Do you need a visa?
Yes. There are two main routes:
- A work permit requested by the employer from the voivode, followed by a national (D) visa for work; or, once in Poland, a single residence and work permit.
- EU Blue Card: a degree or at least 5 years of equivalent experience, a contract of at least 6 months and a salary of at least 150% of the average salary of the previous year, published by the statistics office (GUS).
Government of Poland: EU Blue Card
Documents and where to get them
In your country, before you leave
- Passport, valid for the whole move; the visa is issued in the passport.
- Birth certificate (and marriage certificate, if married). Usually with an apostille (or legalisation) and a certified translation; check with the embassy.
- Criminal record certificate from your country of nationality and, if different, from where you lived recently: visa applications often require it. Request it close to the date it will be used.
- Degree, transcript and references from previous jobs, digitally, with certified translations if the visa asks for them.
In Poland
- PESEL (identification number): requested at the municipality; many employers, banks and health services ask for it.
- Lease: for the residence registration and the PESEL.
- Public health insurance (NFZ): the employer registers you with social security (ZUS).
Step by step
Before you leave
- Sign the contract and confirm in writing the gross annual salary (in złoty or euros) and the contract type: employment contract (umowa o pracę) or B2B, which changes the deductions. The plan estimates the net in euros for an employment contract.
- Wait for the work permit and apply for the national visa.
- Find housing.
- In your country, tell the authorities you are moving: update your registered address and your tax residence. In the year you leave, tax may be due for the part of the year you were still resident.
First week
- Apply for your PESEL at the municipality.
- Open a bank account.
First month
- If you entered on a visa, prepare your residence application at the voivode's office before the visa expires.
- Check the contributions (ZUS) and tax on your payslip.