Starting from 2025, Poland will change the minimum wage requirements, which affects the receipt of a residence card. Find out about the new minimum wage rates, peculiarities of paperwork and important nuances for foreign workers, including Ukrainians, in Poland

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On January 1, 2025, Poland will introduce significant changes to the minimum wage. These changes will have a significant impact on the process of obtaining a residence permit for foreigners working in the country. More details on what will change and how it will affect employees and employers are provided in the article below.

Read the previous article on residence permit vs. temporary protection in Poland: what is the difference and what Ukrainians choose.

New minimum wage requirements for a residence card in Poland

According to Polish law, in order to obtain a residence permit on the basis of work, it is necessary that the salary specified in the employment contract is not lower than the minimum gross salary. This rule applies regardless of the type of employment contract (whether it is an employment contract, an employment agreement or a dzielo contract).

Important to note:

● Even if you work part-time, your salary must not be lower than the full minimum wage.

● This requirement applies only to a temporary residence card based on work.

● It does not apply to a residence card, permanent residence card or a family reunification card.

If your salary does not meet the conditions, you will be denied a residence permit. The only exceptions are Ukrainians with temporary protection, for whom special conditions are provided.

Important! The changes will affect not only those who are only planning to apply for a residence card, but also those who have already applied for it but have not yet received a residence permit.

New Polish minimum wage rates from January 1, 2025

In accordance with the Decree of the Council of Ministers of Poland, the following indicators are set as of January 1, 2025:

1. Minimum wage for work: 4666 PLN gross.

2. Minimum hourly rate: 30.50 PLN gross.

These indicators are key for applying for a residence card.

Please note! The salary cannot be less than the minimum wage, regardless of the type of employment contract. However, it is allowed to sum up the income under several contracts, and the main thing is that the total income must not be less than the established minimum wage.

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What if you have already applied for a residence card?

If you have already applied for a residence card, but the deadline for consideration is on or after January 1, 2025, you need to:

1. Submit an annex or a new employment contract to the Użęd (the relevant authority).

2. Submit a new Annex 1 (zalącznik 1) with the increased rate indicated.

If you have already received a decision (decisio) on the beat card, no additional actions are required. However, it is worth remembering that under the work-based card, the employer has no right to worsen the terms of remuneration.

Specifics for Ukrainians with temporary protection

There are certain peculiarities for Ukrainian citizens with temporary protection status:

● The law does not provide for refusals to provide a residence card.

● The residence card will be issued for 1 year instead of 3 years.

By the way, Ukrainians have the opportunity to register at the labor exchange in Poland. How to do this and what it entails were described in the previous article.

Changes in the minimum wage legislation and their impact on the process of obtaining a residence card significantly affect the life and work of foreigners in Poland. It is important to keep abreast of innovations and respond to them in time to ensure a comfortable and legal stay in the country. In the light of these changes, qualified legal assistance in migration matters becomes especially important. Professional lawyers can:

● Provide detailed advice on the new requirements.

● Help you to properly prepare the necessary documents.

● Represent your interests in court.

● Ensure a smooth process of obtaining or extending a residence card.

Contact Visit Ukraine's migration law specialists to avoid mistakes and save time when applying for residence and work in Poland.

We remind you! Poland has changed one of the state aid programs that Ukrainians could previously count on. Now, not all citizens of Ukraine will be able to receive assistance. Read who will be able to receive child benefits and under what conditions the assistance is provided in our previous article.

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