How long can you stay in Poland without work based on blue card?

Blue Card is a residence permit that can be acquired by foreigners who perform work that requires high qualifications. But what should you do in case of having your contract terminated? How long can you stay in Poland without work?

Blue Card Residence Permit

The Blue Card, officially called ”temporary residence permit for the purpose of performing work in a profession that requires high qualifications” has many advantages over a regular residence and work permit (you can read more about requirements and benefits of a blue card here).


Work contract termination

As any residence permit, your Blue Card is strongly connected with the purpose of your stay in Poland. In case of Blue Card, that purpose is work for a specified employer.

In case your work contract is terminated (whether by you, your employer or both of you), you are obligated to inform the wojewoda (Urząd Wojewódzki) about it within 15 days of contract termination (this means after termination period if over, you have 15 days to inform about contract termination).

There is no special form used to inform about this. You should prepare and submit a letter with this information to wojewoda.


How long can you stay in Poland based on a Blue Card without work?

As a Blue Card holder, you can stay without work for up to 3 months in total during each of your Blue Card residence permit durations. Also you cannot have more then 2 unemployment periods during each of your Blue Card residence permit duration.

If you receive a new Blue Card, both allowed unemployments and their duration “resets” and you can start fresh.

If these allowed unemployments and their duration are to be exceeded, you have to apply for a new residence permit to be able to stay in Poland. This new permit can be based on any new reason, including job-seeking or education.

Otherwise, if you won’t find new work within these timeframes or apply for a new residence permit, your Blue Card will be revoked.


Would you like to know more? Do you need assistance with informing about your work contract termination or applying for a new residence permit?

Feel free to contact us and take advantage of our services.

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