EU Blue Card
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What is the EU Blue Card
The EU Blue Card (Blue Card Poland, Niebieska Karta UE) is a permit to stay and work in Poland for highly qualified specialists from non-EU countries. Formally, it is not a separate physical document but a specific type of temporary residence permit — "zezwolenie na pobyt czasowy w celu wykonywania pracy w zawodzie wymagającym wysokich kwalifikacji", governed by Chapter 3 (Articles 127–138) of the Act on Foreigners. The card is issued for up to 3 years and grants the holder broader rights compared to a standard temporary residence card: simplified mobility within the EU, favorable family reunification terms, and an accelerated path to permanent status.
Who can get the Blue Card
Several conditions must be met at the same time:
-
Confirmed high qualification — a higher education diploma or at least 5 years of professional experience at a level comparable to higher education -
An employment contract for work in a profession requiring high qualifications -
A salary not below the established threshold (see below) -
Valid health insurance -
Citizenship of a non-EU country
Income threshold for the Blue Card in 2026
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Average remuneration in the economy for 2025 | PLN 8,903.56 gross (announced by GUS on February 9, 2026) |
| Minimum threshold for the Blue Card (150%) | PLN 13,355.34 gross/month |
Important: only the base salary specified in the contract counts toward the threshold — bonuses and variable pay components are not taken into account. Funds in a bank account also do not substitute for the requirement of stable income. Since April 2026, the threshold multiplier has become more flexible for shortage occupations (primarily IT) — this may lower the actual threshold for certain professions; please check the current conditions for your profession during a consultation.
Blue Card vs residence card — what's the difference
| Parameter | Blue Card | Regular temporary residence card |
|---|---|---|
| Mobility in the EU | Simplified relocation to another EU country after 12 months | No |
| Family rights | Spouse gets the right to work without a separate permit; children get free education | Depends on a separate family reunification basis |
| Path to permanent status | Accelerated — after 33 months, or 21 months with Polish B1 | Standard — usually after 5 years |
| Own business (JDG) | Allowed as a supplementary activity, on equal terms with citizens | Requires a separate basis |
| Income threshold | Mandatory, 150% of the average salary | Depends on the basis, not always fixed |
Changing employer and employment
As of June 1, 2025, a Blue Card decision no longer specifies a particular employer or position — holders of a card issued after that date may freely change employers and have full access to the Polish labor market, provided the qualification and salary requirements are maintained. For IT specialists, starting April 2026, changing employers within the first year of holding the card only requires an electronic notification to the authority via the MOS 2.0 portal, without filing a new application from scratch — provided the same professional profile is maintained.
Blue Card and your own business
Blue Card holders are entitled to run their own business (JDG) on equal terms with Polish citizens — but this is only permitted as a supplementary activity to the main job in the highly qualified profession, not as a replacement for the employment contract.
Path to permanent status
The Blue Card provides accelerated access to EU long-term resident status or permanent residence — usually after 33 months of legal residence, or after 21 months with confirmed knowledge of the Polish language at level B1 (instead of the standard 5 years).
What documents are needed
-
A foreign passport -
A higher education diploma or documents confirming 5 years of professional experience -
An employment contract specifying the position and salary -
Proof of salary not below the established threshold -
Health insurance -
A biometric photo -
A receipt for payment of the fees (stamp duty + card production fee)
How the application procedure works
- Concluding an employment contract with an employer on terms matching the Blue Card requirements
- Submitting the application online via the MOS portal to the Urząd Wojewódzki at the place of work/residence
- Paying the fees
- Attending biometrics
- Waiting for the voivode's decision (decyzja wojewody)
- Collecting the card
How long does it take to process the application
The official processing period usually does not exceed 90 days, but the actual duration depends on the workload of the specific voivodeship office and the completeness of the document package.
Common reasons for refusal
| Reason | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Salary below the threshold | Only the base salary is counted — if it is below 150% of the average salary, the application will be refused |
| Insufficient proof of qualification | The diploma is not recognized as equivalent, or the work experience is less than 5 years for professions without a diploma |
| Contract not matching a highly qualified profile | The position does not meet the requirements for work requiring high qualifications |
| No health insurance | The policy was not obtained at the time of submission |
What changed in the rules in 2025–2026
-
Since June 1, 2025, Blue Card holders have had the right to freely change employers without a specific position being stated in the decision -
Since June 1, 2025, running one's own business (JDG) as a supplementary activity on equal terms with Polish citizens has been allowed -
Since February 9, 2026, a new income threshold has been in effect — PLN 13,355.34 gross/month (150% of the average salary for 2025) -
Since April 2026, the threshold multiplier has become more flexible for shortage occupations (primarily IT), and family members of IT specialists holding a Blue Card have gained immediate unrestricted access to the labor market, including B2B and self-employment
Is a higher education degree mandatory for the Blue Card?
No — the diploma can be replaced by at least 5 years of professional experience at a level comparable to higher education, for the relevant specialization.
Can I move to another EU country with a Blue Card issued in Poland?
Yes, after 12 months of legal residence in Poland, a Blue Card holder can take advantage of simplified mobility and move to work in another EU country without a new visa, subject to local conditions.
What counts toward the salary threshold?
Only the base salary specified in the employment contract — bonuses and variable allowances are not taken into account when checking compliance with the threshold.