EU Blue Card Poland

EU Blue Card Poland
Karolina Gradowska-Kania

Karolina Gradowska-Kania

Attorney / Head of the Mobility & HR department

Exploring the EU Blue Card in Poland, a vital tool for highly qualified professionals from third countries seeking to work in the EU.

This article delves into what the EU Blue Card Poland offers, its eligibility criteria, and the benefits it provides.

We also explore the legal framework, application process, and advantages for both professionals and their families.

EU Blue card Poland

Blue Card in Poland – the overview

The EU Blue Card Poland: Often referred to as the “temporary residence permit for the purpose of performing work requiring high qualifications”. This is its official title as per Polish legal regulations. Essentially, it’s a temporary stay and work permit with additional rights.

While a standard temporary residence and work permit can be acquired for any job, the EU Blue Card has specific criteria. This permit is designed for those taking up highly qualified work in an EU country.

However, it’s crucial to note:

  • Despite being an EU initiative, the Blue Card offers extended rights solely in the country that issued it. For the scope of this discussion, we’ll focus on Poland.

  • The card, grounded on the “EU Blue Card” provisions, is distinguishable from regular cards. In the “Uwagi/Remarks” column, instead of “Zezwolenie na pobyt czasowy”, it reads “Niebieska Karta UE”.

  • Instituted by the European Council’s Directive in 2009, the Blue Card’s primary intent was to draw in highly skilled workers from third countries, offering them streamlined employment opportunities and flexibility in altering workplaces or residence nations.

  • National regulations can adjust certain EU-wide Blue Card provisions. For instance, if you obtain the Blue Card in Poland and later decide to move to Germany, it’s vital to acquaint yourself with German laws pertaining to the Blue Card, as they might differ from Poland’s.

  • Three countries opting out of the Blue Card scheme are Great Britain, Ireland, and Denmark.

  • The term “Blue Card EU” in Polish legal frameworks is synonymous with “Work in a specialty requiring high qualifications”. Thus, it’s pivotal to understand these terms as interchangeable.

  • Formally, when obtained based on the Blue Card’s provisions, the permit is referred to as the “Temporary residence permit for the purpose of performing work requiring high qualifications” — Zezwolenie na pobyt czasowy w celu wykonywania pracy w zawodzie wymagającym wysokich kwalifikacji.

Read our comprehensive article about tendencies on immigration to Poland

EU Blue card Poland - formalities

This solution was first introduced in EU legislation. More specifically in the Council Directive 2009/50/EC of 25 May 2009 on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purposes of highly qualified employment. The purpose of the EU Blue Card Poland is to attract highly qualified employees from third countries to the territory of the EU.

Its goal is to simplify their employment process and to provide flexibility in changing workplaces. The Polish legislature introduced this directive under the Act of April 27, 2012. At this moment, several articles regulate issuing of such temporary residence permits.

More specifically, the permits to work in a profession requiring high qualifications. These are the articles starting from Art. 127 of the Act of 12 December 2013 on foreigners.

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Who can apply for the EU Blue Card Poland?

Foreigners who want to apply for a Blue Card should meet all the following conditions:

  1. work in a profession that requires high qualifications;
  2. be employed under a contract of employment (or contract of home-based work, or civil law contract), concluded for at least 1 year,
  3. receive a monthly salary not lower than 150% of the average salary in the national economy. This refers to the year preceding the conclusion of the contract. The average salary is announced by the Central Statistical Office (in 2023 it is 9515,22 PLN gross)

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What does the term high qualifications’ mean?

The term „high qualifications” refers to qualifications obtained after completing higher education. One can also obtain them after 5 years of professional experience at a comparable level.

EU Blue card Poland - time

EU Blue Card Poland. Benefits of having a Blue Card

Having the permit to work in a profession requiring high qualifications, a foreigner has two options. He may work for the employer indicated in the decision, or change the decision about the choice of employer. In the second case, there is no need to apply for a new residence permit. Moreover, for the first 2 years with the EU Blue Card, a foreigner can change the type of contract. He can also change working hours.

One can do this simply by informing the office. After working under the EU Blue Card Poland for 2 years, a change of employer or job position will not require (under certain conditions) a change of permit.

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EU Blue card Poland - application

Moreover, a foreigner who obtained the EU Blue Card Poland can also:

  1. apply for a long-term EU residence permit on more favourable terms.  With the EU Blue Card Poland, one does not lose the period of stay after changing work and country of residence. The period of stay counts to receiving a long-term EU resident status. However, the change of stay and work must take place within the European Union.
  2. apply for legalization of the relatives’ stay on more favourable terms. Family members of a foreigner with a Blue Card are able to get a temporary residence permit. The permit is issued with the aim to enable the family’s reunification. It can be granted during the first legalization procedure in Poland. Additionally, there is one extremely beneficial element of this procedure. Family members also gain access to the labour market based on such permits.   This means that they will be able to work without obtaining a work permit in Poland;
  3. apply for family benefits in Poland.
  4. After residing in Poland for 2 years with a Blue Card, you can change your job without the need to modify the existing permit. It’s a simple process where you just inform the Voivode (regional governor) of the change, which doesn’t take much time.
  5. Following a 12-month stay in Poland based on the Blue Card, you can relocate to another EU member state. Your residence permit will then be converted to an equivalent permit in that country. While the procedure might vary depending on the EU member state, acquiring the Blue Card becomes much simpler.

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EU Blue Card Poland. Summary

There is no doubt that the EU Blue Card is a very beneficial solution for foreigners. Especially for those who plan to migrate with their relatives. Engineers, IT specialists or programmers from across our eastern border – all are willingly employed in Poland.

We should expect that the EU Blue Card will become a more popular way of legalizing stay and work in Poland. We constantly observe a growing demand for specialists. The domestic market cannot fully satisfy it.

FAQs on EU Blue Card Poland

What is the EU Blue Card Poland?

The EU Blue Card Poland is a temporary stay and work permit designed for highly qualified professionals from non-EU countries, offering them streamlined employment opportunities and additional rights within Poland.

Who is eligible to apply for the EU Blue Card in Poland?

Eligibility includes professionals in high-qualification jobs with a contract for at least one year and earning at least 150% of the average national salary.

What are the benefits of having an EU Blue Card in Poland?

Benefits include the flexibility to change employers or job positions within Poland, easier access to long-term EU residency, and favorable conditions for family reunification and access to the Polish labor market for family members.

What does ‘high qualifications’ mean in the context of the EU Blue Card Poland?

‘High qualifications’ refer to education levels typically achieved through higher education or equivalent professional experience of at least five years.

How is the EU Blue Card different from a standard work permit?

The EU Blue Card specifically targets highly skilled professionals and offers more benefits, such as ease of mobility within the EU and family reunification, compared to standard work permits.

Can I change my job or employer while holding an EU Blue Card in Poland?

Yes, after two years of holding the EU Blue Card, you can change your job or employer without modifying your existing permit.

Is the EU Blue Card valid in other EU countries?

While the Blue Card is an EU initiative, its rights are limited to the country that issued it. However, after 12 months, you can relocate to another EU member state under certain conditions.

What is the application process for the EU Blue Card Poland?

The application involves submitting a filled form along with necessary documents like a valid contract of employment, proof of high qualifications, and evidence of meeting the salary threshold.

How long does it take to obtain the EU Blue Card in Poland?

The processing time can vary, but typically it takes a few weeks to a couple of months from the submission of the application.

Can family members join an EU Blue Card holder in Poland?

Yes, family members can join the Blue Card holder and are eligible for a temporary residence permit, which also grants them access to the Polish labor market without a separate work permit.

Wyróżniony ekspert

Karolina Gradowska-Kania

Karolina Gradowska-Kania

Attorney / Head of the Mobility & HR department