From 1 June 2025 There are a number of significant changes in Polish migration law concerning the legalisation of the stay of foreigners, including their employment. The new provisions significantly affect regulations related to EU Blue CardHowever, they are not limited to it - significant amendments have also been made to the temporary residence permit or the procedures for notifying the Voivod about employment issues. Below, we discuss in detail the most important issues arising from these latest amendments, which aim to simplify processes and better integrate foreigners into the Polish labour market.
What's new in the EU Blue Card legislation from 1 June 2025?
Due to a new EU directive, which Poland implemented in national legislation as of 1 June, the deadlines and rules have been changed, among others. mobility of EU Blue Card holders. Above all, in order to provide greater flexibility in travel and work, the short- and long-term mobility of the holder of this document has been precisely defined.
Mobility of EU Blue Card holders: Short- and long-term
Short-term mobility is understood as the possibility to enter and stay, for a maximum period of 90 days in any 180-day period, on the territory of any Member State of the European Union in order to carry out a professional activity. This is a key facilitation for highly skilled workers, enabling free movement and supporting the EU labour market.
Long-term mobility, which promotes the long-term integration of foreigners, is subject to the requirement of prior legal residence in an EU Member State for at least 12 months on the basis of an EU Blue Card. After this period, the person has the possibility to move to another EU country and start working immediately after applying for a residence permit under this mobility. This significantly simplifies procedures and speeds up entry into the new labour market.
Simplification of the conditions for changing employer and the EU Blue Card form
The new Blue Card decision will no longer mention the performance of a specific job - it will only specify the validity period and the minimum salary. This solution significantly increases employment flexibility. At the same time, the employee will be able to change employer or working conditions without applying for a new permit. The only requirement in this respect is the continuation of work in a highly qualified occupation with adequate remuneration - in 2025, this means no less than PLN 12 272.58 gross per month. These facilities for foreigners make the Polish labour market more attractive.
Business activities for EU Blue Card holders and their families - new opportunities
EU Blue Card holders, as well as family members of the holder, joining the holder on the basis of a residence permit for the purpose of family reunification, gain possibility of self-employment. This permission applies both to those who acquired the Blue Card after the amendment came into force and those who already had it before. This is an important step to support foreigners' entrepreneurship and Poland's economic development.
Post-loss protection for Blue Card holders: what rights do you have?
If the holder of an EU Blue Card has lost his or her job after two years of use, after obligatory notification to the Governor, he or she is entitled to six months' protection. If this period has not exceeded two years, the provisions remain unchanged - the holder is entitled to 90 days (three months) of protection. This provides greater legal security and stability of residence in Poland for highly qualified workers.
Temporary residence permit in Poland in 2025: Important amendments
Amendments to the regulations on temporary residence permits introduce a number of changes aimed at streamlining the process of legalising the stay of foreigners in Poland.
Reduction of the required period of the employment contract for the temporary residence permit
The granting of a temporary residence permit for the purpose of working in a highly skilled occupation will no longer require a work contract of at least 12 months. This period has been shortened and as of 1 June is a minimum of six months. This facilitation aims to speed up processes and reduce administrative barriers.
Extension of the definition of family member for the purpose of family reunification
The latest amendment also extended the definition of a family member of a foreigner who may apply for a temporary residence permit for the purpose of family reunification. In addition to the persons previously indicated in the law (such as a spouse or a minor child), this will include the parent of a minor who has been granted refugee status or subsidiary protection, as well as the brother or sister of that foreigner if they are, due to a serious illness, totally and permanently dependent on the assistance of their parents, provided that those parents are members of the foreigner's family and have been granted temporary residence permits for family reunification. This change promotes the integration of families and provides them with stability.
Simplification of employment procedures for foreigners - what do you need to know?
The new legislation introduces significant simplifications to the hiring processes for foreign nationals, which is expected to ease the burden on employers and improve legal employment.
No more surveying the local labour market - new role for the District Governor
Under the new regulations, the obligation to survey the local labour market, which was previously an important requirement for many entrepreneurs, will be abolished. The previously required 'Starosta's Opinion' will change into a district right to determine the industry and scope within which the possibility of working with foreigners will be restricted. This is a significant convenience for employers employing foreigners.
Work permit applications only electronically
In addition, the form of submitting applications for work permits for foreigners has been changed - from 1 June 2025, only applications submitted via the ICT system will be accepted. This solution is intended to digitise and speed up the formalities.
When is a temporary residence permit for the purpose of work refused? New criteria
The amendments also clarify the prerequisites for refusing a temporary residence permit for the purpose of work, with particular emphasis on the responsibility of the entity entrusting the work.
Entity entrusting the work: Requirements and reasons for refusal of permission
To the scope of the elements through which a temporary residence permit for the purpose of work can be refused to foreigners, the characteristics that are not fulfilled by the entity entrusting the work are included. A refusal is granted when this entity:
- was established or operates primarily to facilitate the entry of foreigners into the territory of the Republic of Poland;
- is managed or controlled by a natural person who has been validly sanctioned or convicted of misdemeanours or offences indicated in Article 84 of the Act on the conditions of admissibility of employment of foreigners within the territory of the Republic of Poland;
- is managed or controlled by a natural person with a final conviction for offences against the rights of persons engaged in gainful employment;
- is managed or directed by a natural person with a final conviction for employing persons illegally present on the territory of the Republic of Poland;
- has not fulfilled his obligation to pay social security contributions or is in arrears with his taxes (unless he has been granted permission);
- is not in business or has been declared bankrupt.
These new criteria aim to counter illegal employment and ensure fair working conditions.
Changes to refusal to prosecute: Who is affected?
The provision on the refusal to initiate proceedings on granting a temporary residence permit to a foreigner for the purpose of work has also been amended. It no longer occurs when a foreigner is staying on the territory of the Republic of Poland in order to perform seasonal work. However, a point was added, according to which proceedings are refused to be initiated in a situation where a person is staying on the territory of the Republic of Poland on the basis of a permit for tolerated stay, a residence permit for humanitarian reasons, the granting of asylum or temporary protection.
Long-term resident's EU permit: How to recalculate periods of residence?
A long-term EU resident's residence permit is granted to a foreigner, after fulfilling other prerequisites, if he/she has been legally residing on the territory of the Republic of Poland for an uninterrupted period of five years. The new changes put emphasis on the legality of counting the period of residence in the European Union on the basis of the EU Blue Card. From 1 June 2025, in addition, the period of residence (legally and continuously for 5 years) is counted as residence on the basis of:
- long-stay visa or other residence permit with the indication 'researcher';
- international protection granted by a Member State of the European Union;
- a residence permit issued by another European Union Member State on the basis of that State's rules on the admission of highly qualified workers.
As part of a foreigner's residence on the basis of a residence permit with the remark 'student', only half of the period of residence is counted. These changes clarify the conditions for obtaining long-term EU resident status and the right of permanent residence.
Summary of the most important changes in legalising the stay of foreigners in Poland
June 2025 brings with it a number of significant and comprehensive changes to the legalisation of foreigners' stay, as well as related changes to work permits or recalculation of the length of stay. Immigration law in Poland is evolving to meet new challenges and needs.
Changes to the EU Blue Card legislation may result in more frequent issuance of the card, as well as greater interest among foreigners in having it. At the same time, the simplification of its use - the lack of designation of a specific job or a specific employer - may relieve some of the burden on Governors, and allowing both its holders and their families to do business may contribute to an increase in the number of entrepreneurs on the domestic market, thus supporting Poland's economic development.
In addition, the changes to the refusal of a temporary residence permit place greater emphasis on the criminalisation of the entity entrusting the work, which may result in more extensive controls and greater protection of workers' rights.
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