St Mary's Basilica and Main Market Square in Kraków, Poland

Poland Visa & Immigration Services

Hudson McKenzie advises individuals, families and international businesses on Polish visa and immigration matters, including work permits, temporary residence and work applications, EU Blue Cards, intra-corporate transfers, business immigration, family residence, study, permanent residence, EU long-term residence and citizenship.

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Poland is a member of the European Union and the Schengen Area. Immigration requirements depend on factors including nationality, the purpose and duration of stay, employment or business arrangements, family circumstances and longer-term residence objectives.

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EU, EEA and Swiss citizens benefit from European free-movement rights, while most non-EU nationals moving to Poland for employment or longer-term residence need the appropriate Polish immigration permission.

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For non-EU nationals, work and residence can involve different forms of authorisation. Depending on the circumstances, an employee may require Polish work authorisation, an appropriate visa for entry and/or a residence permit for longer-term stay.

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Poland also introduced a major procedural change on 27 April 2026, when the new Moduł Obsługi Spraw (MOS) system became the mandatory electronic filing route for most temporary residence, permanent residence and EU long-term resident applications. Certain categories, including specified ICT and overseas family cases, continue to follow different filing procedures.

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Hudson McKenzie can assess the available Polish immigration routes and coordinate visa, work-authorisation, residence and supporting-document requirements for individuals and businesses.

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For broader context on Poland as a destination for international businesses and professionals, see Poland is ready. The world is watching.

Non-EU nationals intending to work in Poland generally need appropriate work authorisation unless a statutory exemption or unrestricted labour-market access applies.

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The correct process depends on the employee’s nationality, proposed activities, employer, duration of employment and immigration status in Poland.

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Polish Work Permits: In cases where a separate work permit is required, the Polish employer normally plays the central role in the application.

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Under the current system, work-permit applications are submitted electronically through praca.gov.pl by the employer rather than by the foreign national. Polish work permits can generally be issued for up to three years, subject to the particular category and circumstances.

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A work permit does not by itself establish the foreign national’s right to enter or reside in Poland. The employee must also hold an immigration status that permits the stay and employment.

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Temporary Residence and Work Permit: For qualifying non-EU nationals already pursuing longer-term employment in Poland, the Temporary Residence and Work Permit can combine residence and permission to work for the employment specified in the decision.

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Applications for standard temporary residence permits covered by the new framework are now submitted electronically through MOS.

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A Polish residence card should not automatically be treated as unrestricted work permission. Employment rights depend on the legal basis on which the card and underlying residence status were granted.

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National Visa — Type D: Depending on nationality and circumstances, a foreign national may require a Polish national visa for entry and longer stays. Holding a visa does not remove the need for separate work authorisation where Polish employment law requires it.

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Work-Permit Exemptions: Certain categories of foreign nationals benefit from full labour-market access or statutory exemptions from the normal work-permit requirement. Eligibility should be confirmed before employment begins.

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Immigration Component	Main Purpose	Who Normally Initiates It?	Important Point
Work Permit	Authorises qualifying employment in Poland	Employer	Does not by itself create a right of residence
Temporary Residence & Work Permit	Combines qualifying residence and specified work rights	Foreign national	Current standard applications generally use MOS
National Visa — Type D	Entry and longer stay for an approved purpose	Foreign national through the consular process	Does not replace required work authorisation

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For more detailed guidance on longer-term employment, see Hudson McKenzie’s Temporary Residence Card and Work Permit in Poland guide.

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Hudson McKenzie can advise employers, HR teams and employees on the appropriate Polish work and residence route and coordinate the different stages of the immigration process.

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The Polish EU Blue Card provides a work and residence route for qualifying highly skilled non-EU professionals employed in Poland.

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It is distinct from Poland’s standard temporary residence and work framework and carries specific qualification, employment and remuneration requirements.

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Higher Professional Qualifications: Applicants can demonstrate the required professional qualifications through qualifying higher education or professional experience.

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Current Polish guidance recognises:

a successfully completed higher-education programme of at least three years;
in appropriate cases, at least five years of relevant professional experience equivalent to higher education; or
for certain specified professions, at least three years of relevant professional experience acquired during the seven years before the application.

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2026 EU Blue Card Salary Requirement: For applications submitted in 2026, the required gross annual remuneration is at least PLN 160,264.08, equivalent to more than PLN 13,355.34 gross per month.

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The threshold is calculated at 150% of the average remuneration in the national economy for the preceding year and therefore changes over time.

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Requirement	EU Blue Card	Standard Temporary Residence & Work
Typical Applicant	Highly qualified professional	Wider range of qualifying employees
Higher professional qualifications	Required	No general Blue Card-style qualification test
2026 Blue Card salary threshold	At least PLN 160,264.08 annually / more than PLN 13,355.34 monthly	Blue Card threshold does not apply
Employer involvement	Yes	Yes
Enhanced EU mobility framework	Yes	No equivalent Blue Card framework

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EU Mobility: The Blue Card framework can provide additional mobility rights within participating EU Member States. Current Polish rules allow qualifying long-term mobility after the required period of Blue Card residence in another Member State.

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Blue Card residence in other qualifying EU countries can also be relevant when calculating eligibility for EU long-term resident status. Under the applicable mobility rules, the required five-year period can potentially combine qualifying periods elsewhere in the EU, provided the final qualifying period is spent in Poland.

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For further information, see Hudson McKenzie’s EU Blue Card rules and requirements for employers.

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Hudson McKenzie can assess the proposed role, salary and applicant’s qualifications and advise whether the EU Blue Card or another Polish work and residence route is more appropriate.

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Poland provides several routes to longer-term or indefinite status. Permanent residence, EU long-term resident status and Polish citizenship are separate legal outcomes with different eligibility requirements.

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Permanent Residence

A Polish permanent residence permit is available only to categories specified by law.

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Unlike EU long-term resident status, permanent residence is not generally obtained simply because someone has lived in Poland for five years.

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Potential qualifying categories include certain:

children of Polish citizens;
children of permanent residents or EU long-term residents;
persons of Polish origin or qualifying Pole’s Card holders;
spouses of Polish citizens who satisfy the applicable marriage and residence requirements;
refugees and persons granted specified forms of protection; and
other statutory categories.

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Official Polish guidance expressly distinguishes permanent residence from the EU long-term resident route and notes that a fixed prior period of residence is not required for every permanent-residence category.

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EU Long-Term Resident Status

A qualifying non-EU national may generally become eligible for EU long-term resident status after at least five years of legal and uninterrupted residence in Poland immediately before applying.

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Applicants also need to satisfy other requirements, including stable and regular income and the applicable Polish-language requirement.

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Qualifying evidence of Polish language ability is generally required at B1 level, unless an exemption or another accepted form of evidence applies.

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Not all periods of stay count in full. In particular, only half of qualifying residence based on study or vocational training is normally counted towards the five-year period.

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Polish Citizenship

Polish citizenship can arise or be acquired through several different legal routes.

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One common recognition route applies to a foreign national who has resided continuously in Poland for at least three years on permanent residence, EU long-term resident status or permanent-residence rights and who also has stable income and legal title to residential premises.

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Another route can apply after at least two years of qualifying residence where the applicant has also been married to a Polish citizen for at least three years.

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Recognition as a Polish citizen generally requires officially confirmed Polish-language knowledge at B1 level or above.

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Citizenship by Descent: Individuals with Polish family ancestry may need to establish whether Polish citizenship was acquired and retained through the relevant family line.

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Having a Polish ancestor does not by itself establish that an applicant currently holds Polish citizenship. Historical nationality law, birth and marriage records, naturalisation events and the status of each generation can all be relevant.

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Status	General Basis	Typical Residence Requirement	Key Point
Permanent Residence	Specific statutory categories	Depends on qualifying category	Not generally based on a universal five-year residence rule
EU Long-Term Resident	Long-term qualifying residence	Generally at least 5 years	Stable income and Polish-language requirements apply
Recognition as Polish Citizen	Polish citizenship legislation	Depends on statutory route	B1 Polish generally required and additional conditions apply

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Electronic Filing Through MOS

Since 27 April 2026, applications for standard temporary residence, permanent residence and EU long-term resident permits covered by the new regime must generally be submitted electronically through the MOS portal.

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Specified exceptions continue to use different procedures, including certain ICT and overseas family applications.

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Hudson McKenzie can review an applicant’s immigration history, residence status, family circumstances and longer-term objectives and advise on the appropriate permanent residence, EU long-term residence or citizenship strategy.

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Other Poland Immigration Routes

Short-Stay Business & Visitor Travel

Poland is part of the Schengen Area.

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Depending on nationality, travellers may require a Schengen C visa for qualifying short stays.

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The general Schengen framework permits stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

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Qualifying business activity can include matters such as:

meetings;
negotiations and commercial discussions;
conferences and seminars;
trade fairs and exhibitions; and
other permitted short-term business activities.

Business visitor status should not be treated as unrestricted permission to undertake employment in Poland. Where the proposed activities amount to work, the appropriate Polish work authorisation should be considered.

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Tourism, family visits and other private travel are also subject to nationality-specific Schengen visa rules.

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International Students & Graduates

Non-EU nationals undertaking qualifying studies in Poland may require a Polish national visa or temporary residence permission, depending on nationality and intended duration of stay.

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Supporting evidence can include:

admission or continuation of studies;
evidence concerning the educational institution;
financial resources;
health insurance; and
tuition-fee documentation where applicable.

Employment rights during study depend on the student’s immigration status and circumstances.

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For future EU long-term resident applications, qualifying periods spent in Poland for study or vocational training are generally counted at half their duration when calculating the five-year residence requirement.

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Students considering remaining in Poland after graduation should assess whether an employment, EU Blue Card, business or other residence route is available.

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Digital Nomads & Remote Working from Poland

Poland does not currently operate a dedicated immigration category specifically described as a Digital Nomad Visa.

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A foreign national wishing to live in Poland while working remotely should establish whether another immigration category provides an appropriate legal basis for the proposed stay and activities.

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Relevant factors can include:

nationality;
duration of stay;
employer location;
employee or self-employed status;
where the work is physically performed; and
whether Polish work authorisation is required.

Visitor or visa-free status should not automatically be treated as permission to establish long-term residence and work remotely from Poland.

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Remote working can also have tax, social-security and employment-law implications separate from immigration permission.

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For broader international remote-work options, see Hudson McKenzie’s Digital Nomad Visas and Remote Working Visas.

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Why Choose Hudson McKenzie for Poland Immigration?

Hudson McKenzie advises individuals, families, professionals, entrepreneurs and international businesses on Polish immigration and global mobility matters.

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Our team can assist with:

Polish work permits;
Temporary Residence and Work Permit applications;
national visa and residence planning;
EU Blue Card applications;
highly qualified worker assessments;
intra-corporate transfers;
international assignments and posted-worker matters;
business and entrepreneur residence;
family reunification;
EU, EEA and Swiss residence rights;
international student immigration;
remote-working immigration assessments;
MOS residence applications;
permanent residence;
EU long-term resident status;
Polish citizenship planning;
citizenship-by-descent assessments;
document preparation and review;
apostille, legalisation and translation coordination; and
corporate immigration and global mobility strategy.

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For businesses, Hudson McKenzie can support foreign recruitment, employee transfers and assignments into Poland and coordinate employer and employee immigration requirements.

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For professionals, we can compare standard work-authorisation and residence routes with the EU Blue Card framework according to qualifications, remuneration, proposed employment and longer-term plans.

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For entrepreneurs and families, we can assess the available business, family and residence options according to individual circumstances.

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Where Polish immigration forms part of a wider international assignment or corporate mobility programme, our global immigration team can coordinate Polish requirements with wider cross-border planning.

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Planning to work, establish a business, relocate employees or join family in Poland? Contact Hudson McKenzie to discuss the Polish immigration options relevant to your circumstances.

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Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Polish and EU immigration rules, visa requirements, work-authorisation procedures, financial and salary thresholds, electronic filing requirements and documentary requirements are subject to change. Eligibility depends on nationality, immigration category, individual circumstances and the rules in force at the relevant time. Please contact Hudson McKenzie for advice tailored to your specific circumstances.