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Work permit and residence card: where to start

Work and residenceHLBC

Who needs a permit, how a visa differs from a residence card and how to prepare for the electronic procedure.

European Union citizens can work in Poland without permits. Non-EU nationals usually need a work permit and a residence document: a national visa or a residence card.

The most common routes

  • work permit and national visa
  • single permit for residence and work (residence card)
  • EU Blue Card for highly paid specialists

Applications are filed electronically. The employer has notification obligations and must provide a contract in a language the employee understands. We do not handle citizenship matters.

This article is general in nature and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Legal status as of 17 October 2026.

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