EU Blue Card – Niebieska Karta UE – is one of the Polish and European documents, which allows highly qualified specialists to legitimize their stay in Poland and the European Union.

Conditions for obtaining a Blue Card in Poland

One of the most important requirements is the level of a professional’s salary. The amount of the required wage is at least 150% of the average wage in Poland.

The minimum level of income that allows you to apply for the Blue Card in 2020 is PLN 7377.25 (approximately EUR 1680) per month.

The employment contract must be signed for at least one year.

Applicants must prove their professional qualifications. For this purpose, the applicant must submit a diploma of higher education or an evidence of at least 5 years of professional experience in the profession.

Advantages of the Blue Card over a regular residence permit in Poland

In comparison to a regular temporary residence permit, foreigners with a Blue Card can count on a number of advantages and benefits.

• Family members of a foreigner residing in Poland on the basis of a Blue Card do not need a work permit.
• Children of a Blue Card holder may study in Poland on the same free basis as Polish citizens.
• If you have been in another EU country on the Blue Card, this period will be counted when applying for the EU Residence Card in Poland – provided that you have been staying with the Blue Card in Poland for the last 2 years of these 5 years.
• After 2 years of living and working in Poland on the Blue Card, in case of a change of employer or position, you do not need to apply the paperwork again. It is sufficient to inform the authorities at your place of residence that the circumstances of your employment have changed.
• It is possible to stay in the country without work for 3 months.

Blue Card registration procedure in Poland

The application for the Blue Card is submitted after moving to Poland on a work visa. 

To issue a Blue Card, the foreigner needs to apply for the permit to the relevant Voivode’s office. In many voivodeships it is necessary to agree on the date of your visit in advance. This can be done via a special electronic queue form on the website of the respective voivodeship. 

Officially, the application process must comply with strict time limits: 1-2 months for processing documents in the Voivodeship and 30 days for checking the identity of the applicant by various Polish services (police, border control officers, etc.).

List of documents for the Blue Card in Poland:

• Application form filled in according to the official sample.
• Photos (4 pieces).
• The original and a copy of a passport (known as “foreign passport” in the former USSR).
• Work visa.
• Original and copy of the rental agreement.
• Original and copy of the birth certificate.
• Valid work contract for highly qualified employment with a duration of at least 1 year;
• The original and copy of the workbook.
• Original and copy of the candidate’s residence permit.
• The original and copy of the marriage certificate if the spouse intends to reside in the country.
• Application fee of EUR 111

In Poland, the EU Blue Card is issued for the period of the employment contract plus three months but no longer than two years.