used up.
Depending on the university, it may be necessary to:
For example, the University of Warsaw provides for the reimbursement of the current ELS fee and the payment of the fee for the issuance of a new original copy of the document.
The fee depends on how the university determines the necessity of the exchange.
Do not make a transfer to an accidental account. First, check the account number, the title of the deposit, and the amount in the university system.
After preparing the card, the university will inform you about the pickup option.
When receiving the item, it is worth checking:
The new card will have free slots for additional holograms.
Not all universities use the same exchange procedure.
In some departments, filling out the fields is the basis for issuing a new original ELS. In other cases, the student must apply for a duplicate.
Sample fees published by universities in 2026:
University | Rules in the absence of space |
University of Warsaw | New original ELS – 22 zł for the indicated years |
Medical University of Poznań | ELS duplicate – 33 zł |
University of Gdańsk | Free exchange with standard field filling |
University of Gdańsk – special cases not caused by the student | Possible free new ELS |
Before getting złmarried, it is always worth checking the current price list for your year of birth.
Some universities provide exceptions to the payment requirement.
For example, the Gdańsk University regulation of September 3, 2026 allows the free issuance of a new ELS when space is not available for reasons not attributable to the student.
As an example, they pointed to the situation where holograms were being worn down and it was necessary to repeatedly place new stickers with the same expiration date.
Therefore, if the fields filled up prematurely for reasons beyond your control, it is worth asking the university about the possibility of a free exchange.
No. You should not remove the previous holograms to make room for the new ones.
The stickers used on ELS are secured in a way that prevents them from being removed and reused.
More importantly, tampering with an official document can cause it to be damaged or invalidated.
For example, the current regulation of the University of Gdańsk clearly prohibits the removal of holograms placed on the ELS.
It should also not be:
The correct solution is to contact the university and agree on the rules for the exchange of ELS credits.
No. The free space on the back of the ID card does not mean an additional hologram field.
Even if your card does not have a barcode or part of the surface remains unprinted, you cannot assign it to another sticker on your own.
Official holograms must be located in the designated places.
Not necessarily.
From the 2025/2026 academic year, the mLegitimation in the mObywatel application is the basic form of student identification for individuals holding a PESEL number.
It is a standalone document that allows you to confirm your student status without the need for a physical card.
Therefore, if your plastic ELS lacks space for holograms, you can still use your valid mLegitimation.
In practice, this means that You do not have to order a new plastic card just to have a document confirming your student status, If you have a valid ID card, that’s enough.
However, a new ELS may be needed when:
If the current card has additional electronic functions, ask the dean’s office what will happen to them after the replacement.
Many universities allow the use of ELS as a means of paying for public transport tickets.
For example, at the University of Warsaw, the ID card can be used to book tickets and permits related to Warsaw Public Transport.
If you receive a new card, it may be necessary to re-encode the ticket or transfer the relevant data.
It should not be assumed that all functions will be automatically transferred to the new ELS.
Before returning the old ID card, it is worth determining:
Thanks to this, the exchange of credentials will not cause unnecessary problems when using the university’s transport or infrastructure.
Yes, if you have a valid student ID and meet the remaining requirements of the discount.
For rail travel, students up to the age of 26 can benefit from the statutory 51% discount on certain journeys.
Meanwhile, the statutory discount of 50% for public transport is available to students holding a valid ID without a general upper age limit.
During the check, you can present your ID in the mObywatel app.
However, if you do not have an active digital document and the plastic ELS has not been properly renewed, you may have problems verifying your entitlement.
A mere certificate of study is not a universal substitute for a valid ID during ticket checks.
In such a situation, it is best to clarify the matter before purchasing a discounted ticket.
From July 13, 2026, universities will issue plastic ELS badges in a new design.
The change primarily concerns the appearance of the blank and the security features of the document.
However, this does not mean an obligation to replace all existing ID cards.
The Ministry of Science confirmed that previously issued ELS remain valid in accordance with the applicable rules.
This means that:
At some universities, the change in design caused temporary delays in the delivery of new badges.
For example, the Gdańsk University of Technology announced the temporary suspension of the issuance of physical ELS certificates and their duplicates, as well as the planned resumption of this service in October 2026.
If you urgently need a new document, check the current notice from your university.
The holograms used on student ID cards change with each semester. Each edition differs, among other things, in the marking of the expiration dates.
For example, in the academic year 2026/2027, the designations are:
Older and current editions of holographic stickers are also of interest to collectors.
In our store we offer ELS student holograms in collectible versions, covering various editions and graphic variants.
You can check the available editions, compare their appearance, and choose the ones to add to your collection.
Important: These are products intended for collection. They do not replace official holograms, are not used to place on official documents and do not solve the problem of lack of space on identity cards.
The standard plastic ELS has 12 numbered fields for holograms. For renewal of the document every semester, this usually suffices for six years, unless there are additional circumstances requiring the replacement of the stickers.
You should contact the dean's office and determine the procedure for issuing a new ELS. The university may require you to złsubmit a new application, return the current card, and pay the appropriate fee.
It depends on the university’s policies. The University of Warsaw provides for the issuance of a new original ELS for 22 zł for the indicated years in such a situation. Other universities may treat such an exchange as the issuance of a duplicate for 33 zł.
This should not be done. Official stickers are placed in the subsequent fields designed for this purpose. After they are filled in, you should contact the university to exchange the document.
No. Removing official holograms can damage the security features of the ID card, and in some universities it is grounds for its invalidation.
No. Filling out the fields on the ELS does not affect the student's status itself. However, it may prevent subsequent proper renewal of the physical card.
Not always. The ID card is a standalone document and may be sufficient to confirm student status. However, a plastic ELS may be required for additional university services, such as access to buildings or handling of city tickets.
Yes. The new design of the plastic ELS still provides for hologram fields. The change in the document design does not mean giving up this form of confirmation of the physical validity of the card.
If you have any questions about our products or need help choosing the right solution, please contact us. We are at your disposal by phone, email, and via the contact form.
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.
