EU Blue Card in Poland in 2026

What is the EU Blue Card?

The EU Blue Card is a temporary residence and work permit designed for highly qualified workers from outside the European Union. It serves as the EU equivalent of the American H-1B visa and aims to attract top specialists to work in EU member states.

In Poland, the EU Blue Card provides numerous benefits, including facilitated mobility within the EU after 12 months of residence, family reunification possibilities, and an accelerated path to permanent residence.

Salary Thresholds

A key requirement for obtaining the EU Blue Card is an appropriate salary level. The salary threshold is set at 150% of the average salary in the national economy as announced annually by the President of the Central Statistical Office (GUS).

Source: GUS President’s Communiqué of February 9, 2026 on the average salary in the national economy in 2025.

Key Changes Since June 1, 2025

The amendment to the Act on Foreigners (Journal of Laws 2025, item 619) introduced significant facilitations for EU Blue Card holders:

*Business activity may only serve as a supplement. The basis for the Blue Card must remain employment under an employment or civil law contract (Art. 15(4) of Directive 2021/1883).

Protection Period After Job Loss

According to Art. 133(1)(3) of the Act on Foreigners, the revocation decision cannot be issued earlier than:

Important: This is a procedural period during which authorities cannot issue a revocation decision. It is NOT a guaranteed legal stay period. The foreigner must immediately notify the voivode of job loss (Art. 134) and actively seek new employment meeting Blue Card requirements.

Requirements for Applicants

Professional Qualifications

Applicants must demonstrate high professional qualifications through a higher education diploma (minimum bachelor’s degree, at least 3 years of study) or at least 5 years of relevant professional experience at a comparable level in the given field.

Required Documents

The application must include: application on the official form, 4 recent photographs (35×45 mm), valid passport with copies of all pages, employment contract or civil law contract for minimum 6 months with specified salary, documents confirming qualifications (diploma or employment certificates for 5 years), annexes 1 and 2, proof of accommodation in Poland, and proof of health insurance (ZUS or private).

For regulated professions (doctor, nurse, architect, pharmacist, etc.), diploma nostrification and the right to practice in Poland are additionally required.

Application Procedure

Applications are submitted to the voivodeship office competent for the foreigner’s place of residence. Full digitization of procedures is planned for 2026; however, during the transition period, traditional document submission at the office may still be possible – it is advisable to verify current requirements with the specific voivodeship office.

Processing time typically ranges from a few weeks to several months, depending on the office and documentation completeness.

Benefits of Holding an EU Blue Card

The EU Blue Card offers numerous significant benefits: EU mobility after 12 months of legal residence (possibility to relocate to another member state), family reunification (spouse and minor children obtain residence permits with work rights without separate authorization), accelerated path to permanent residence (after 33 months or 21 months with Polish language proficiency at B1 level), equal work and salary conditions with Polish citizens, and the ability to leave the EU for up to 12 consecutive months without losing status.

Employer Obligations

Employers hiring EU Blue Card holders are obligated to: pay salaries exclusively in PLN through the Polish payroll system (bonuses, allowances, and benefits in kind do not count toward the threshold), register signed contracts before the foreigner starts work, notify authorities if the employee does not start work or leaves earlier than planned, and ensure comparable salary to Polish employees in analogous positions.

Summary

The reforms introduced in 2025 significantly simplified the procedure for obtaining and using the EU Blue Card in Poland. The abolition of the labour market test, shortened contract period requirements, and greater flexibility in changing employers make Poland a more attractive destination for highly qualified specialists from third countries. From February 9, 2026, a new salary threshold applies – PLN 13,355.34 gross per month (an increase of PLN 1,082.76 compared to 2025).

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This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific cases, please consult a qualified immigration attorney.

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