Published: 25.09.2026

• 2026-09-25Poland Clarifies Legal Stay While a Residence Application Is Pending

  If an application for temporary or permanent residence, or EU long-term resident status, is submitted on time and without formal deficiencies, the stay in Poland remains legal until the decision becomes final. A passport stamp confirms lawful stay but does not by itself authorize border crossings; a valid passport is also required.

• 2026-09-23Poland maintains a separate procedure for asylum and international protection

  The source describes an asylum application procedure handled by the Office for Foreigners (UdSC). Refugee status provides a five-year residence permit, while subsidiary protection provides a two-year permit; both forms of protection include access to work, social assistance, healthcare and a route toward citizenship.

• 2026-09-19Poland’s Foreigners Act sets the framework for residence permits and departure obligations

  The Foreigners Act regulates entry, visas, temporary and permanent residence, EU long-term-resident status and the duty to leave. According to the source, a temporary residence permit is issued for the period needed for the purpose of stay, for no more than three years; a timely application without formal defects makes the stay legal until a final decision.

• 2026-09-19Poland’s 2026 rules define tax residence and tax reliefs for newcomers

  A person is treated as a Polish tax resident if Poland is their centre of vital interests or they spend more than 183 days there during the tax year; residents report worldwide income. Certain newcomers may qualify for a four-year exemption covering up to PLN 85,528 of annual income, subject to statutory conditions.

• 2026-09-14Poland Reduced First Residence Permits for Non-EU Nationals in 2025

  According to Eurostat data cited by the source, Poland issued 467,000 residence permits valid for more than three months in 2025, 4.4% fewer than in the previous year. While issuance increased across the EU, Poland issued fewer first permits for work, study, family reunification and international protection.

• 2026-09-02Temporary protection for Ukrainians in Poland is listed through 4 March 2028

  According to the source, Ukrainians in Poland can obtain temporary protection status through PESEL UKR, which is listed as valid until 4 March 2028. Visa-free entry is intended for short stays and does not by itself allow a person to remain in Poland permanently.

• 2026-08-10Poland Extends Temporary Protection for Foreigners Until 4 March 2028

  Poland has extended the temporary-protection regime until 4 March 2028. The extension applies to foreigners residing in the country under temporary protection.

• 2026-08-04Poland ends issuance of temporary-protection certificates and relies on PESEL UKR

  From 5 March 2026, the Office for Foreigners no longer issues certificates confirming temporary protection. A PESEL number with UKR status is used as the official confirmation, while an electronic document in the mObywatel app serves as a residence document; certificates issued earlier remain valid until the end of 4 March 2027.

• 2026-08-03Polish residence-permit applications moved online through MOS on 27 April 2026

  According to the source, from 27 April 2026 applications for temporary, permanent and EU long-term residence permits are submitted electronically through the MOS system using login.gov.pl. The source also lists application fees of PLN 340–640 and a standard residence-card fee of PLN 100.

• 2026-07-31Conditions for Poland’s CUKR residence card for Ukrainians updated

  Ukrainian citizens with valid UKR status may obtain a three-year CUKR residence card if they have held temporary protection for at least 365 days and retain UKR status when applying and when the card is issued. The card replaces temporary protection, provides full access to the Polish labour market and allows business activity under the same conditions as Polish citizens.

• 2026-06-23Ukrainians in Poland can apply for the CUKR card through MOS 2.0

  From 4 May 2026, Ukrainian citizens can apply for a CUKR card through the MOS 2.0 system. The card provides unrestricted access to the Polish labour market and allows business activity in Poland.

• 2026-06-12Poland Says It Will Not Participate in the EU Migrant Relocation Mechanism

  Polish authorities said the country is exempt from the EU migrant relocation mechanism and related costs. Poland intends to implement only those provisions of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact that strengthen border control, return procedures and action against irregular migration.

• 2026-06-07Karta Polaka Facilitates Legal Residence in Poland

  Karta Polaka holders can use the card to obtain a Polish national visa through a simplified procedure, work without a special permit and conduct business under conditions similar to residents. The card is valid for 10 years, and applicants must provide documents confirming Polish ancestry or ties to the Polish nation.

• 2026-06-03Breaches of Polish stay and work rules may lead to return decisions and entry bans

  The source lists breaches including overstaying a visa or residence permit, working without the required authorization, using a stay purpose that no longer matches the actual situation, and failing to leave after a return decision. Consequences may include a return decision and a re-entry ban covering Poland and other Schengen countries.

• 2026-05-29Poland accepts only biometric passports from Russian citizens from 1 April 2026

  From 1 April 2026, Russian citizens cannot enter Poland with a non-biometric passport. Entry through the Schengen external border requires a biometric passport, as well as a visa and documents proving the purpose of the trip.

• 2026-05-29Karta Polaka provides a facilitated route to legal residence in Poland

  Karta Polaka holders can apply for residence in Poland and subsequently for Polish citizenship, with fee exemptions available for certain procedures. Sources also state that holders are exempt from work-permit requirements and may conduct business under conditions similar to residents.

• 2026-05-28Poland Restricts Entry of Russian Citizens in 2026

  Russian citizens entering the Schengen area through Poland need a biometric passport and either a Schengen visa or a valid residence permit. Poland has restricted entry for Russian nationals under its 2026 entry rules.

• 2026-05-14Poland clarifies rules for residents keeping foreign bank accounts

  After returning to Poland, residents may keep accounts in EU, EEA and OECD countries without restrictions. Accounts in other countries generally may not be kept for more than two months after the end of the foreign stay without an individual foreign-exchange permit from the NBP; quarterly reporting may apply when foreign assets and liabilities exceed PLN 7 million.

• 2026-04-13EU Citizens in Poland Must Register Their Residence After Three Months

  EU, EEA and Swiss citizens staying in Poland for more than three months must register their residence with the voivode. The application is submitted in person no later than the day after the three-month period ends; applications for temporary residence permits generally must be filed by the last day of legal stay.

• 2026-04-10Entry/Exit System Is Operational at All Polish Border Crossings

  Poland’s Border Guard says the Entry/Exit System is operational at all 71 road, rail, air and sea border crossings. It registers biometric data of non-EU nationals and automatically tracks the 90-day stay limit within a 180-day period.

• 2026-04-02Pomeranian Voivodeship Clarifies Residence Procedure for Seasonal Workers

  Foreigners planning to perform seasonal work in Poland for more than three months must apply for a temporary residence permit before their current lawful stay expires. The procedure requires, among other documents, proof of a seasonal work visa or visa-free entry, a seasonal work permit, income, health insurance and accommodation.

• 2026-04-02Poland clarifies residence rules for workers posted by foreign employers

  Workers posted to Poland by a foreign employer for more than three months must apply for a temporary residence permit before their current legal stay expires. The procedure requires, among other things, a valid type C work permit, proof of stable income and accommodation; the residence permit may be issued for up to three years.

• 2026-04-02Poland has a separate temporary residence procedure for Belarusians holding a D21 visa

  Belarusian citizens who stay in Poland immediately before applying on the basis of a valid national D21 visa can apply for a temporary residence permit for humanitarian reasons. The permit is granted once for three years, exempts the holder from a work permit requirement and provides full access to the Polish labour market.

• 2026-04-02Karta Polaka holders can apply for permanent residence in Poland

  Foreigners holding a valid Karta Polaka who intend to settle in Poland can apply for a permanent residence permit before their lawful stay expires. The permit is issued for an indefinite period and allows work without a separate work permit; applicants must document their intention to settle in Poland.

• 2026-03-24Poland Tightens Cross-Border Sanitary Controls for Agricultural Workers and Cargo

  Amid a surge in avian flu, Poland has introduced tighter sanitary and documentation controls for agricultural workers and cross-border cargo. According to the source, the measures may lead to additional border checks and delays.

• 2026-01-22Poland significantly increases fees for foreigners’ work permits

  From 1 December 2025, the fee for a work permit valid for up to three months rose from PLN 50 to PLN 200, while fees for longer permits and employer declarations increased from PLN 100 to PLN 400. The fee for a permit for a foreign worker posted to Poland rose from PLN 100 to PLN 800; the fee for seasonal-work permits remained unchanged.

• 2025-12-12Poland Tightens Immigration Procedures and Moves Residence Applications Online

  As part of its immigration reform, Poland introduced additional requirements for work permit applications, including copies of all completed passport pages and further declarations. From 1 December 2025, fees, forms and work-permit exemptions changed; fully electronic submission of residence applications through the MOS system was expected from January 2026.

• 2025-12-11Poland changed visa-free entry rules and began implementing the EES

  From 12 October 2025, Poland began the gradual implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES) and changed visa-free entry rules for nationals of countries covered by bilateral visa-waiver agreements. The changes concern crossing the Schengen external border.

• 2025-11-03Poland restricts work access for certain categories of entrants

  From 1 June 2025, foreign nationals entering Poland on family-visit visas, non-degree study visas or under visa-free arrangements can no longer work in the country. The measure is part of Poland’s 2025–2030 migration strategy, which emphasizes controlled and selective labor migration.

• 2025-11-03Poland Tightens Requirements for International Students

  In 2025, Poland strengthened verification of international students’ prior education and language proficiency. The measures include a B2 language requirement, university reporting of non-attendance, and a 50% cap on international students.

• 2025-10-21Poland considers stricter requirements for recognition as a citizen

  A presidential bill proposes increasing the minimum residence period for recognition as a Polish citizen from three to ten years for people holding permanent residence permits or EU long-term resident status. The government is also considering stronger checks of an applicant’s genuine connection to Poland and knowledge of the Polish language.

• 2025-09-22Poland’s Sanctions Regime Provides for Entry and Residence Bans on Nationally Listed Persons

  According to the legal overview, Poland’s national sanctions list may include persons and entities linked to support for Russian aggression or human-rights violations in Russia and Belarus. Listed persons may face, among other measures, asset and economic-resource freezes as well as bans on entry and residence in Poland.