Poland, as a member of the European Union, actively participates in attracting qualified specialists from outside the EU. One of the tools for this purpose is the EU Blue Card (Niebieska Karta UE). It is a special type of residence and work permit intended for highly qualified workers from third countries. What exactly is the EU Blue Card, and what conditions must be met to obtain it in Poland?

What exactly is the EU Blue Card?

Formally, in Polish law, the EU Blue Card is called a “temporary residence permit for the purpose of highly qualified employment” (zezwolenie na pobyt czasowy w celu wykonywania pracy w zawodzie wymagającym wysokich kwalifikacji). It is a residence document combined with a work permit, issued based on harmonized EU regulations (Council Directive 2009/50/EC, amended by Directive (EU) 2021/1883 of the European Parliament and of the Council).

Its main goal is to facilitate the entry and residence of highly qualified workers from outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland in EU countries, including Poland, making Europe more competitive in the global talent market.

Who can apply for an EU Blue Card in Poland? Key requirements

For a foreigner to obtain an EU Blue Card in Poland, they must meet several key conditions simultaneously:

  1. Be a Third-Country National: Meaning from outside the European Union, European Economic Area (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), and Switzerland.
  2. Possess High Professional Qualifications: This means:
    • Completed higher education (lasting at least 3 years), OR
    • Possess at least 5 years of professional experience at a level comparable to qualifications obtained through higher education, which is necessary to perform the work specified in the contract or job offer.
  3. Hold an Employment Contract or Binding Job Offer: The contract (or offer) must be for a period of at least 1 year and concern the performance of work requiring the aforementioned high qualifications.
  4. Receive Adequate Remuneration: The gross annual salary specified in the contract or job offer must not be lower than 1.5 times the amount of the average national salary in the economy in the year preceding the submission of the application, as announced by the President of Statistics Poland (GUS). This threshold changes every year – the current amount for the given year must always be checked! (E.g., for applications submitted in 2025, the average salary for 2024 is relevant).
  5. Hold Consent from the Competent Authority (if required): For regulated professions (e.g., doctor, architect), consent from the relevant authority to practice the profession is necessary.
  6. Meet General Residence Conditions: Possess a valid travel document (passport), health insurance, and sufficient means of subsistence (which, given the required salary threshold, is usually met).

What benefits does the EU Blue Card offer?

Holding an EU Blue Card comes with certain additional benefits compared to a standard temporary residence and work permit:

  • Easier Mobility within the EU: After working for a specified period (according to newer EU rules – 12 months) in the first EU country (e.g., Poland) based on the Blue Card, the holder has facilitated conditions for taking up highly qualified employment in another member state (although this may still require certain formalities, like notification or obtaining a new card in the second country).
  • Faster Path to EU Long-Term Resident Status: Potentially, the possibility of obtaining EU long-term resident status after 5 years of residence in the EU based on the Blue Card (time spent in different EU countries might be aggregated under certain conditions, e.g., a specific period of stay in the country of application).
  • More Favorable Family Reunification Rules: Family members of an EU Blue Card holder (spouse, minor children) are usually entitled to obtain a temporary residence permit with full access to the labor market in Poland.
  • Greater Flexibility When Changing Employers: Although changing employers or essential working conditions within the first 12 months of holding the card still requires a change of permit, subsequent changes may be subject to simplified procedures (e.g., only notification to the voivode, provided the new conditions still meet the Blue Card criteria).

What does the application procedure look like?

The process of applying for an EU Blue Card is very similar to the procedure for obtaining a standard temporary residence and work permit (single permit):

  1. Applicant: The application is submitted by the foreigner.
  2. Authority: The application is directed to the Voivode competent for the foreigner’s place of residence in Poland.
  3. Deadline: The application must be submitted during a legal stay in Poland, before it expires.
  4. Required Documents (examples):
    • Completed application form for a temporary residence permit.
    • Valid passport (copy + original for inspection).
    • Current photographs.
    • Employment contract (or binding job offer) for min. 1 year, indicating remuneration equal to or higher than the required threshold (1.5x average salary).
    • Documents confirming high professional qualifications (higher education diploma with sworn translation or documents proving min. 5 years of relevant professional experience).
    • Annex No. 1 to the application, completed by the employer.
    • Health insurance.
    • Proof of payment of the stamp duty.

EU Blue Card vs. standard work/residence permit

The main difference lies in the requirement of high qualifications and achieving a sufficiently high salary for the EU Blue Card. In return, it offers additional benefits, particularly regarding intra-EU mobility, family reunification, and potentially a faster path to obtaining EU long-term resident status.

Scenario: programmer from India applies for a Blue Card

Ms. Anjali, an experienced programmer from India with a Master’s degree in Computer Science, receives a job offer from a large tech company in Warsaw. The contract is for 2 years, and the offered gross salary significantly exceeds 1.5 times the average wage in Poland.

  1. The employer provides Ms. Anjali with a binding job offer and completes Annex No. 1 for the residence permit application.
  2. Ms. Anjali, while legally staying in Poland (e.g., on a different visa), gathers the documents: application form, passport copies, photos, copy of her Master’s diploma (with apostille and sworn translation), job offer and Annex No. 1, proof of insurance.
  3. She submits the application for a “temporary residence permit for the purpose of highly qualified employment” to the Masovian Voivode.
  4. After a positive decision, she receives the decision and a residence card with the annotation “Niebieska Karta UE” (EU Blue Card). Thanks to this, her husband can also apply for a residence permit with access to the labor market. After 12 months of working in Poland, Ms. Anjali starts considering the possibility of taking up work in another EU country, taking advantage of the mobility facilities.

Professional support in the EU Blue Card application process

The procedure for obtaining an EU Blue Card, although advantageous, requires meeting specific, often strict criteria (especially regarding qualifications and salary). Our law firm offers assistance to both foreigners and employers:

  • We verify if the candidate meets the criteria for obtaining an EU Blue Card.
  • We assist in compiling and preparing the required documentation (including verification of documents confirming qualifications).
  • We assist in completing and submitting the application to the Voivodeship Office.
  • We monitor the progress of the proceedings and support communication with the office.

The EU Blue Card is an attractive pathway for qualified professionals seeking to advance their careers in Poland and Europe. If you meet the criteria or wish to hire such a specialist, this option is worth considering. Contact us to learn more.

(Please remember that the salary threshold required for the EU Blue Card changes every year. The information in this article is general and does not constitute legal advice. Always verify the detailed requirements with the Office for Foreigners or the relevant Voivodeship Office.)

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