Short-Term Mobility
Designed for a researcher who already holds qualifying researcher residence in another EU Member State and intends to conduct research in Poland for a limited period.
🇵🇱 Poland
Researcher Mobility
Move Your Research Activities to Poland
← Back to Poland
Poland participates in the European researcher mobility framework, allowing qualifying third-country national researchers who already hold a valid research residence permit or long-stay visa issued by another participating EU Member State to carry out part of their research activities in Poland.
Depending on the duration of the research stay in Poland, the researcher may use Short-Term Researcher Mobility or Long-Term Researcher Mobility.
CETO Global Immigration Consulting & Partners assists international researchers and research institutions in assessing EU mobility requirements and coordinates the Polish immigration process together with qualified legal and immigration professionals.
What is Researcher Mobility?
Researcher Mobility allows a qualifying third-country national researcher who already holds appropriate research residence in another EU Member State to conduct part of the same or related research project in Poland.
This framework is different from an ordinary first-time Polish Research Residence application.
The researcher already has qualifying researcher status in another participating Member State.
Who Can Qualify?
The pathway can potentially be relevant for a third-country national who:
- Holds a Valid Research Residence Permit or Long-Stay Visa Issued by Another Participating EU Member State
- Has a Qualifying Research Project
- Intends to Carry Out Part of the Research in Poland
- Works with a Qualifying Polish Research Institution
- Satisfies the Applicable Mobility Requirements
Short-Term Researcher Mobility
A qualifying researcher may carry out part of their research activity in Poland under short-term mobility for up to 180 days within any 360-day period.
180 DAYS WITHIN ANY 360-DAY PERIOD
Short-Term Mobility Requirements
The Polish research institution must generally notify the competent authority of the researcher's planned mobility. The notification should demonstrate matters such as:
- Researcher's Identity
- Existing Research Residence Status
- Research Project
- Polish Host Institution
- Planned Duration
- Hosting Agreement or Equivalent Documentation
- Financial Resources
- Healthcare Coverage
For qualifying short-term mobility, the researcher does not generally need to obtain a completely new ordinary Polish Research Residence Permit.
Long-Term Researcher Mobility
If the researcher intends to conduct research in Poland for a period exceeding the short-term mobility limit, a separate TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMIT FOR THE PURPOSE OF LONG-TERM MOBILITY OF A RESEARCHER may be required.
TEMPORARY RESIDENCE PERMIT FOR LONG-TERM MOBILITY
Who Can Use Long-Term Mobility?
- Hold Qualifying Researcher Residence in Another Participating EU Member State
- Intend to Continue Qualifying Research in Poland
- Work with a Qualifying Polish Research Institution
- Satisfy the Applicable Residence Requirements
Application Purpose
The purpose of residence must be the continuation of scientific research or development work in Poland under the European researcher mobility framework.
Polish Host Institution
The research activity must be carried out with a qualifying Polish research institution.
The Polish institution plays an important role in both Mobility Notification and Long-Term Residence Documentation.
Research Documentation
Depending on the mobility type, documentation can include:
- Valid Passport
- Research Residence Permit or Long-Stay Visa from First EU Member State
- Hosting Agreement
- Research Project Documentation
- Confirmation from Polish Research Institution
- Financial Documentation
- Healthcare Documentation
- Accommodation Information
Financial Resources & Healthcare
The researcher must demonstrate sufficient resources to cover living expenses, accommodation, healthcare, and return or onward travel. The exact financial requirement depends on the applicable Polish rules.
The researcher must also demonstrate qualifying health insurance or healthcare coverage valid for the Polish stay.
Family Members
Researcher mobility can also provide rights for qualifying family members.
Where a family member already holds qualifying residence as a family member of the researcher in the first EU Member State, they may potentially accompany the researcher to Poland under the applicable mobility framework.
- Short-Term Family Mobility
- Long-Term Family Mobility
Mobility Comparisons
Long-Term Mobility
Based on an existing qualifying researcher status issued by another participating EU Member State, for periods exceeding the short-term limit.
Ordinary Research Residence
Designed for a researcher whose principal qualifying research residence is being established directly in Poland.
Researcher vs. Blue Card Mobility
Researcher Mobility
Designed for scientific research and development activities.
EU Blue Card Mobility
Designed for highly qualified employment.
Different eligibility and employment requirements apply.
Examples
Researcher from Germany
A third-country national holds a qualifying Researcher Residence Permit issued by Germany and needs to spend four months conducting part of a project in Poland. They may potentially use Short-Term Researcher Mobility.
Longer Research Project
A researcher holding qualifying residence in France intends to spend one year working with a Polish research institution. They may need to obtain Long-Term Researcher Mobility Residence.
Our Process
- 01
Existing Status Review
We verify the applicant's researcher residence permit or long-stay visa issued by the first EU Member State.
- 02
Mobility Duration
We determine whether the planned Polish research period falls under Short-Term or Long-Term Mobility.
- 03
Polish Host Institution
The Polish research organisation and planned research project are reviewed.
- 04
Research Documentation
Research, hosting and mobility documentation is coordinated.
- 05
Notification or Residence
Depending on the duration, the appropriate notification or residence procedure is coordinated.
- 06
Family Mobility
Where applicable, mobility options for qualifying family members are assessed.
- 07
Research Activity
Following completion of the applicable procedure, the researcher can carry out the qualifying research activity in Poland.
- 08
Future Strategy
Alternative Polish residence pathways can be assessed if Poland becomes the researcher's principal residence.
Important Information
Can any foreign researcher use this route?
No. The researcher must already hold qualifying researcher residence issued by another participating EU Member State.
How long can short-term mobility last?
Up to 180 days within any 360-day period.
Do I need a new Polish residence permit for short-term mobility?
Generally not where the EU researcher mobility conditions and Polish notification requirements are properly satisfied.
Can I work for a normal Polish company?
Researcher mobility is based on qualifying research activity. It should not be treated as unrestricted access to ordinary Polish employment.
Related Polish Pathways
Research Across Europe
European Mobility for International Researchers
The EU researcher mobility framework allows qualifying researchers to conduct international research projects across participating Member States without restarting the entire immigration process in every country.
CETO can assess the researcher's existing EU status, planned Polish research activity and mobility duration and coordinate the appropriate Polish procedure together with qualified legal and immigration professionals.