The Blue Card (Niebieska karta UE) is a temporary residence permit for the purpose of working in a highly qualified profession. In Polish, it is referred to as zezwolenie na pobyt czasowy w celu wykonywania pracy w zawodzie wymagającym wysokich kwalifikacji. This type of residence and work permit can be obtained by a foreigner who:
a) works in a profession that requires higher education and has completed studies lasting at least 3 years,
b) has at least 5 years of professional experience that can be compared to the education required for performing this job.
In addition to fulfilling one of the above conditions, the foreigner must demonstrate that their gross annual salary is no less than 150% of the average salary in the national economy for the year preceding the application. Currently, this is about 2,000 euros or more.
The Blue Card offers several advantages over a regular residence card, including a simplified procedure for family reunification and a permanent residence permit for the entire family, with the right to work in Poland. Cardholders also have the right to free education for their children at Polish universities.
How to obtain a Blue Card?
The procedure for obtaining this permit is the same as for obtaining a standard temporary residence and work permit, but the foreigner also needs to submit Annexes No. 1 and 2 along with the application form filled out by the employer, which specifies the terms of their employment.
Details of the procedure:
- You must submit the application for a temporary residence permit in person, no later than the last day of your legal stay in the Republic of Poland.
- The residence permit can only be obtained in person.
- It is important to show a contract with your employer for at least 1 year. The card is usually issued until the end of the contract plus 3 months, but not longer than 3 years. After that, you need to reapply.
- Your fingerprints will be taken to process the residence permit.
- You must provide documents in Polish, either in originals or photocopies with the originals for review.
- Documents in a foreign language must be accompanied by a Polish translation made by a certified Polish translator.
- If the application for a temporary residence permit is submitted during the foreigner’s legal stay and the application does not contain formal deficiencies, or if deficiencies are corrected in time, the voivode will stamp the foreigner’s travel document, confirming the submission of the application.
- The stamp in the travel document does not grant the foreigner the right to travel within other Schengen Area countries, but the foreigner can leave directly for their country of origin. However, to return to Poland, they will need to obtain a visa if they come from a country subject to visa requirements.
Advantages of the Blue Card in Poland
First of all, it is important to note that this permit offers greater flexibility in the labor market and relieves foreign workers from many inconveniences that arise with a standard residence permit. Firstly, if a foreigner changes their employer, there is no need to submit an application for a new permit; instead, only an adjustment to the already obtained permit is required. Additionally, during the first two years of working under the Blue Card, any changes to the type of contract or working hours can only be made after informing the municipal authorities about these changes.
After two years of working with the EU Blue Card, a foreigner is allowed to change their employer or place of work without needing to change the permit, essentially working on the same terms as a Polish citizen. Moreover, family members of the foreigner who obtain a temporary residence permit for family reunification purposes have free access to the Polish labor market, without needing a work permit.
Another advantage of having the Blue Card is the possibility of relocating to another EU member state for work in a highly qualified profession. A foreigner can take advantage of this opportunity after 18 months of legal residence based on the Blue Card, and their family members can also move to another country with them.
Diploma issued in Ukraine – do I need to submit a translated document?
Yes. You must submit the diploma along with a translation done by a certified Polish translator listed in the list of sworn translators maintained by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Poland (the list of sworn translators can be found here: https://arch-bip.ms.gov.pl/).
If the diploma you present does not indicate that you have obtained the qualifications necessary for performing the job specified in the contract, you will also be required to provide a “suplement dyplomu” (a document containing information that helps employers and educational institutions understand your qualifications).
Relevant professions
In each country, lists of professions differ, but there are those that are always in demand on the labor market:
- Physicists and mathematicians: teachers at schools, universities, colleges; IT developers; network administrators.
- Specialists in the natural sciences: veterinarians, zoologists, biologists, botanists, ecologists.
- Medical professionals: surgeons, anesthesiologists, pharmacists, urologists, cardiologists.
- Lawyers: notaries, attorneys.
- Engineers, designers, and architects, including the development of alternative energy sources.
For a full list, refer to the Special Register of Highly Qualified and In-demand Professions.
