What it is

The temporary residence and work permit combines in one decision the right to reside and the right to work for a specified employer. The voivode grants it when the purpose of your stay in Poland is work (Art. 114 para. 1 of the Act on Foreigners). A separate work permit is then not needed - you work under this permit (Art. 3 para. 2 point 1 of the Act on the Conditions for Permitting the Entrusting of Work to Foreigners).

Conditions

  • Health insurance with the NFZ (the National Health Fund) or confirmation that an insurer will cover the costs of treatment in Poland. It is also enough that you will be insured in connection with this work (Art. 114 para. 1 point 1 and para. 4a).
  • Pay not lower than that of other employees doing comparable work in the same working time (Art. 114 para. 1 point 4).
  • At least the minimum wage per month - regardless of working time and type of contract (Art. 114 para. 1 point 5). In 2026 the minimum wage is 4 806 PLN gross. If you work for several employers, the sum of your pay counts (Art. 114 para. 4b).
  • An occupation outside the starost's list - the starost (head of the county) may set a list of occupations in which work permits are refused because of the situation on the local labour market (Art. 114 para. 1 point 3 of the Act on Foreigners and Art. 31 para. 3 of the Act on the Conditions for Permitting the Entrusting of Work to Foreigners).

The occupation list and comparable pay conditions do not apply when you are exempt from the obligation to hold a work permit (Art. 114 para. 4).

Requirements for the employer

The voivode also checks the employer. The voivode will refuse the permit, among other things, when the employer (Art. 117 point 1 and Art. 117a):

  • does not pay social insurance contributions or has outstanding income tax,
  • has been punished for certain offences or crimes, for example connected with the illegal employment of foreigners,
  • does not carry out activity that justifies your employment, has suspended it or is in liquidation,
  • does not have the funds to cover obligations arising from your employment,
  • is not a temporary work agency, and the work would be performed for another company.

When the application will not be examined

The voivode will refuse to initiate the proceedings, among other things, when on the day the application is submitted (Art. 116):

  • you are in Poland on a visa issued, among others, for tourism, visiting, studies, training, transit or treatment,
  • you are a worker posted to Poland by an employer from abroad,
  • you run a business in Poland.

The application and Annex No. 1

You submit the application in MOS no later than on the last day of your legal stay (Art. 105 para. 1). The employer fills in and signs in MOS an annex with data on the work: the position, working time, pay and period of work (Art. 106 para. 2). How it works: Annex No. 1. You will find the list of documents in the guide documents for the application, and the costs in the guide fees.

What the decision contains

The permit is granted for the period needed to achieve the purpose of the stay, not longer than 3 years (Art. 98 para. 2). In the decision the voivode indicates the employer, the position or type of work, the lowest pay, the working time and the type of contract (Art. 118 para. 1). You work only on these terms. The residence card carries the annotation "access to the labour market" (Art. 244 para. 1 point 11).

Changes during validity

  • A new employer or different working conditions - usually a change of the permit is needed, at your request (Art. 120 para. 1). See: changing employer and changing work conditions.
  • Job loss - you have 15 working days to notify the voivode in writing (Art. 121 para. 1). See: job loss.

If you have a degree and high pay, compare both routes: Blue Card or residence and work.