EU Residence Card in Poland. Myths and Truth

The EU residence card in Poland is not just a document confirming the right to stay in the country. It opens up a wide range of opportunities for citizens of countries outside the European Union, providing them with a status that is as close as possible to the status of EU citizens in Poland. Obtaining a residence card means that a foreign citizen can live and work in Poland on a permanent basis, which significantly simplifies many aspects of life in this country.

Debunking myths and revealing facts about the EU residence card in Poland

There are many popular statements regarding the EU residence card in Poland, which, unfortunately, often turn out to be far from reality. These myths sometimes mislead people who want to obtain this document, which can lead to misunderstandings and incorrect expectations. Understanding the true requirements and conditions for obtaining a residence card is very important, as this will help to avoid unnecessary difficulties and speed up the process. In this article, we will take a detailed look at the most popular myths regarding the EU residence card in Poland and try to debunk them to provide clarity to those planning this process.

Is it possible to get an EU residence card in Poland based only on employment?

In order to obtain an EU residence card in Poland, employment is indeed one of the important conditions, but it is far from the only requirement.
First of all, it is important that a person has been in Poland legally for at least five years. This means that the applicant must have a valid visa or residence permit confirming their legal stay in the country during this time.

Another mandatory requirement is basic knowledge of the Polish language. This requires passing an exam or providing a certificate confirming proficiency in the language. This requirement is related to the need to integrate into Polish society.

In addition, it is necessary to demonstrate that a person is able to provide for themselves and their family. This may be income from work, as well as other sources of income.

Is it true that you can’t leave Poland to get a resident card?

One of the most common myths about getting an EU resident card in Poland is that you can’t leave the country to do so. In fact, this is not true. Leaving Poland is possible, but there are certain restrictions that are important to consider if you want to maintain your status to get a resident card.

The main requirement is that your stay in Poland must be considered continuous. This means that you cannot leave the country for a long period of time. If you leave Poland, your absence should not exceed 6 months per trip, or 10 months in total for all trips.

However, there are exceptions that may justify a long trip. For example, if you work in Poland and your main office is abroad, business trips or the need to be present in another place for work will not be considered a violation of the conditions. Also, if you left with your spouse or close family members for a valid reason, such as for treatment or other important circumstances, this may also be justified. Another exception may be studying at a Polish university, if part of the classes are held abroad.

In such cases, it is important to provide relevant documents confirming the reasons for leaving in order to avoid problems with continuity of residence.

Is the stay under the temporary protective status of Ukrainians counted as continuous for the purpose of obtaining a resident card?

Yes, the stay under the temporary protective status for Ukrainian citizens in Poland can be counted as continuous when obtaining an EU resident card, provided that other requirements established for obtaining this document are met.

Read also: UKR Status or Residence Card?

Is continuous employment in Poland necessary to obtain a residence card?

Continuous employment in Poland is not a prerequisite for obtaining an EU residence card. This is a common misconception, as you can apply for a residence card even if you are not working at the time of application.

If you apply for a residence card based on employment, but you have had a break in employment, you can still apply for the card if your income did not fall below the minimum required level during the period of unemployment.

Is it possible to get a resident card if you are not working under an employment contract?

In Poland, residents can apply for a resident card not only by working under an umowa o prace (employment contract), but also under other types of contracts, such as umowa zlecenia (contract for work) or umowa o dzielo (contract for the performance of work).

Each of these contracts has its own characteristics, but all of them can be grounds for applying for a resident card if you can prove that the income from your work is sufficient to maintain an adequate standard of living.

Does the salary in the employment contract have to correspond to the minimum wage for applying for a resident card?

The salary in the employment contract does not necessarily have to correspond to the minimum wage for applying for an EU resident card in Poland. The main condition is having sufficient income that allows you to support yourself and your family. That is, you can apply for a resident card even if your income is below the minimum wage, provided that it is sufficient to support your stay in Poland.

For one person, an income of at least PLN 776 per month is considered sufficient. This is an approximate amount that is considered acceptable to cover basic living expenses. If you apply for a resident card with your family, then each family member must have an income of at least PLN 600 per month.