An EU Blue Card is a residence route for highly qualified employment. A sufficiently high salary is important, but it is not the only condition. Your qualifications, employment terms and admissibility of the application also need to fit the Polish rules.
The 2026 salary figure
The official MOS information gives the 2026 annual gross threshold as PLN 160,264.08, equivalent to PLN 13,355.34 gross per month. It is based on 150% of the previous year’s average remuneration. Use the threshold for the relevant application year; an older salary figure should not be reused automatically.
Check the remuneration actually established in your contract. Do not assume that an informal bonus estimate, expenses reimbursement or a possible future raise will satisfy the requirement. Ask for a review of the contract wording if the amount is close to the threshold.
Employment and qualifications
The voivodeship office’s document guidance describes a contract lasting at least six months and evidence of higher professional qualifications. The Polish rules were amended in 2025; generic pages describing the old one-year contract requirement can mislead.
Higher education and qualifying professional experience are different evidence routes. Experience exceptions depend on the occupation and the legal criteria. Read degree or experience? rather than assume that any CV replaces a diploma. Regulated professions require separate attention to professional authorisation.
Prepare a coherent evidence set
| Area | What to review |
|---|---|
| Employment | Employer, duties, contract type, duration and contractual remuneration |
| Qualifications | Diploma or appropriate evidence of professional experience, related to the work |
| Residence | Current lawful stay, application timing and any restrictions on the route |
| Application | Current form, required employer information, identity documents and payments |
Keep job duties specific enough to explain why the qualifications are relevant. A generic title such as “specialist” tells the reviewer less than a clear account of the actual role.
Compare routes before applying
The Blue Card is not a promise of a faster decision. It also does not automatically let you take any job in any EU country. Mobility and later changes have their own conditions. Our comparison with a standard work residence permit focuses on choosing a route, while job changes deals with later events.
How we support the application
STAYLEGAL prepares your application, coordinates documents with your employer and supports you as the case progresses. We first discuss the job, qualifications and current status, then agree the scope. See EU Blue Card support for the fee and what is included.