Business Immigration · Europe
Poland
Poland’s Article 142 business temporary residence turns on income of twelve times the average wage, or at least two full-time employees, or a genuine operating plan plus a board role. A bare share purchase does not meet the test. A Polish sp. z o.o. is not a karta pobytu.
- Programme
- Article 142 business temporary residence
- Path
- Form company
- Capital / threshold
- Income of 12× the average wage, or at least two full-time employees, or a credible plan plus a genuine board role as then applied. A bare share purchase does not meet the test.
- Relocate / visit
- Yes — substance and role, not a share transfer alone
This overview is general information, not legal advice. Immigration rules, fees, and eligibility criteria change. We verify current requirements with licensed counsel before any engagement. Residence and visa decisions are made by host-country authorities and are never guaranteed.
Country overview
About Poland
Article 142 assesses whether the company generates qualifying income (twelve times the average wage), employs at least two full-time staff, or presents a plan officers will treat as real together with a genuine board role. Buying shares in an existing company, without that substance, does not meet the test.
Relocate is available where the company actually trades or employs. Forming the sp. z o.o. is not the temporary residence. Licensed Polish counsel coordinates the file. Karty pobytu are decided by the voivodeship office.
Average wage and Article 142 practice change. A digital-nomad visa is a separate category. Requirements are verified with licensed counsel before engagement.
Who this is for
Operators who will meet income of 12× the average wage, at least two full-time employees, or a genuine plan plus board role. Not a fit for a bare share purchase treated as residence.
Timeline
Operating evidence plus Article 142 processing is typically many months. Same-week share transfers are not the timeline.
Programme rules, fees, and capital thresholds are set by the host government and change. Figures on this page reflect our latest review and are verified with licensed counsel before engagement.
Residence programmes
What we brief for Pakistani founders
Programme rules, fees, and capital thresholds are set by the host government and change. Figures on this page reflect our latest review and are verified with licensed counsel before engagement.
Article 142 business temporary residence
Form company
Requirements
Income of 12× the average wage, or at least two full-time employees, or a credible plan plus a genuine board role as then applied. A bare share purchase does not meet the test.
Relocate / visit
Yes — substance and role, not a share transfer alone
How we work
From briefing to a filed application
Substance test
A bare share purchase does not meet Article 142. The live tests are 12× average wage, at least two full-time staff, or a credible plan plus board role.
Company as vehicle
The sp. z o.o. operates. Formation is not the temporary residence.
Article 142 filing
Counsel files. The outcome is not guaranteed.
Maintenance
If granted, income, staff, or role conditions still have to be met.
Key considerations
What this corridor is not
- A bare share purchase does not meet Article 142.
- Income of 12× the average wage, or at least two full-time employees, or a plan plus board role.
- A sp. z o.o. is not a karta pobytu.
- Temporary residence is decided by the competent authority.
Also available
Company formation
Forming a Poland company is a separate mandate from residence. If the immigration plan requires a local entity, we coordinate that workstream on its own terms. Formation does not grant the right to live in Poland.
Frequently asked questions
Can I buy shares in a Polish company for residence?
A bare share purchase does not meet Article 142. The statute looks at income, staff, or a genuine plan and board role.
Is a sp. z o.o. the residence card?
No. Company formation is not a karta pobytu. Article 142 is a separate residence assessment.
Is Article 142 guaranteed?
No. The voivodeship office decides. Operating substance still has to be shown.
Consultation
Start a confidential conversation
Tell us what you are building or where you need to move. We respond within one business day.