All Changes Summary
| Change | Date | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| New application forms | Dec 1, 2025 | Old forms rejected. 2 photos (paper) or 1 digital (MOS) |
| Work permit fees 4x increase | Dec 1, 2025 | Type A: 400 PLN. Posted: 800 PLN. Oswiadczenie: 400 PLN |
| MOS v2.0 mandatory online filing | TBA (2026) | Launch date announced 14 days ahead. Paper accepted until then |
| Visa D fee increase | Jan 1, 2026 | €200 (was €135). Schengen C: €90 (was €80) |
| PESEL in person only | Jan 1, 2026 | No proxy. Must appear personally at city hall |
| Minimum wage increase | Jan 1, 2026 | 4,806 PLN gross (was 4,666) |
| Blue Card salary threshold | Feb 9, 2026 (retroactive Jan 1) | 13,355.34 PLN gross/month |
| Deadline suspension ended | Mar 5, 2026 | Ponaglenie and court complaints available again |
| Stamp duty non-refundable | Mar 5, 2026 | No refund upon refusal or discontinuation |
| Health insurance 50,000 EUR | Jun 1, 2025 | Private insurance min coverage doubled from 30,000 |
| Financial proof increased | Jan 1, 2025 | 1,010 PLN (single), 823 PLN (family) — was 776/600 |
| Restricted professions list | Jun 1, 2025 (law) | Enacted but most powiats have not published lists yet |
| Employer 15-day notification | Jun 1, 2025 | Must report foreign employee job loss within 15 business days |
| Min 10 hours/week | Jun 1, 2025 | Positions under 10h/week don’t qualify for work permits |
| e-Doreczenia | 2026 | Electronic delivery of decisions. Delivered after 14 days if unopened |
| EU Blue Card recast | 2025 | 6-month contract (was 12). 5yr experience without degree. PR after 27 months |
| Child benefits for foreigners | Feb 1, 2026 | Full benefit requires ZUS registration as employed/self-employed |
MOS v2.0: What We Know
The UDSC states the system development is “nearing completion.” The Minister of Interior will announce the launch date at least 14 days in advance. Until then, paper applications are accepted. After launch — paper applications received by the Voivodeship Office will be left without examination (postmark date does not count).
If the system goes down on your last day of legal stay — you have 3 business days after restoration to submit. The filing date counts as the first day of the outage.
Key MOS rules: account is personal (representatives cannot create accounts), old MOS accounts don’t transfer, application must be in Polish, employer signs annexes digitally via email link (30-day validity), submitted applications cannot be edited or cancelled, communication with the office is NOT through MOS (use paper or e-Doreczenia).
What This Means for You
Applying now (March-April 2026): UDSC recommends paper submission if your residence expires soon. Do not wait for MOS if your deadline is approaching. Set up Trusted Profile regardless — you will need it.
Renewing: Use new forms (Dec 2025). Update insurance to 50,000 EUR. Financial proof: 1,010 PLN/month (not 776).
Employers: Budget for 4x work permit fee increase. Update notification processes (15 days). Check restricted professions list for your powiat. Ensure Appendix 1 matches contract exactly.
Application stuck: Deadline suspension ended March 5. File ponaglenie if 60 days have passed.
e-Doreczenia: Set up NOW at gov.pl/web/e-doreczenia. Decisions delivered through it are legally binding. Unchecked = delivered after 14 days.
Sources: gov.pl/web/udsc-en; mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl; Dz.U. 2025 poz. 1620, 1622; Dz.U. 2026 poz. 203; GUS; Fragomen; EC Home Affairs.
Last updated: March 2026. Part of TRC Guide.
Last updated: March 2026. Part of TRC Guide — free, independent immigration information.