On June 1, 2025, several acts amending migration law entered into force partially or fully.
The Act of April 24, 2025 amending the Act on Foreigners and certain other acts, entered into force fully on June 1, 2025.
The main purpose of this Act is the transposition into Polish law of the revised EU Blue Card Directive, on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purposes of highly qualified employment.
Therefore, the Act of April 24, 2025 introduced, among others, the following changes:
- The definition of “higher professional qualifications” has been changed to cover both qualifications obtained as a result of higher education and qualifications obtained as a result of professional experience.
- Long-term (over 90 days) and short-term (up to 90 days in 180 days) mobility routes have been introduced for holders of EU Blue Cards to carry out professional activities in Poland or other EU member states.
The Act of April 4, 2025 amending certain acts in order to eliminate irregularities in the visa system of the Republic of Poland, largely came into force on June 1, 2025, although the changes to the single permit rules came into force on July 1, 2025.
- Post-secondary school completion certificates are excluded from the catalogue of documents confirming knowledge of the Polish language for the purposes of meeting one of the requirements for granting a residence permit for a long-term resident of the European Union;
- It is no longer possible to apply for a single permit while in Poland on a student visa, a visa for participation in sports events, cultural or educational exchange programs, conferences, humanitarian aid programs or holiday work programs; or a visa for conducting cultural activities; or a transit or treatment visa; or a long-term visa (type D) or residence permit issued by another Schengen member state. Prospective single permit applicants with these statuses are now required to first obtain a Polish national work visa.
The Acts of March 20, 2025 on the conditions for the admissibility of entrusting work to foreign nationals, and on the labor market and employment services, entered into force on June 1, 2025.
The most important changes in the provisions of these acts:
- The labor market test is no longer required. Henceforth, the district authorities will establish lists of protected professions which are closed to foreign nationals.
- All application procedures will be digitized.
- Employers must upload a copy of the signed employment contract before the job starts.
- Foreign nationals cannot work less than 25 percent of a full-time job. For jobs of less than 20 hours per week, the work permit will be issued for up to one year.
- Work permits will be issued for up to one year only for companies which have been operating for less than one year.
- Employers have new deadlines for submitting online notifications for, e.g., the date a foreign national starts or terminates employment.
- Fines for illegal employment will increase.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.