LEGALIZATION OF FOREIGN NATIONALS

Beginning in 2022, Poland will implement a series of measures that will significantly simplify the legalization process for foreign nationals. Let’s look at them more closely:

• It is no longer necessary to confirm your place of residence in order to receive a residence card; all that is required is that you meet the requirements for profitability conditions.

• The minimal income per stay will increase in January 2022, with the applicant having to show a monthly net income of at least 776 PLN and 600 PLN for each dependent (previously the amounts were 701 and 528 PLN).

• Income for the residency card might come from a variety of sources.

• The time limit for deciding on residency cards was set at 60 days.

• The method for changing occupations with residence cards is simplified, but it will become a fee-based service, with data updates costing 220 PLN.

• Minors will be defined as those who were under the age of 18 at the time of filing, regardless of their age at the time of the decision.

• Regardless of the applicant’s age, the Pole’s Card (Karta Polaka) can be obtained based on the presence of a Pole’s Card by the parents or the presence of one by the grandparents.

WAGES AND JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Many international visitors to Poland are concerned about finding work; let’s have a look at some recent changes:

• First, the minimum salary will be increased to 3010 PLN, and hourly pay will be increased to 19.70 PLN.

• Extension of the osdwiadczenie to a total of 24 months (currently 6 months). This will also apply to licenses issued for a specific period of time. Furthermore, time gaps between permits will be eliminated, and the next one will be available immediately after the previous one expires, or when changing occupations.

• Extension of labor exchange privileges (Urzędy Pracy). Previously, labor exchanges were exclusively for people who had lost their jobs or were unemployed; now they will also apply to people who work in the same place but want to change jobs. It will also be possible to upgrade qualifications in the specialization or obtain a new one without being dismissed.

• Paying payments under the “frowned-upon” arrangement is becoming more difficult for Polish companies. Employees will no longer bear any accountability, and the burden will be passed entirely on to employers.

• The good news is that many Polish companies, according to research, plan to increase employee compensation in the next year. More than 70% of business owners agreed with this assertion.

In light of the aforementioned topic of labor, we’d like to remind you of the penalties for illegal employment. This might result in heavy fines, deportation, and a ban.

TAXES

The program known as New Order (Nowy Lad) is supposed to provide a host of improvements. The non-taxable minimum should be raised to 30,000 PLN, and the level at which the enhanced tax (32%) will be applied should be raised to 120,000 PLN; a 17 percent tax would be applied up to this amount. Besides

• Pensions are projected to increase. This will occur not as a result of indexation, but rather as a result of the elimination of taxes on low-income residents in Poland.

• The “tax card” will see an increase in payments in 2022.

• Changes to the system of property taxation are also expected. As a result, the rental costs could rise.

In general, the New Order is likely to bring a slew of tax reforms that would affect both businesses and workers.

HEALTH AND ILLNESSES

The way people are compensated for being on the sick list is going to change. The length of stay in the hospital will now be extended and compensated at an 80 percent rate (instead of 70 percent). At the same time, ZUS staff are given the authority to conduct more thorough examinations of the patients.

The following are some of the other changes:

• Increase the length of possible debt on ZUS payments in voluntary insurance while keeping this type of insurance.

• “Work burnout” can now become the basis for issuing a sick list.

• The possibility of compensating sufferers of COVID-19-related difficulties with monetary compensation is being considered. In Poland, the Fundusz Kompensacyjny Szczepie was formed for this reason. Payments from the fund will be granted to citizens and foreigners who have experienced (are experiencing) adverse health consequences as a result of getting vaccinated against COVID-19 in Poland.

• This comprises a variety of anti-epidemic strategies associated with the spread of coronavirus.

OTHER

Another set of significant advancements is set to take effect in 2022:

• Fines for traffic accidents are being raised.

• New rules for international drivers go into effect.

• Validity of COVID certificates. From the 1st of February, they are reduced to 9 months.