Poland Summary Guide

Poland Residence

EU/EEA Residents. Poland is a member of the European Union, so residents of the EU/EEA may enter the country freely to work and live for up to three months. A passport or other form of valid photographic ID is adequate to allow entry to the country. After this time, an individual must apply for a temporary residence permit (usually valid for two years) but will have to produce evidence of why they wish to stay, in the form of an employment contract, verification that they are starting a business (including self-employment) or marrying a Polish citizen. A permanent residence permit may be applied for after three years, once a temporary residence permit has been issued and held for that period of time.

Non-EU/EEA Residents. Citizens of many non-EU/EEA countries require a visa to enter Poland, with the exceptions, currently, being those from:Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Costa Rica, Chile, Croatia, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, South Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua, New Zealand, Panama, Paraguay, Salvador, San Marino, Singapore, Switzerland, the USA, Uruguay,and Venezuela.

Citizens from countries outside the EU/EEA are normally required to have a work permit, although there are exceptions, including foreign media workers, artists, entertainers and members of the clergy. For those not included in the exempt groups, the criteria for issuing a work permit are strict. The conditions for the issue of a temporary residence permit as described for EU/EEA citizens are the same.

All visitors to Poland must register at the local registration office (Urzad Meldunkowy) within three days of arriving in the country. Dependant family members must also apply for a residency permit and a work permit if required.

Residence permits will be issued by the Department of Citizen Affairs of the Voivodeship Office and a permit costs PLN30.

Poland Summary Guide Contents

Poland Summary

Poland Summary Chart

Poland Residence

Taxation of Business People in Poland

Living and Doing Business in Poland

Business Forms in Poland

Latest Comments

Expat Brit

Hi,

I am facing a dilemma and would like to invite any reader to advise me.

I am a Brit who has lived outside UK since 1993- initially in Belgium (5 years) & subsequently in 4 African countries. After a year outside UK, the UK Inland Revenue confirmed my status as ‘non-resident’ for tax purposes and as I have had no income in UK, I have not completed a UK tax return for many years. I visit UK very rarely, normally for one or two weeks per year.

In May 2011, I was made redundent by my employers, who were downsizing. This coincided with a move to retire in the Netherlands, where I now have official residency (my wife is Dutch). I thought that, at 63 years of age, I would be unlikely to find suitable employment; in fact, I have not tried hard and had resigned myself to permanent (but slightly premature) retirement.

However, to my surprise, I have recently been approached (through a mutual acquaintance) by a company that wishes to use my skills on a project in the Isle of Man. The role, if & when confirmed, would see me working for about 10 days a month in Isle of Man, with about 5-7 additional days per month, working from home. Contract will be for about two years. The firm has asked me to confirm if I would prefer to be paid (and therefore be taxed) in Netherlands or Isle of Man, the idea being that I create a self-employment entity for this employment. I have no data on which to base a response. Given Isle of Man's traditional ‘low tax ‘environment, are there any benefits to declaring an income in IOM? Are there any Isle of Man residency implications? Netherlands takes a tax cut on total world wide income, and, as I have never had any contact with the Dutch authorities, I am reluctant to start such a relationship now. Do I have to declare income in both countries, with a breakdown prorata to the time spent in each jurisdiction? Should I declare income to UK Inland revenue?

If anyone has pertinent advice on these points, I’d be grateful to hear them.

TJM @ Eindhoven, NL

T. Dog

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Jersey vs. Malta??

Hi, I live in South Africa, and along with 2 business partners (one in South Africa and one in Ireland - all South African citizens though) are setting up a company that designs Smart phone applications. As they will be sold on the various platforms (none of which operate out of South Africa)we have to list our company as operating out of Ireland anyway. As such, we have decided to set up our company in the best tax country and are wanting info on whether Jersey or Malta is best? If anyone has some inside info we would really appreciate it!! Thanks!Mary

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Purchasing investment-link insurance for my staff

Would that count as income tax to my staff? And would that count as expense to my company?Michael

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Irish crisis - effects on small business?

Hi all,

Just wondering if anyone 'on the ground', as it were, might be reading and able to help me...I was considering relocating my hairdressing business from the UK to Ireland before the economy started to go properly belly-up...now, not so much.

Are things as bad as they seem over there, or is it being over-hyped by the media? And is the government still keen to support small business people? Cos if not, I'll look elsewhere...

Thanks,Kate

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Living in France contracting to Australian company

I am moving full time to France in Jan 2012 where I will be working as a freelance contract engineer to a number of Australian based companies. It is my choice to move to France not a work requirement. I will be renting my house out in Austrlalia and renting a house while I am in France. I hold both EU & Austrlain citizenshiip. I am married with 2 young children. Approx total family income $100k AUD.
Do I pay tax in France or Australia or both ?
Any help or guidance would be much appreciated.France move

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