Poland Modernizes Immigration Law: Exciting Changes for Highly Skilled Professionals and More!
Big news for those looking to work and live in Poland! A significant new law, dated April 24, 2025, is set to shake up the landscape for foreign nationals, particularly highly skilled workers. This isn't just a minor tweak; the legislation introduces a raft of changes, primarily to implement the EU Directive 2021/1883, aiming to make Poland a more attractive destination for talent from around the globe. If you're a professional, an employer, or simply interested in Polish immigration, here's a glimpse into why these updates matter and why you'll want to dig deeper.
The "Blue Card" Gets a Major Upgrade & New Mobility Options Emerge
One of the cornerstones of this reform is the enhanced EU Blue Card scheme. Here’s what’s catching our eye:
Flexible Qualifications: The definition of "higher professional qualifications" has been broadened. Now, it not only includes a university degree but also recognizes professional experience. Specifically, for certain professions, three years of relevant experience in the last seven years can be equivalent to a degree, and for others, five years of experience will suffice.
Easier Contract Terms: The minimum contract duration for a Blue Card has been reduced from one year to just six months.
Introducing Mobility: Get ready for new concepts like "short-term professional activity" and "long-term mobility of an EU Blue Card holder."
Short-Term Mobility: Blue Card holders from other EU countries can now engage in professional activities in Poland (like business meetings, conferences, or market research) for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without needing a separate Polish permit.
Long-Term Mobility: A new temporary residence permit is being introduced for Blue Card holders who have resided in another EU member state for at least 12 months (or 6 months if they were already using long-term mobility there) and wish to work in a highly skilled job in Poland. The salary threshold for this permit is set at 150% of the average national salary.
Faster Processing (in some cases): For the new long-term mobility permit for Blue Card holders, decisions are aimed to be issued within 30 days, with appeals to be resolved within 60 days.
What Else is Changing?
Beyond the Blue Card, the new law touches upon several other important areas:
New Definitions: The law clarifies terms like "short-term professional activity" for Blue Card holders from other EU states, covering activities like business meetings, conferences, and training.
Information Exchange: Poland will act as a national contact point for sharing information with other EU countries regarding Blue Card holders and other residents, which is crucial for those seeking long-term EU resident status.
Family Reunification: There are new provisions concerning family members of Blue Card holders, especially those exercising mobility rights. For instance, quicker processing times (30 days for initial decisions, 60 for appeals) are planned for family reunification permits if the family was already established in the EU state that issued the initial Blue Card.
Stricter Rules for Employers: The law introduces stricter conditions for entities employing foreigners, with penalties for those established mainly to facilitate entry or those with a history of certain offenses or non-payment of social security/taxes.
Impact Across Various Laws: The changes aren't confined to the Act on Foreigners. Amendments ripple through numerous other laws, affecting professionals like veterinarians, pharmacists, doctors, architects, and nurses, as well as areas like social benefits and family support, often to include holders of the new long-term mobility permits.
Why This Matters to You
These reforms signal Poland's commitment to attracting and retaining global talent by aligning its laws with progressive EU standards. The emphasis on mobility, the recognition of professional experience for qualifications, and potentially faster processing times could make Poland a significantly more appealing option for highly skilled individuals and their families.
Want to Know More?
This is just a snapshot of the key changes. The full text of the law details numerous other adjustments, including specific requirements for applications, grounds for refusal or withdrawal of permits, and obligations for both foreigners and their employers. Given the complexity and the far-reaching implications of these amendments, if you are a foreign national considering working in Poland, an employer of foreign staff, or an advisor in this field, it's crucial to consult the full legal text or seek professional legal advice to understand precisely how these changes might affect your specific situation.
The new rules are set to came into force on the 9th of May 2025r, so the time to get informed is now!
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