Poland

If you are not an EU/EEA or Swiss citizen, you need a residence permit and, in most cases, permission to work. The main routes:

• Graduates of Polish universities (first-cycle, full-time second-cycle or doctoral studies) can get a temporary residence permit for 9 months to look for a job or start a business – only once. Apply in person at the voivode’s office right after you finish your studies, while your stay is still legal.
• EU Blue Card (Niebieska Karta UE) – for highly qualified jobs paying at least 150% of the average wage in the national economy in the previous year; Statistics Poland put the 2025 average at PLN 8,903.56 a month. The permit is issued for 3 months longer than the job, for at most 3 years.
• Work permit (zezwolenie na pracę) – for most other jobs your employer needs a work permit for you, and you need a visa or residence permit. Since 1 June 2025 new rules apply: instead of the labour market test, district authorities can list occupations for which no work permits are issued in their area.

All residence permits are explained by the Office for Foreigners (Urząd do Spraw Cudzoziemców) on gov.pl/web/udsc.