The EU Blue Card after 1 June 2025 – new rules on mobility

The EU Blue Card after 1 June 2025 – the new mobility rules completely transform the way highly skilled foreign nationals move between European Union countries. The reform, implemented in Poland on 1 June 2025, introduced short-term and long-term mobility, simplified the process of changing employers and enabled faster entry into the labour market in another EU country. These changes stem directly from Directive (EU) 2021/1883 of the European Parliament and of the Council, implemented through an amendment to the Act on Foreigners.

Reform of the EU Blue Card from 1 June 2025 – implementation of Directive 2021/1883

From 1 June 2025, a new model for the residence permit for non-EU specialists will come into force, as Poland has transposed the provisions of Directive 2021/1883 into its national legal system. The reform was introduced through an amendment to the Act on Foreigners and certain other acts. The aim of the changes is to increase the competitiveness of the EU labour market by attracting highly qualified professionals from outside the European Union.

The EU Blue Card forms part of the European Union’s migration system and constitutes a temporary residence permit for the purpose of working in a profession requiring high qualifications. This system was designed by the European Union institutions as a tool to address shortages of specialists in sectors such as information technology, engineering and medical sciences. Directive 2021/1883 replaced the earlier Directive 2009/50/EC and introduced more flexible mechanisms for mobility and the recognition of professional qualifications.

Poland, as a Member State of the European Union, has implemented these regulations through an amendment to the Act of 12 December 2013 on Foreigners. The reform introduced, amongst other things, new definitions of mobility, simplified procedures for changing employers, and broader powers for the public authorities responsible for administering the EU Blue Card scheme and for the exchange of information between EU Member States.

The effect of the reform is clear: the EU Blue Card after 1 June 2025 – the new mobility rules have transformed the residence permit into a tool for genuine professional mobility within the EU labour market, enabling specialists to move between Member States without having to start the migration procedure from scratch.

Short-term mobility – working for up to 90 days in EU countries

Short-term mobility allows the holder of an EU Blue Card to work in another European Union Member State for up to 90 days within any 180-day period. This mechanism was introduced directly in Directive 2021/1883 and transposed into Polish law through an amendment to the Act on Foreigners.

Short-term mobility means the possibility of entering and carrying out professional activities in another EU Member State without the need to obtain an additional work permit. The condition is holding a residence permit bearing the annotation ‘EU Blue Card’ issued by a Member State of the European Union. In accordance with the definition introduced into the Act on Foreigners, this mobility covers activities directly related to the employee’s professional duties.

In practice, short-term mobility includes participation in industry conferences, commercial negotiations, specialist training or consultancy work carried out on behalf of the employer. Such activities form part of the professional work carried out in the economic interest of an employer operating in the EU labour market.

The new provisions set out in Article 25(1aa) of the Act on Foreigners have introduced an additional documentation requirement for foreign nationals entering Poland on the basis of short-term mobility. If the residence permit was issued by an EU Member State outside the Schengen Area, the foreign national must demonstrate that their entry into and stay in Poland are linked to the performance of professional activities.

This short-term mobility mechanism supports the free movement of specialists within the European Union and enables companies to quickly second staff to carry out international projects.

Long-term mobility – transferring work to another EU country

Long-term mobility enables the holder of an EU Blue Card to relocate the centre of their professional life to another EU Member State after at least 12 months of lawful residence. This mechanism is one of the most important elements of the reform of the migration system introduced by Directive 2021/1883.

Under the provisions of the Act on Foreigners, a foreign national who has resided in an EU Member State on the basis of an EU Blue Card for at least one year may move to another EU country and start work as soon as they submit an application for a residence permit under the long-term mobility scheme. This arrangement significantly reduces the time taken to enter a new labour market.

In Poland, this procedure is governed by the provisions of the Act on Foreigners relating to long-term mobility. An application for a residence permit under the long-term mobility scheme is submitted to the relevant provincial governor, and the foreign national’s legal status is maintained from the date of submission of a complete application until an administrative decision is issued.

The long-term mobility scheme operates throughout the European Union. Member States exchange information on the status of foreign nationals via the relevant administrative authorities responsible for matters relating to foreign nationals.

The new regulations enable companies operating in several EU countries to quickly transfer specialists between their branches. As a result, the EU Blue Card has become a practical instrument for professional mobility within the European single market.

Minimum salary and requirements for EU Blue Card holders

Obtaining an EU Blue Card requires meeting clearly defined conditions regarding professional qualifications and salary levels. In accordance with the provisions of the Aliens Act, a foreign national’s salary must meet the statutory salary threshold set for work in a highly skilled profession.

The level of this threshold is linked to the average wage in the economy and is subject to periodic updates.

An amendment to the Act on Foreigners has also introduced more flexible rules for documenting qualifications. Higher qualifications may be confirmed not only by a higher education degree, but also by relevant professional experience demonstrating specialist competences.

In certain professions, particularly in the new technologies sector, the option has been introduced to demonstrate qualifications through professional experience gained in the relevant field. This measure increases the availability of the EU Blue Card for specialists in sectors such as information technology and telecommunications.

The introduction of flexible eligibility criteria implements the provisions of Directive 2021/1883, which aims to enhance the competitiveness of the European Union’s labour market in the global competition for highly qualified specialists.

Changing employers and greater flexibility in employment

The new regulations allow holders of an EU Blue Card to change employers after a specified period of employment in a given EU Member State. Previously, this procedure was more restrictive and often required a new residence permit to be obtained.

Under the amendment to the Act on Foreigners, a foreign national should notify the relevant provincial office of a change of employer. It is not necessary to go through the full procedure for obtaining a new EU Blue Card, provided that the employment still relates to a highly skilled occupation and the statutory remuneration conditions are met.

The new regulations have also introduced an extended period of protection in the event of job loss. If a foreign national has been residing in Poland under an EU Blue Card for a prolonged period, they may remain unemployed for a specified period without the risk of their permit being automatically revoked.

These regulations strengthen the stability of the employment situation for specialists from third countries and enhance Poland’s attractiveness as a place of work for highly qualified employees.

The new role of administrative bodies in the mobility system

The reform of the EU Blue Card system has expanded the powers of the Polish public administration bodies responsible for migration policy and the handling of procedures concerning foreign nationals.

In accordance with the provisions of the Act on Foreigners, the administrative authorities responsible for matters relating to foreign nationals participate in the exchange of information with institutions of other European Union Member States regarding the mobility of EU Blue Card holders.

These authorities also participate in the transfer of data concerning the operation of the EU Blue Card scheme to European Union institutions, which enables the monitoring of the mobility of highly qualified professionals within the EU labour market.

Strengthening the role of national public administration bodies is intended to ensure the coherence of the migration system across the European Union and to enable effective monitoring of the legality of the employment of foreign nationals.

The significance of the EU Blue Card for the labour market in the European Union

The EU Blue Card is one of the most important tools of the European Union’s migration policy, aimed at attracting highly skilled workers from outside the EU. This instrument has a direct impact on the functioning of the EU labour market by increasing the mobility of professionals.

The European Union introduced the EU Blue Card scheme to compete with migration programmes operated by countries such as Canada and the United States. This gives companies operating in Europe easier access to the global talent pool.

The new mobility rules introduced after 1 June 2025 make this migration scheme even more attractive. A skilled worker employed in one EU Member State can move relatively quickly to another EU country and continue their professional career without losing the rights associated with their residence permit.

A system structured in this way also promotes the integration of foreign nationals into the European labour market and enhances the competitiveness of the European economy in sectors requiring high qualifications.

Extended rights for family members of EU Blue Card holders

The amendment to the legislation has also introduced facilitations for family members of foreign nationals holding an EU Blue Card. These provisions were introduced into the Aliens Act with the aim of enhancing the stability of residence for highly qualified specialists in European Union countries.

Family members may obtain a temporary residence permit for the purpose of family reunification in accordance with the provisions of the Act on Foreigners.

Family members of an EU Blue Card holder are also entitled to work in Poland without having to obtain an additional work permit. This measure enhances the integration of foreign families into the labour market and the social systems of EU Member States.

The extension of family rights is one of the elements of the reform of the EU Blue Card system, as the stability of family life is a key factor influencing the career decisions of highly qualified professionals.

What do the new mobility rules mean for highly skilled foreign nationals?

The new regulations simplify migration procedures for professionals from outside the European Union. Thanks to the reform of the mobility scheme, a foreign national holding an EU Blue Card can pursue their professional career across several Member States without having to restart the residence authorisation process from scratch.

The introduction of short-term and long-term mobility enables the posting of employees between branches of companies operating in different European Union countries, which increases the flexibility of businesses operating in the single market.

The new regulations, which come into force on 1 June 2025, form part of wider changes to the system governing the legalisation of residence and work for foreign nationals in Poland.

As a result, Poland, as a Member State of the European Union, has joined the European system for attracting highly qualified specialists, which increases the professional mobility of foreign nationals and supports the functioning of the EU labour market.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can an EU Blue Card holder work in several EU countries at the same time?

Yes, under the short-term mobility scheme, it is possible to work in another EU Member State for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. This is subject to holding a valid EU Blue Card and meeting the entry requirements of the country in question. In some cases, it may also be necessary to provide documents confirming the professional purpose of your stay.

What do you need to do to move to another EU country for work on a long-term basis?

To take advantage of long-term mobility, you must first have been legally resident in an EU country for at least 12 months on the basis of an EU Blue Card. After this period, you can move to another Member State and start work as soon as you have submitted an application for a new residence permit. The procedure is simpler than when you first obtained your permit.

Does changing employer after obtaining an EU Blue Card require a new permit?

After one year of legal employment under the EU Blue Card, it is possible to change employers without having to obtain a new permit. However, you must inform the relevant provincial office of the change in employment. The new job must still meet the conditions set out for EU Blue Card holders.

How long can an EU Blue Card holder remain unemployed?

New regulations have extended the permitted period of unemployment. If a foreign national has been residing in Poland under an EU Blue Card for at least two years, they may remain unemployed for up to 6 months. During this time, they should actively seek new employment that meets the conditions of the permit.