Fuel Discounts Available to Seniors with Large Family Card
Qualifying seniors can access fuel and other discounts through Poland’s Large Family Card program.
Seniors in Poland who have raised at least three children can now benefit from discounts on fuel, recreation, and more through the Large Family Card program. These discounts are especially useful during the holiday season, when travel costs tend to increase.
Large Family Card: The Basics
The Large Family Card, managed by the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy (MRPiPS), provides discounts and additional benefits to families with three or more children in both public and private sectors. The program aims to support large families’ budgets by making goods and services more accessible.
Eligibility for Seniors
Eligibility extends to any member of a large family, defined as a family where parents have had at least three children, regardless of the children’s current age. The card is issued without considering income.
Eligible family members include parents (biological, substitute, or those who ran a family orphanage), a parentโs spouse, and children, including biological, foster, and those in family childrenโs homes. Applicants must be Polish citizens residing in Poland, foreigners with specific residence permits, or EU citizens with residence rights in Poland.
Importantly, the Large Family Card is also available to parents whose children are adults. Once authorized, parents can use the card for life unless there are reasons for revocation. Seniors who have raised at least three childrenโbiological, foster, or through a family children’s homeโare eligible, regardless of their age or income.
A parent is ineligible if parental rights were terminated or limited by court order, unless they have maintained at least three other children for whom parental rights were not limited.
Besides parents, children in large families (3+) are also eligible if they meet certain criteria:
- Under 18 years of age.
- Under 25 years of age, if attending school, with eligibility extended to September 30th following the school year’s end.
- Without age restrictions for children with moderate or significant disabilities.
How Seniors Can Obtain the Card
To get a Large Family Card, apply to the commune head, mayor, or city mayor relevant to your place of residence. Applications can be submitted in person or electronically via the EMP@tia information and service platform. The card is free, though a duplicate costs PLN 16.
The card issuance timeline varies based on the number of applications received. If at least 15 applications are submitted, cards are delivered within 30 days. Fewer applications may extend the wait to 60 days, plus the time for the office to process and issue the cards.
Duration of Card Validity
The Large Family Card is granted for:
- Parents and spouses (including seniors): indefinitely.
- Children up to 18 years: until they turn 18.
- Children over 18: until September 30 following the end of their schooling, but no later than age 25.
- Children with disabilities over 18: for the duration of their disability certificate.
- Children in foster care: during their placement.
- Individuals in foster families or children’s homes: until September 30 following the end of their schooling, but no later than age 25.
Fuel Discounts for Seniors
Large Family Cardholders can receive discounts on gasoline, diesel, and LPG at participating gas stations, including major chains:
- Orlen: Discounts on VERVA fuel and standard fuels.
- LOTOS: Discounts on Lotos Dynamic and standard fuels.
- Shell: Discounts on premium and basic fuels, plus LPG.
- Circle K: Discounts on premium and base fuels, plus LPG.
- Moya: Discounts on premium and standard fuels.
Numerous smaller stations also participate. For a detailed list of locations and discounts, visit the MRPiPS website. Itโs beneficial to check refueling points along your route for the best discounts.
Additional Benefits for Seniors
Beyond fuel discounts, Large Family Card holders can also enjoy:
- Discounts on Malopolska Railways.
- Discounts on LOT Polish Airlines flights.
- Reduced admission to sports, recreation, and cultural facilities.
- Savings on groceries.
For more details on available discounts, use the Large Family Card partners search engine.
These discounts can significantly alleviate financial strain. In 2023, approximately 3.7 million Poles were living below the subsistence minimum, highlighting the importance of such support programs (Statistics Poland).
Legal basis:
- Act of 5.12.2014 on a large family card (i.e. Journal of Laws of 2024, item 1512)
- Announcement of the Minister of the Family, Labor and Social Policy of 27.02.2025 on the amount fees for issuing a duplicate of a large family card and the amount of the commune’s costs related to the granting of this card and issuing its duplicate (MP of 2025, item 210)