Changes in immigration regulations
Starting from 1 January 2026, new rules apply to the process of obtaining a PESEL number and completing address registration (meldunek) for foreigners in Poland.
If the person applying for a PESEL number is a foreigner who is not:
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a citizen of an EU Member State, an EFTA country, or the Swiss Confederation, nor a family member of such a person, or
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a citizen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland who exercised the right of residence in Poland before 31 December 2020, and still resides in Poland (or a family member residing with them, subject to certain exceptions),
- personal appearance at the municipal office is required to obtain a PESEL number. Only children born in Poland are exempt from this requirement.
The same obligation of personal appearance applies to completing address registration (meldunek) for the above-mentioned foreigners - if they do not already have a PESEL number.
source of change:
effective from: 1 January 2026
From 1 August 2025, new stamp duty rates apply in proceedings concerning Polish citizenship. These rates apply to cases initiated on or after that date, while proceedings started earlier remain subject to the previous fees.
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| Granting Polish citizenship by the President of the Republic of Poland | No fee | 1669 PLN |
| Recognition as a Polish citizen or restoration of Polish citizenship | 219 PLN | 1000 PLN |
| Confirmation of possession or loss of Polish citizenship | 58 PLN | 277 PLN |
| Renunciation of Polish citizenship | No fee | 1669 PLN |
According to the new regulations, exemption from stamp duties applies in cases of recognizing minor children as Polish citizens under Article 30(1)(4) or (5) of the Act of 2 April 2009 on Polish citizenship, acquisition of Polish citizenship through repatriation and recognition as a repatriate, as well as in cases of confirming possession of Polish citizenship acquired in this manner.
source of change:
effective from: 1 August 2025
On 1 August 2025, the deadline for issuing decisions in matters concerning Polish citizenship handled by provincial governors and the Minister of the Interior was extended. The new deadline is six months from the date the application is received by the competent authority. Previously, this period was between one and two months from the initiation of proceedings. However, in practice, these deadlines were not always met.
The change in the deadline does not apply to citizenship matters considered by the President of the Republic of Poland, which will continue to be handled under the same rules. In other cases, the new deadline applies both to proceedings initiated from 1 August 2025, and to proceedings that were initiated but not concluded before that date.
source of change:
effective from: 1 August 2025
The introduced phasing out of the Ukrainian Special Act provides for referring, as regards the duration of temporary protection for Ukrainian citizens, to the relevant decision of the Council of the European Union establishing the existence of a mass influx of displaced persons. According to its current wording, this protection (including, inter alia, the right to legal stay) applies until 4 March 2027.
A direct reference to EU legislation has eliminated the existing duality of protection periods (EU-level and national) and has ensured that the Polish authorities will no longer be required to determine a new period of validity each time the protection is extended.
Discussions are currently ongoing at the EU level regarding a further extension of temporary protection. A decision on this matter is expected to be taken in September 2026. Consideration is also being given to excluding military-age male Ukrainian nationals from the personal scope of temporary protection.
source of change:
effective from: 5 March 2026
From 4 May 2026, most holders of UKR status (beneficiaries of temporary protection) may, via the new MOS 2.0 portal, apply for residence cards (referred to as CUKR residence cards), which, upon issuance, will result in the conversion of UKR status into a temporary residence permit granted for the period of validity of the residence card (three years from the date of its issuance).
Applications for a CUKR residence card submitted in any other manner will not be considered. The application must be lodged in person by the foreign national and cannot be submitted by a proxy.
Obtaining a CUKR residence card is possible upon meeting all of the following conditions:
- Holding UKR status on 4 June 2025 (a new date introduced by one of the amendments to the special act for Ukrainians, replacing the previous date of 4 March 2024),
- Holding UKR status on the date of submitting the application for a CUKR residence card,
- Having held UKR status continuously for at least 365 days.
This new solution is also be available to minor children born in Poland, provided that on the date of submitting the application for the residence card they hold UKR status, and residence cards have already been issued to their mothers under this procedure.
The CUKR residence card procedure is fully electronic, simplified, and limited to the minimum formal requirements. The proceedings should be completed within 180 days from the date of application. The applicant’s visit to the office will only be required at the final stage, to collect the residence card.
Submitting an application for a CUKR residence card ensures the legality of stay in Poland until the card is issued or until the decision refusing or discontinuing the proceedings becomes final (i.e., also after the potential expiry of UKR status on 4 March 2027).
Upon issuance of the residence card, the UKR status will expire. However, the Ukrainian citizen will then be entitled to work freely and to conduct business activity in Poland under the same rules as Polish citizens.
sources of change:
- Act of 15 May 2024 amending the Act on Assistance to Citizens of Ukraine in Connection with the Armed Conflict on the Territory of That State and Certain Other Acts
- Act of 12 September 2025 amending certain laws to verify the entitlement to family benefits for foreigners and on the conditions of assistance to Ukrainian citizens in connection with the armed conflict on the territory of that state
- Act of 23 January 2026 on the Phase-Out of Measures Arising from the Act on Assistance to Ukrainian Citizens in Connection with the Armed Conflict on the Territory of Ukraine and on Amendments to Certain Other Acts
- Communication of the Minister of the Interior and Administration of 10 April 2026 on the determination of the date of implementation of technical solutions enabling the application of Article 4(13d) and Articles 42c–42w of the Act of 12 March 2022 on Assistance to Ukrainian Citizens in Connection with the Armed Conflict on the Territory of That State, as well as Article 8(24a)(c) and (e) of the Act of 24 September 2010 on Population Records
effective from: 4 May 2026
In accordance with the introduced changes to the so-called Special Act, Ukrainian citizens not covered by temporary protection, whose national visa (D), temporary residence permit, Schengen visa (C), visa or residence document issued by another Schengen country, or visa-free stay expired after 24 February 2022, during their stay in Poland (in the case of a temporary residence permit – also during their stay outside Poland), benefit from an extension of their stay in Poland until 4 March 2027.
However, this does not automatically mean the right to cross the border or the right to travel to other Schengen area states. Each such case should be evaluated individually.
source of change:
effective from: 5 March 2026
Apart from the so-called CUKR residence card, persons holding UKR status (beneficiaries of temporary protection) may apply for the following types of temporary residence permits:
- Single Permit,
- Temporary residence permit for the purpose of performing work in a profession requiring high qualifications (EU Blue Card),
- Temporary residence permit for the purpose of conducting business activity,
- Temporary residence permit for a family member of a Polish citizen,
- Temporary residence permit for the purpose of family reunification.
For UKR status holders, a simplified procedure applies – the application may be submitted without appearing in person at the Immigration Office, provided that fingerprints were previously collected when the PESEL number was issued.
sources of change:
- Act of 13 January 2023 amending the Act on Assistance to Citizens of Ukraine in Connection with the Armed Conflict on the Territory of That State and Certain Other Acts
effective from: 1 April 2023
- Act of 15 May 2024 amending the Act on Assistance to Citizens of Ukraine in Connection with the Armed Conflict on the Territory of That State and Certain Other Acts
effective from: 1 July 2024
IMPORTANT NOTICE!
The introduced phasing out of the Ukrainian Special Act does not provide for an extension of the possibility to grant Ukrainian citizens temporary residence permits under the protective regime for a period of one year. This means that Ukrainian citizens (regardless of whether they hold UKR status) who do not meet the statutory requirements for obtaining a temporary residence permit (e.g. the income criterion) will, as of 5 March 2026, receive refusal decisions instead of permits granted under the protective regime.
source of change:
The introduced law on the phasing out of the Ukrainian Special Act provides for the elimination of the previous rule, under which a Ukrainian citizen did not lose their protection status if they left Poland for more than 30 days due to being seconded by a Polish employer.
Currently, the protection status will be lost unconditionally for any absence exceeding this period, regardless of the reason.
source of change:
effective from: 5 March 2026
Two groups of foreigners who do not hold Ukrainian citizenship have been added to the catalogue of persons covered by Poland’s Ukrainian Special Act:
- Minor children of citizens of Ukraine
- Minor children of spouses of citizens of Ukraine.
These minors may benefit from the solutions provided under the Special Act as well as certain other legal acts (such as lawful residence in Poland until 4 March 2027 or the possibility of obtaining a temporary residence permit for the purpose of family reunification).
The introduced phase-out of the Ukrainian Special Act provides for a redefinition of the personal scope of beneficiaries of temporary protection through a direct reference to EU provisions. These provisions also cover the aforementioned groups of children. Consequently, despite the legislative changes, their residence status in Poland has been maintained.
sources of change:
- Act of 23 January 2026 on the Phase-Out of Measures Arising from the Act on Assistance to Ukrainian Citizens in Connection with the Armed Conflict on the Territory of Ukraine and on Amendments to Certain Other Acts
- Act of 15 May 2024 Amending the Act on Assistance to Citizens of Ukraine in Connection with the Armed Conflict in Ukraine and Certain Other Acts
effective from: 1 July 2024
If a male Ukrainian citizen aged 18–60, who is subject to compulsory military service, wishes to use a consular service (e.g., obtain a passport) at a Ukrainian diplomatic mission, he must present a military registration document in electronic form (e-VOD) generated no earlier than 3 days before submitting the application for the selected consular service.
Three exceptions are provided to the requirement to present a military document:
- when submitting an application for a certificate for return to Ukraine,
- when the consular service is performed in the interest of a child whose other parent is a foreign national or stateless person,
- If the applicant is in detention or serving a prison sentence.
source of change:
- Ukrainian Act of 11 April 11 2024 on amendments to certain legislative acts of Ukraine concerning certain issues of military service, mobilization, and military registration, No. 3633-IX (rada.gov.ua)
- Statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine mfa.gov.ua
effective from: 18 May 2024
With regard to newly displaced persons from Ukraine, the introduced act phasing out the Ukrainian Special Act provides for the reinstatement of a 30-day time limit for obtaining a PESEL number with the "UKR" annotation. Previously, the provisions required this formality to be completed immediately upon arrival in Poland, although in the past a 30-day time limit applied.
Importantly, under the new provisions, temporary protection expires if a Ukrainian citizen fails to meet the new deadline. This solution raises serious concerns in the context of EU law.
source of change:
effective from: 5 March 2026
The verification of identity for a Ukrainian citizen when issuing a PESEL number with the annotation “UKR” has been made dependent on possessing a valid travel document (passport). Prior to 1 July 2024, identity could also be verified using a Pole`s Card or another photo ID enabling identity confirmation, and for persons under 18 years of age, a birth certificate was also acceptable.
If a PESEL number with the "UKR" annotation was issued on the basis of a Pole’s Card, another photo identification document enabling identity verification, a birth certificate, or if the travel document expired after the PESEL number was issued, the holder of UKR status is required to confirm their identity at any municipal office on the basis of a valid travel document within 60 days from the date of its issuance.
On 5 March 2026, a new obligation was also introduced: persons who were granted temporary protection and assigned a PESEL UKR number on the basis of a declaration are required to confirm their identity at any municipal office using a valid travel document no later than 31 August 2026. Failure to comply with this obligation will result in the loss of temporary protection.
sources of change:
effective from: 1 July 2024
effective from: 5 March 2026
The introduced phase-out of the Ukrainian Special Act provides that employment on the basis of notifications to the labour office (PUP) is possible exclusively for beneficiaries of temporary protection.
For other Ukrainian nationals legally residing in Poland, employment based on such notifications will be permitted only during a three-year transitional period. This solution responds to the demands of employers, as the original version envisaged a complete exclusion of this group from the notification-based employment mechanism.
source of change:
effective from: 5 March 2026
An entity entrusting a job to a citizen of Ukraine now has 7 days (instead of the previous 14 days) from the date the work begins to submit a notification to the relevant district labor office (in Polish: "powiatowy urząd pracy") via the praca.gov.pl website.
source of change:
effective from: 1 July 2024
effective from: 5 March 2026
An entity entrusting a job to a citizen of Ukraine has to indicate in the notification at least the minimum wage (or pro rata reduction in the case of lesser working hours) or the minimum hourly rate. In 2026, the amounts are PLN 4,806 gross per month for full-time work or PLN 31.40 gross per hour.
source of change:
effective from: 12 March 2022
effective from: 1 January 2026
An obligation has been formally introduced for the employer to submit a re-notification on hiring a citizen of Ukraine within 7 days of a:
- Change in the type of contract (e.g. from an employment contract to a service contract or vice versa; this still does not apply, for example, to a change from a temporary employment contract to a permanent employment contract)
- Change of position or type of work performed
- Reduction in working hours or number of working hours per week or month
- Reduction in the monthly or hourly wage
source of change:
effective from: 5 March 2026
Before 5 March 2026, Ukrainian nationals were required to inform their employer of the issuance of a decision granting a temporary residence and work permit (Single Permit) within 7 days of receiving such a decision.
Employers, in turn, were required to submit a notification on the employment of a Ukrainian national to the competent district labour office within 7 days of receiving such information from the employee.
This obligation did not, however, apply to the employer if the notification had already been submitted earlier and the terms of employment had not changed, or where the residence decision did not require such notification to be submitted.
Important notice! The Act on the phase-out of the Ukrainian Special Act has repealed the above obligations. As of 5 March 2026, they no longer apply.
source of change:
effective from: 5 March 2026
Pursuant to the provisions in force as of 1 December 2025, full-time students undertaking studies in Poland at higher education institutions are exempt from the requirement to hold a work permit if the institutions are:
- approved by the minister responsible for internal affairs for the purposes of admitting foreigners to commence or continue studies (link to the list), or
- not subject to an approval requirement (e.g. public academic universities, military academies, or state service universities), in respect of which no decision prohibiting the admission of foreigners has been issued.
Students attending institutions that do not meet the new requirements, who commenced employment before 1 December 2025, were allowed to continue working until 1 June 2026, while not being permitted to take up new employment.
In addition, students of Polish non-public academic universities or public vocational universities that have not been approved by the minister could benefit from the exemption from the obligation to hold a work permit, including the possibility of taking up new employment, until 30 June 2026.
The above transitional periods were introduced by the legislator in order to allow employers sufficient time to obtain work permits or declarations on entrusting work for students performing work who do not meet the new requirements.
effective from: 1 December 2025
From 1 December 2025, new stamp duty rates will apply in proceedings concerning obtaining a work permit for a foreigner. They apply to cases initiated from that date, while cases started earlier will be subject to the previous fees.
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| Work permit for a period not exceeding 3 months | 50 PLN | 200 PLN |
| Work permit for a period exceeding 3 months | 100 PLN | 400 PLN |
| Work permit for a posted worker | 200 PLN | 800 PLN |
| Seasonal work permit | 30 PLN | 100 PLN |
source of change:
effective from: 1 December 2025
From 1 August 2025, employers entrusting work to foreign nationals based on a work permit are required to submit a copy of the contract concluded with the foreign national to the Immigration Office that issued the permit — before the foreign national begins work.
In the case of assigning work under a seasonal harvest assistance agreement, a copy of the contract must be submitted within 7 days from the date the work is assigned.
The submitted document must be an electronic copy of the contract, prepared in Polish and signed by both parties. It should be sent via the praca.gov.pl portal.
Failure to comply with this obligation may result in a fine of 1,000 to 3,000 PLN and may also be a basis for revoking the work permit or refusing to issue further permits.
source of change:
effective date: 1 August 2025
The changes in the regulations that came into force on 1 June 2025, stipulate that applications for a work permit can be submitted exclusively electronically – via a dedicated IT system, using a qualified electronic signature, a trusted signature, or a personal signature.
Full digitization will, however, take place after the IT systems are adapted to the new regulations, which is expected to happen within 2 years of their entry into force. The Minister responsible for labor will announce the implementation of these solutions 30 days in advance by publishing a special notice.
Currently, applications can still be submitted traditionally, but in practice, use of the praca.gov.pl portal is recommended.
source of change:
effective from: the moment the IT systems are adapted to the new regulations
For proceedings initiated from 1 June 2025, the “labour market test” (i.e., the obligation to obtain information from the district governor regarding labour market conditions) has been abolished as part of the procedure for issuing a work permit and certain other related proceedings.
The “labor market test” has been replaced by the publication by the relevant district governors of lists of occupations in which employment should be restricted.
source of change:
effective date: 1 June 2025
From 1 June 2025, the list of cases in which the issuance of a work permit must be mandatorily refused (including seasonal work permits) has been expanded, in particular to include the following situations:
- the entity entrusting work to a foreigner does not conduct any business activity that would justify employing the foreigner,
- the entity entrusting work to a foreigner was established or operates for the purpose of facilitating foreigners’ entry into the territory of Poland,
- the starting date of work indicated by the entity entrusting work to a foreigner falls later than 12 months from the date of submitting the application for a work permit,
- within 2 years prior to submitting the application for a work permit, a foreigner who held a work permit or a declaration on entrusting work and entered Poland for the purpose of employment did not perform that work, unless the failure to perform work was due to justified reasons,
- within 24 months prior to submitting the application, the entity entrusting work to a foreigner obstructed or hindered an inspection regarding the legality of employment of foreigners.
The new provisions also clarify how the provincial governor may assess the occurrence of the first of the above-mentioned circumstances. For this purpose, the they may take into account, among other things:
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the ratio of the number of notifications about foreigners not commencing work to the total number of work permits and declarations on entrusting work obtained by the given entity, and
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the ratio of the number of applications for work permits or declarations on entrusting work to the total number of employees employed by that entity.
source of change: Act on Foreigners’ Access to the Labour Market
effective date: 1 June 2025
From 1 June 2025, the periods of non-commencement or non-performance of work by a foreigner, which trigger the employer’s obligation to notify the provincial governor within 7 days have been shortened. Under the new regulations, an entity assigning work to a foreigner under a work permit is required to notify the provincial governor within 7 days of the following cases:
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The foreigner does not commence work within 2 months (previously 3 months) from the initial validity date of the permit,
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The foreigner interrupts work for a period exceeding 2 months (previously 3 months),
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The foreigner terminates work earlier than 2 months (previously 3 months) before the expiration of the permit.
source of change: Act on Foreigners’ Access to the Labour Market
effective date: 1 June 2025
From 1 June 2025, the list of persons exempt from the obligation to hold a work permit has been expanded to include graduates of part-time higher education programs at Polish universities.
Previously, this exemption applied only to graduates of full-time programs.
source of change: Act on Foreigners’ Access to the Labour Market
effective date: 1 June 2025
The new act regulating the employment of foreigners introduced provisions establishing rules of priority in the processing of work permit applications. According to these rules, the voivode considers applications in the following order:
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Applications submitted by entities included in the list of entrepreneurs conducting economic activities in Poland that are of significant importance to the national economy (the list is maintained in an electronic system by the minister responsible for economic affairs),
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Applications for the renewal of a work permit for the same employer and the same foreign worker, provided that the working hours and remuneration are not lower than those specified in the previously issued work permit that remains valid on the date the new application is submitted,
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Applications concerning foreigners who are to perform work in occupations experiencing labor shortages, as specified in a list maintained by the minister responsible for labor,
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All other applications.
source of change: Act on Foreigners’ Access to the Labour Market
effective date: 1 June 2025
From 1 June 2025, new types of work permits apply.
| Previous types of permits | Types of permits after the changes |
| Work permit type A
| Work permit for a Polish entity assigning work to a foreigner |
| Work permit type B | Work permit related to performing a specific function |
| Work permit type C, D and E
| Work permit related to the posting of a foreigner by a foreign entity to the territory of the Republic of Poland |
The seasonal work permit remains unchanged.
source of change: Act on Foreigners’ Access to the Labour Market
effective date: 1 June 2025
The amendment to the regulations on the employment of foreigners introduced additional restrictions for employers. In proceedings initiated from 1 June 2025, in order to obtain a work permit for a foreigner, the employer must declare working hours of no less than one-quarter of full-time and no more than full-time.
source of change: Act on Foreigners’ Access to the Labour Market
effective date: 1 June 2025
The amended regulations on the employment of foreigners impose a number of new immigration-related obligations on employers. Below is a list of the most important ones, including those introduced by the new act:
| Stage | Obligations for employers |
| Before employment |
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| During employment |
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| After termination of employment |
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source of change: Act on Foreigners’ Access to the Labour Market
effective date: 1 June 2025
In proceedings initiated from 1 June 2025, work permits will be issued for a period of up to 1 year in cases where:
- The application is submitted by a newly established Polish entity, i.e., operating for no longer than one year;
- The entity assigns work to a foreigner on a half-time basis or less.
source of change: Act on Foreigners’ Access to the Labour Market
effective date: 1 June 2025
From 1 June 2025, employers cannot apply for an extension of a work permit, as this mechanism has been abolished by the new regulations. The only available option is to submit a new application for the issuance of a subsequent work permit.
source of change: Act on Foreigners’ Access to the Labour Market
effective date: 1 June 2025
From 1 December 2025, Polish employers may register a declaration on entrusting work to a foreigner in the register of statements only for citizens of:
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the Republic of Armenia,
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the Republic of Belarus,
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the Republic of Moldova,
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Ukraine.
The Republic of Georgia has been removed from this list. Georgian citizens who were entrusted with work based on a Declaration before 1 December 2025, may continue to work under the conditions specified in that Declaration until it expires.
source of change:
effective from: 1 December 2025
From 1 December 2025, a new stamp duty rate applies for the entry of a declaration on entrusting work to a foreigner into the register of statements – 400 PLN instead of the previous 100 PLN.
This rate applies to cases initiated from that date, while in proceedings started earlier, the previous fee continues to apply.
source of change:
effective from: 1 December 2025
From 1 July 2025, employers assigning work to foreign nationals based on a declaration on entrusting work are required to submit a copy of the contract concluded with the foreign national to the authority that registered the statement — before the foreign national begins work.
The submitted document must be an electronic copy of the contract, prepared in Polish and signed by both parties. It should be sent via the praca.gov.pl portal.
Failure to comply with this obligation may result in a fine of 1,000 to 3,000 PLN.
source of change:
effective date: 1 July 2025
As of 1 June 2025, the list of cases requiring mandatory refusal to register a declaration on entrusting work to a foreigner in the register of declarations has been expanded, in particular to include the following situations:
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the entity entrusting work to a foreigner does not conduct business activity justifying the need to employ the foreigner,
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the entity entrusting work to a foreigner has been established or operates for the purpose of facilitating foreigners’ entry into the territory of Poland,
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within 2 years prior to submitting the declaration, a foreigner who held a work permit or a declaration on entrusting work and entered Poland to perform work did not actually perform that work, unless the failure to work resulted from justified reasons,
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within 24 months prior to submitting the application, the entity entrusting work to a foreigner obstructed or hindered an inspection concerning the legality of employment of foreigners.
The new regulations also specify how the authorities may assess whether the first of the above circumstances applies. For this purpose, they may take into account, among other things:
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the ratio of notifications about foreigners not commencing work to the total number of work permits and declarations on entrusting work obtained by the entity, and
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the ratio of applications for work permits or declarations on entrusting work to the total number of persons employed by that entity
source of change: Act on Foreigners’ Access to the Labour Market
effective date: 1 June 2025
Since 1 June 2025, stricter penalties have applied to employers who violate the rules on employing foreigners. Fines are now proportional to the number of foreigners involved in the infringement and amount, for example, to:
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Not less than PLN 3,000 for each illegally employed foreigner,
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Not less than PLN 6,000 for each foreigner who was misled, exploited, or induced to work illegally due to dependency, misunderstanding, or abuse of authority,
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Not less than PLN 6,000 for each foreigner if the employer demanded a financial benefit in exchange for actions leading to the issuance of a work permit or another document authorizing employment.
At the same time, the maximum fine for each of the above violations, regardless of their number, may reach PLN 50,000 per violation.
source of change: Act on Foreigners’ Access to the Labour Market
effective date: 1 June 2025
ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) is a travel authorisation that will be required from nationals of third countries exempt from visa requirements (those travelling visa-free) before entering any of the 30 European countries. The ETIAS authorisation will be valid for up to three years or until the traveller’s passport expires - whichever comes first.
Foreign nationals will be able to obtain ETIAS via a dedicated mobile app or website made available by the European Union. The application will be subject to a fixed fee of EUR 20.
In principle, the ETIAS application process should take only a few minutes. However, the processing time may be extended to up to 14 days if additional documents are requested, or up to 30 days if the applicant is asked to provide explanations.
planned date of entry into force: fourth quarter of 2026
The Entry/Exit System (EES) is an automated IT system designed to register non-EU nationals travelling to the European Union for short-term stays (up to 90 days within any 180-day period). The EES applies to both visa-required travellers and those entering under visa-free arrangements. The system also records entry refusals.
The EES was implemented gradually. As of 10 April 2026, the system operates in full scope, fully replacing passport stamping for foreign nationals and automating border control procedures.
effective date: 12 October 2025 (with a 6-month implementation period ended on 10 April 2026)
The amendment to the regulations on the employment of foreigners introduced rules on priority in processing visa applications. Under the new provisions, consuls will process applications giving priority to foreigners who intend to work:
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for employers listed in the register of enterprises conducting business activity of significant importance to the national economy in Poland, or
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in occupations experiencing labour shortages.
source of change: Act on Foreigners’ Access to the Labour Market
effective date: 1 June 2025
As of 1 June 2025, a new measure has been introduced allowing consuls to set visa appointment dates.
At the consul’s request, the date for submitting an application for a national or Schengen visa may be arranged electronically with the foreign national, using means of communication that ensure the applicant’s identification and, if necessary, allow for real-time communication (e.g. via videoconference).
For minors or persons legally incapacitated, the appointment must be arranged with their legal representative.
source of change: Act amending certain laws to eliminate irregularities in the visa system of the Republic of Poland
effective date: 1 June 2025
As part of efforts to eliminate irregularities in Poland’s visa system, the Minister of Foreign Affairs and consuls have been granted the authority to obtain data from the Border Guard’s teleinformation system concerning the border crossings of foreign nationals.
The data may be accessed only to the extent necessary for conducting proceedings related to the issuance, revocation, or annulment of a visa.
Access to the system is conditional upon compliance by both the system and authorized entities with specific technical and organizational requirements, particularly those ensuring the confidentiality, integrity, availability, and authenticity of the data.
Similarly, the Minister and consuls have also been granted access to other systems containing information, in particular regarding taxes, social security contributions, and the status of a student or doctoral candidate.
source of change: Act amending certain laws to eliminate irregularities in the visa system of the Republic of Poland
effective date: 1 June 2025
As of 1 July 2025, new rules have been introduced regarding the admission of foreigners to studies in Poland. The new regulations require applicants to meet, in particular, the following additional conditions:
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submission (with certain exceptions) of a document issued by the Director of NAWA confirming education obtained abroad,
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proof of language proficiency in the language of instruction at a level of at least B2,
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participation in an entrance examination or admission interview (this requirement does not apply to applicants for second-cycle (master’s) studies).
source of change: Act amending certain laws to eliminate irregularities in the visa system of the Republic of Poland
effective date: 1 July 2025
As part of measures aimed at eliminating irregularities in the visa system, several new mechanisms have been introduced to enhance oversight of foreigners enrolling in studies in Poland. These include:
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Expansion of the Integrated System of Information on Higher Education and Science (POL-on) to include a register of foreigners admitted to studies or doctoral schools. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and consuls have been granted access to this register for the purpose of conducting proceedings related to the issuance, revocation, or annulment of national visas issued for the purpose of undertaking higher education (first-cycle, second-cycle, long-cycle master’s studies) or doctoral training, marked with the annotation “student”;
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Obligation of higher education institutions to immediately notify the authority that issued the national visa for the purpose of studies (annotated “student”) in the event that a foreigner is removed from the list of students or doctoral candidates.
Such notification may, under Article 90(1a)(1) of the Act on Foreigners, lead to the revocation of the visa, depending on the circumstances of the specific case.
source of change: Act amending certain laws to eliminate irregularities in the visa system of the Republic of Poland
effective date: 1 June 2025 for point 1, 1 July 2025 for point 2
As of 27 April 2026, applications submitted by foreign nationals for the following permits may be filed exclusively in electronic form via the new MOS 2.0 (Moduł Obsługi Spraw 2.0) portal:
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temporary residence permit,
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permanent residence permit,
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long-term EU resident permit.
In such cases, the foreign national is required to sign the application using a Trusted Profile (Profil Zaufany) or a qualified electronic signature.
In addition, in certain situations, an attachment to the application must be electronically signed by a third party - the employer, educational institution, or internship provider - via a link sent to the designated email address. Without the signed attachment, the foreign national will not be able to submit the application.
Applications for a residence permit submitted by any means other than through the MOS portal will not be considered. The application must be lodged in person by the foreign national and cannot be submitted by a proxy.
The applicant will remain obliged to appear in person at the relevant authority's office (upon being summoned) in order to provide fingerprints and a specimen signature, as well as to present a valid travel document.
Following such an appointment, instead of receiving a stamp in their passport, the foreign national will be issued with a certificate confirming the proper submission of the application and the legality of their stay while awaiting the decision.
sources of change:
- Act of 21 November 2025 amending the Act on Foreign Nationals and certain other acts
- Communication of the Minister of the Interior and Administration of 10 April 2026 determining the date of implementation of technical solutions enabling the application of the provisions referred to in Article 17(1) of the Act of 21 November 2025 amending the Act on Foreign Nationals and certain other acts
effective from: 27 April 2026
As of 1 June 2025, the requirement to conduct a labour market test and attach the information from the county administrator to an application for a temporary residence and work permit (the so-called Single Permit) has been abolished.
In place of the labour market test, a new restriction has been introduced - a list of “protected” occupations created by individual county administrators. If a foreigner intends to work in an occupation included on such a list, they will be unable to obtain a Single Permit.
These lists are intended to reflect the conditions of local labour markets and may therefore limit the possibility for foreigners to take up certain jobs within a given district.
source of change: Act on Foreigners’ Access to the Labour Market
effective date: 1 June 2025
According to the new regulations, as of 1 June 2025, a new basis has been introduced for refusing to initiate proceedings for granting a temporary residence and work permit (Single Permit) in the case of applications submitted from that date.
The refusal applies if the foreigner is staying in Poland on the basis of:
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a Polish national visa or Schengen visa issued for purposes marked “01”, “02”, “03”, “07”, “09”, “10”, “11”, “14”, “16”, or for the purpose of transit or air transit,
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a long-term visa issued by another Schengen state (with certain exceptions),
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a residence document issued by another Schengen state allowing legal stay in its territory (unless the applicant benefits from mobility in Poland based on that document),
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an entry permit to the territory of the Republic of Poland issued by the Commander of a Border Guard post.
source of change: Act amending certain acts to eliminate irregularities in the visa system of the Republic of Poland
effective date: 1 June 2025
According to the new regulations, the province governor is obliged to refuse to grant a temporary residence and work permit (single permit) if the entity entrusting work to a foreigner, or the entity managing or controlling it, meets at least one of the following new conditions:
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is a natural person who has been legally convicted of human trafficking in Poland or another country, or
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fails to fulfil the obligation to pay contributions to social insurance, health insurance, the Labour Fund, the Guaranteed Employee Benefits Fund, the Bridging Pensions Fund, or the Solidarity Fund, or to pay social insurance contributions for farmers — except in cases where a legally permitted deferral or instalment plan has been granted, or when the amount of the unpaid contribution does not exceed the cost of a reminder in enforcement proceedings, or
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fails to fulfil the obligation to register employees or other persons covered by mandatory social insurance, or
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is in arrears with payment of personal income tax or corporate income tax — except in cases where the entity has been granted a lawful exemption, deferral, instalment plan, or full suspension of the execution of the decision of the competent authority, or
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does not conduct business activity justifying the employment of the given foreigner during the relevant period, or
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has been established or operates primarily for the purpose of facilitating foreigners’ entry into the territory of the Republic of Poland, or
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is not a temporary employment agency operating in Poland in accordance with applicable laws, while the work would be performed for the benefit of a third party.
source of change: Act on Foreigners’ Access to the Labour Market
effective date: 1 June 2025
As of 1 June 2025, employers hiring foreigners based on a temporary residence and work permit (Single Permit) are required to notify the authority that issued the permit of the following circumstances within 15 business days of their occurrence:
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change of the registered office or place of residence, name, or legal form of:
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the employer, or
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the user employer;
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transfer of the workplace or part thereof to another employer;
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increase in working hours specified in the permit, provided that remuneration is increased proportionally;
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change in the job title without changing the foreigner’s scope of duties;
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replacement of a civil law contract with an employment contract.
Additionally, the employer indicated in the temporary residence and work permit must notify in writing the authority that issued the permit within 15 calendar days of the foreigner losing their job with that employer.
source of change: Act on Foreigners’ Access to the Labour Market
effective date: 1 June 2025
The regulations aimed at eliminating irregularities in the visa system introduced a restriction on the list of documents confirming knowledge of the Polish language for the purpose of applying for an EU long-term resident permit. The following documents have been removed from the existing list:
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a certificate of completion of a post-secondary school in Poland with Polish as the language of instruction, and
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a certificate of completion of a post-secondary equivalent school abroad with Polish as the language of instruction.
The new restrictions generally apply to proceedings initiated from 1 July 2025, although certificates issued before this date will be accepted until 30 June 2026.
source of change: Act amending certain acts to eliminate irregularities in the visa system of the Republic of Poland
effective date: 1 July 2025
For applications for an EU Blue Card submitted from 1 June 2025, it is required to attach a contract between the employer and the foreign national for a period of at least 6 months.
This period has been reduced by half — previously, a contract for a minimum of 12 months was required.
source of change: Act amending the Act on Foreigners and certain other acts
effective date: 1 June 2025
As of 1 June 2025, seasonal workers and individuals who have been granted subsidiary protection or refugee status in Poland may apply for an EU Blue Card. Previously, holding any of these statuses constituted a mandatory ground for refusing to initiate proceedings for the issuance of the Blue Card.
source of change: Act amending the Act on Foreigners and certain other acts
effective date: 1 June 2025
Holders of the EU Blue Card, both those issued before and after 1 June 2025 (the date of changes in regulations), have gained the right to undertake supplementary (i.e., in addition to employment, which is the basis for permit issuance) business activity in Poland on the same terms as Polish citizens. Previously, foreigners holding an EU Blue Card had to obtain a separate permit in order to conduct business activity.
source of change: Act amending the Act on Foreigners and certain other acts
effective date: 1 June 2025
Starting from 1 June 2025, decisions granting an EU Blue Card no longer include the details of a specific employer, job position, or employment conditions.
The new decisions indicate only the validity period of the permit and confirm that the foreign national may perform work in a highly qualified occupation for a specified minimum salary.
As a result, from the first day of validity of the EU Blue Card, it becomes possible to freely change the employer, position, or other employment conditions (including working hours).
For comparison — holders of EU Blue Cards issued before 1 June 2025, gain this right only after two years of residence in Poland based on that permit.
source of change: Act amending the Act on Foreigners and certain other acts
effective date: 1 June 2025
Holders of EU Blue Cards issued on or after 1 June 2025, under the new regulations, have different notification obligations than those who obtained their permits before that date.
They are required to notify the province governor who issued the permit within 15 working days of the occurrence of any of the following circumstances:
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change of the employer,
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cessation of meeting the conditions for granting the permit,
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commencement of long-term mobility in another EU country.
Failure to notify the province governor of the circumstances listed in points 1 and 2 may result in the revocation of the EU Blue Card.
source of change: Act amending the Act on Foreigners and certain other acts
effective date: 1 June 2025
As of 1 June 2025, new rules apply regarding the period during which a foreign national who has lost their job may look for new employment in Poland before their EU Blue Card may be revoked. These changes apply to all valid EU Blue Cards, regardless of when they were issued.
For permits valid for less than two years, the EU Blue Card may still be revoked after three months of unemployment, as before. However, holders of Blue Cards valid for more than two years now benefit from an extended period — they may look for new employment for up to six months from the date they lost their previous job.
source of change: Act amending the Act on Foreigners and certain other acts
effective date: 1 June 2025
As of 1 June 2025, a new type of temporary residence permit has been introduced to enhance the mobility of EU Blue Card holders. This permit allows a foreign national holding an EU Blue Card issued by another EU Member State to work in Poland in a highly qualified profession.
The right to work in Poland applies immediately upon submitting the application for this permit. A foreign national may obtain it if they cumulatively:
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hold an EU Blue Card issued by another EU Member State,
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have concluded an employment or civil law contract for a period of at least 6 months,
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have health insurance coverage in Poland, and
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receive a salary in Poland at the level required for those applying for an EU Blue Card in Poland.
Under the new permit, family members of a foreign national residing in Poland may also apply for a temporary residence permit for the purpose of family reunification.
source of change: Act amending the Act on Foreigners and certain other acts
effective date: 1 June 2025
The Minister of Interior and Administration has issued an announcement containing a list of professions whose performance allows for faster recognition of a foreigner’s higher professional qualifications.
Such recognition is possible if a foreigner has at least three years of experience in a profession included in the list, obtained within no more than seven years before submitting an application for:
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a temporary residence permit for the purpose of employment in a profession requiring high qualifications (EU Blue Card), or
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a temporary residence permit for the purpose of long-term mobility of an EU Blue Card holder.
Foreigners meeting these conditions may apply for one of the above permits even before completing higher education studies or before obtaining the five years of professional experience normally required for professions not included in this list.
The list includes, among others, the following professions:
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Information and communications technology (ICT) managers (e.g., head of IT department),
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Computer systems analysts (e.g., ICT systems consultant),
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Software specialists (e.g., blockchain technology specialist),
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Web and multimedia application designers (e.g., web architect),
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Application programmers (e.g., mobile app developer),
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Computer systems analysts and programmers not elsewhere classified (e.g., medical IT specialist, software tester),
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Database and network specialists (e.g., database designer)
sources of change:
effective date: 1 June 2025
effective date: 6 June 2025
As of 1 June 2025, the requirement to conduct a labour market test and to attach the information from the county administrator to an EU Blue Card application has been abolished.
In place of the labour market test, a new restriction has been introduced - a list of “protected” occupations created by individual county administrators. If a foreigner intends to work in an occupation included on such a list, as a rule they will be unable to obtain an EU Blue Card.
These lists are intended to reflect the conditions of local labour markets and may therefore limit the possibility for foreigners to take up certain jobs within a given district.
However, this restriction will not apply in the following cases:
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the foreigner, immediately before submitting the application, held a valid work permit, temporary residence and work permit, or EU Blue Card with the same employer and in the same position, or
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the foreigner has already been legally employed in Poland for at least 2 years on the basis of an EU Blue Card, or
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the foreigner meets the conditions for exemption from the obligation to hold a work permit as specified by other regulations.
source of change: Act on Foreigners’ Access to the Labour Market
effective date: 1 June 2025
As of 1 June 2025, the list of grounds for refusing to issue an EU Blue Card has been expanded to include, among others, cases where the employer entrusting work to a foreign national:
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has been established or operates primarily for the purpose of facilitating the entry of foreigners into the territory of the Republic of Poland,
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fails to fulfill the obligation to pay social security contributions,
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is in arrears with the payment of taxes, except in cases where they have been granted a lawful exemption, deferral, installment plan for overdue payments, or a suspension of the execution of the relevant authority’s decision in full, or
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does not conduct business activity or has been declared bankrupt.
source of change: Act on Foreigners’ Access to the Labour Market
effective date: 1 June 2025