How to start a company in Poland. Part 2: Self-employment or sp. z o.o.? Differences between Polish companies

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Last time (article here) we talked about what kind of companies can be run in Poland by foreigners. Now that you know that you can start all kinds of companies, it’s time to learn something what are their specifics and differences. As a reminder – all Polish standard types of business activities are: jednoosobowa działalność … Read more

How long does it take to get Residence Permit in each Polish Voivodeship Office?

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Polish Supreme Audit Office (Najwyższa Izba Kontroli or NIK) in one it’s latest reports confirmed what is already well known by all foreigners who want to get residence permit in Poland: Voivodeship Offices (Urząd Wojewódzki) are unable to handle residence permit cases in required time. The audit titled “Przygotowanie administracji publicznej do obsługi cudzoziemców”, provided … Read more

[UPDATE 21.06.2025] How to start a company in Poland. Part 1: What kind of companies can be run in Poland by foreigners?

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The first question that may come to your mind, when you decide to open a business in Poland is probably: “is it even possible to establish and run a company in Poland by a foreigner?”

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7 Practical differences between Permanent Residence and Long Term EU Residence

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As you may know, Permanent Residence permit and Long Term EU Residence have different lists of requirements. But are there any other differences in acquiring and using from each of these permits? Today we list 7 practical differences between Permanent Residence and Long Term EU Residence: Permanent Residence Long Term EU Residence May be granted … Read more

Permanent Residence vs Long Term EU Residence. An up to date list of requirements – comparison and recent changes.

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Below I present you an up-to-date (on 26.10.2019), full list of requirements for permanent residence and long term EU residence. Any recent changes, that are often missing in other articles on the Internet are indicated in green (added) and red (removed).

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Judgements of Polish courts leave no doubt: long residence permit proceedings are a violation of Polish law. Foreigners are entitled to a compensation.

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Each month brings more and more resolved cases for inactivity or a lengthy residence permit proceedings. As many of you know from official statistics (see previous articles) or your own experience, it usually takes around 12 months (in many cases more then 2 years) to receive residence permit decision. Some of you have already decided … Read more

When do you qualify for permanent residence permission according to the new law? Do you need a language certificate and a 10-year residence?

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It came to my attention, that in some Voivodeship Offices (Urząd Wojewódzki) you may get some wrong and/or outdated information about requirements needed to be granted a permanent residence permission in Poland. Polish law regarding foreigners (codified be Act of 12 December 2013 on Foreigners) changes constantly and unfortunately for you, clerks from Voivodeship Offices … Read more

Still waiting for a Residence Card? You can speed up your case and get financial compensation for the slow case conduct.

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As indicated by the latest NIK audit (here), Polish Voivodship Offices (Urząd Wojewódzki) are still unprepared for the large number of applications for residence permits. You can wait up to 3 years to get a temporary residence permit (Residence Card). In the Lower Silesian Voivodship alone, it takes as long as 328 days on average … Read more