Minimum wage and Polish residence card: important changes from 2025

For almost three years Poland has been providing assistance to refugees from Ukraine, providing not only free accommodation in the country, but also opportunities for job search and legalization. From the beginning of 2025, changes in domestic social policy are announced, in particular the increase in the level of minimum wage. They will affect the employment requirements for foreign nationals wishing to apply for a residence card - a temporary residence permit in Poland. 

Salary requirements for a work residence card

Foreigners in Poland can obtain a residence permit on the basis of work. For this purpose, the salary level, regardless of the rate and type of employment agreement (zlecennia, dzelo or work condition) exceeded the amount of the approved minimum gross salary.

The requirement does not apply to persons with a residence card, with a permanent residence permit, as well as for the reason of family reunification. Ukrainian refugees with temporary protection status “ukr” are also excluded. For other groups of citizens, the condition of employment with a certain level of salary must be met. Otherwise, when applying for a visa card for work will be issued a refusal.

When the income is taken into account when receiving the card

The minimum wage is important to justify the application for a residence permit on the basis of employment. For other reasons, there are minimum income criteria. It is relevant for a residence card on the basis of:

• studies (in general and higher education institutions);
• internship;
• volunteering;
• economic activity (entrepreneurship);
• scientific activity;
• family reunification;
• long-term residence in the European Commonwealth.

For such reasons, since 2002, special rates of return have been set at the level of 600 and 776 PLN net. Citizens applying for a residence card for the above reasons can also count on social benefits.

In order to eliminate additional costs and obligations for foreigners applying for a residence card for work, the Polish authorities introduce higher requirements for the minimum income covering the cost of living. There are no benefits for this category of citizens.

Changes in the level of labor remuneration from 2025 in Poland

The government has approved such social indicators for the coming year:

• minimum hourly wage rate - 30.5 PLN gross;
• minimum wage - 4626 PLN gross.

To calculate the amount to apply for a work-related visit card, you need to calculate your total monthly income. Therefore, it is possible to summarize the rates for several contracts in case of several places of employment.

The new rates are taken into account when considering the application for a residence card on other grounds (study, scientific activity, family reunification, etc.) in order to provide foreigners with normal conditions of self-sufficiency. According to the new norms, a person living on his/her own must have a minimum monthly income of more than 1010 PLN. Persons living in a family must receive 823 PLN per month for each member.

Ways to adapt wages for applying for a temporary residence card

According to current Polish legislation, applications for temporary residence must be considered within 60 days. Such a long period may create inconvenience for non-residents of the country who apply in late autumn 2024. Its consideration may fall exactly on January 2025, when new regulations concerning wages come into force.

To protect themselves and justify the application, such citizens should immediately:

• inform their uzhond (Voivodeship Office for Foreigners) about the changes and request a new employment contract;
• present zalonnik 1 - application form with the new rate.

If the temporary residence card was issued before January 2025, accordingly, there is no need to take any measures to change the income assessment criteria for a residence permit - the changes will only need to be taken into account when next submitting documents in 3 years.

The employer is obliged to bring its internal rates in line with the new standards, since rates below the minimum wage are prohibited in the country. After the rate is updated, you can attach a new certificate of income to the application and calmly wait for a positive decision regarding a temporary residence permit. It is important to remember that the employer has no right to worsen working conditions. Due to the increase in wage rates, some companies may experience financial difficulties, and therefore they will try to limit payments to foreign employees. Speculation on documentation and appeal to the precarious status of non-residents are possible. But such attacks can be safely stopped by referring to the current wage standards and approved norms for foreigners. Knowing your rights will allow you to defend a decent salary and obtain the desired type of residence permit.

Read also: The best European countries for employment of Ukrainians

Will the change affect Ukrainians in the status of "ukr"

Citizens of Ukraine who have been in Poland for a long time and do not plan to return home in the near future are considering switching from the temporary protection status of "ukr" to a temporary or permanent residence card.

It is recommended to change the social status in the case of reliable employment, since if a person refuses the temporary protection status, he or she loses the right to social benefits and residence in a temporary refugee camp.

Despite the changes in social legislation, the basic rule remains unchanged - every non-resident has the right to apply for a residence card. In case of discrepancy in the level of wages, its term can be reduced from 3 years to 1 year. During this time, a person who has received a temporary residence permit can improve their employment situation, get established, and then re-apply.