No points grid — Poland selects by permit type, employer sponsorship and salary thresholds.
Overview
Poland does not operate a points-based selection grid. Admission of non-EU workers is managed through a series of permit types administered by two separate bureaucracies: voivodeship offices (urzędy wojewódzkie) handle residence permits, while voivodeship marshals' offices (urzędy marszałkowskie) handle standalone work permits. The unified residence-and-work permit (zezwolenie na pobyt czasowy i pracę), introduced to simplify the process, is applied for at the voivodeship office and covers both status in a single document. For high-skill workers, the EU Blue Card route requires a minimum gross annual salary of PLN 160,264 (2026 threshold). A simplified declaration procedure (oświadczenie) allows employers to sponsor up to 6 months of work per 12-month period for nationals of Armenia, Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine. All residence permit applications are now submitted via the MOS portal. Verified against gov.pl/udsc-en, mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl, and praca.gov.pl as of June 2026.
Main Immigration Routes at a Glance
| Route | Deciding Authority | Max Duration | Key Threshold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unified residence + work permit | Voivodeship office (voivode) | 3 years (renewable) | Valid employment contract at Polish entity |
| EU Blue Card | Voivodeship office (voivode) | 2–4 years (renewable) | Salary ≥ PLN 160,264/yr gross (2026) |
| Standalone work permit (Type A) | Voivodeship marshal's office | 3 years (renewable) | Employer with Polish registered seat |
| Declaration (oświadczenie) | Poviat Labour Office | 6 months / 12 months | Eligible nationality; fee PLN 400 |
| Temporary residence — other purposes | Voivodeship office (voivode) | Up to 3 years | Study, family reunification, business |
| Permanent residence permit | Voivodeship office (voivode) | Indefinite (card 10 yrs) | 5 years continuous legal residence |
| Long-term EU resident permit | Voivodeship office (voivode) | Indefinite (card 5 yrs) | 5 years + stable income + health insurance |
| Polish citizenship (naturalisation) | Ministry of Internal Affairs (MSWiA) | Indefinite | Generally 5 years residence + B1 Polish |
Work-Focused Routes: Permit Types A–E
- Type A (standard employment): Covers any foreigner working under a contract with an employer whose registered seat is in Poland. Most common route for non-EU workers. Applied for by the employer at the voivodeship marshal's office; fee PLN 400 (PLN 200 for contracts up to 3 months). Valid up to 3 years.
- Type B (board-level management): For board members of companies meeting size or turnover thresholds. Fee PLN 2,000. Applied for by the company.
- Type C/D/E (intra-corporate and posted workers): Types C and E cover workers delegated from a foreign employer to a Polish branch or affiliated entity for more than 30 days per year or per 6-month period; Type D covers temporary export-service postings. These are less common and subject to specific delegation documentation.
- Unified permit (pobyt czasowy i praca): Combines a temporary residence permit and work authorisation into one procedure at the voivodeship office — simpler than applying separately. Requires a valid employment contract, salary at or above the statutory minimum, and health insurance.
- EU Blue Card: Available to highly qualified workers with a higher-education degree or 5 years of relevant professional experience and a gross annual salary of at least PLN 160,264 (2026). Card is valid 2–4 years and is transferable within the EU after 18 months of lawful employment in Poland.
Permanent Residence & Citizenship Pathways
- Permanent residence permit (zezwolenie na pobyt stały): After 5 years of continuous legal residence (for most third-country nationals); spouses of Polish citizens qualify after 3 years of marriage plus 2 years of residence. Absence cannot exceed 6 consecutive months or 10 months total within the 5-year period.
- Long-term EU resident permit: Also requires 5 years of continuous legal residence, plus stable income (at least PLN 776 net/month for a single person) and health insurance. Grants broader EU-wide mobility rights than a Polish permanent permit.
- Polish citizenship by naturalisation: Typically requires 5 years of continuous legal residence on a permanent or long-term EU permit, confirmed Polish language proficiency at B1 level, and demonstrated ties to Poland. The grant decision rests with the President of the Republic; recognition of citizenship is processed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration (MSWiA).
- Labour market test: Poland does not routinely apply a labour market needs test for most Type A work permits — employers must describe the position and salary in the application, but a formal test of domestic candidates is not generally required.
MOS Portal & Application Process
- Mandatory e-submission since 27 April 2026: All applications for temporary residence, permanent residence and long-term EU resident permits must be submitted through the MOS portal (mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl). Authentication requires a Trusted Profile (Profil Zaufany), electronic personal ID or qualified electronic signature.
- Language versions: The MOS portal is available in Polish, English, Ukrainian, Russian, French, Vietnamese and Arabic.
- Voivodeship processing: First-instance decisions on residence permits are made by the relevant voivode (regional governor). Applications should be submitted to the voivodeship office covering the applicant's place of residence in Poland.
- Right to remain pending decision: Under the Act on Foreigners, a foreigner whose legal stay was valid at the time of submitting a residence permit application is entitled to remain in Poland while the decision is pending, even if their original permit expires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Poland have a points-based immigration system like Australia or Canada?
No. Poland does not use a points grid. Selection is based entirely on the type of permit applied for, employer sponsorship and meeting specific criteria (salary threshold, contract type, residence period). There is no general skilled-migrant stream with a score. The closest equivalent to a skills-focused route is the EU Blue Card, which requires a qualifying salary (PLN 160,264 gross/year in 2026) and tertiary qualifications or 5 years of relevant experience, but it is still employer-tied and does not involve a points ranking.
What is the difference between a standalone work permit and the unified residence-and-work permit in Poland?
A standalone work permit (Type A) authorises work but does not grant residence — the foreigner must also hold a separate visa or residence permit. It is applied for by the employer at the voivodeship marshal's office. The unified residence-and-work permit (zezwolenie na pobyt czasowy i pracę) combines both in a single procedure at the voivodeship office: one application, one decision, one document. For most newcomers staying longer than 3 months, the unified permit is the more practical route. Both are now managed through the MOS portal from the applicant's side.
Who can use the simplified oświadczenie (declaration) procedure in Poland?
As of 2026, the declaration procedure is available to nationals of Armenia, Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine. It allows their Polish employer to register a declaration of entrusting work with the local Poviat Labour Office (powiatowy urząd pracy), authorising up to 6 months of non-seasonal work within any 12-month period. Georgia was removed from the eligible list under the new December 2025 regulations. The employer pays the PLN 400 registration fee and provides the registered declaration to the foreign worker before entry.
How long must I live in Poland before applying for permanent residence?
Most third-country nationals must have resided continuously and legally in Poland for 5 years before applying for a permanent residence permit or long-term EU resident permit. Continuous means no single absence longer than 6 consecutive months and no more than 10 months total within the 5-year period. Spouses of Polish nationals have a shorter path: 3 years of marriage combined with 2 years of legal residence in Poland. Applications are submitted via the MOS portal to the relevant voivodeship office.
Does Poland require a labour market test before an employer can hire a non-EU worker?
A formal mandatory labour market needs test (starostine information) was historically required for some work permits, but under current rules most Type A work permit applications do not require the employer to demonstrate that no Polish/EU citizen was available for the role. The employer must still provide details of the position and salary in the application. For specific categories and posted-worker situations the requirements differ — employers should verify with the relevant voivodeship marshal's office or check praca.gov.pl.
Can I change employers in Poland while holding a work permit or residence permit?
Both work permits and the unified residence-and-work permit are employer-specific in Poland. If you change employer, you must apply for a new or amended permit before starting with the new employer. The MOS portal allows an amendment (zmiana zezwolenia) application to update employer details on a unified permit. Working for an employer not named in your permit is unlawful and can lead to permit revocation. EU Blue Card holders may change employer within the same ISCO-3 occupation after 2 years; within 1 year they must obtain a new Blue Card.