Moving from Mexico to Poland in 2026: requirements and steps

How to settle legally, set up a company, find somewhere to live, bring your family with you and build a new life in Poland. A guide for Mexican citizens.

Moving from Mexico to Poland is not simply a matter of buying a plane ticket, finding a flat and waiting for the authorities to let you stay. It is a process in which you have to coordinate your immigration status, your finances, your housing, your professional activity and, if you are not travelling alone, your family's integration.

The good news is that, as a Mexican citizen, you start with an advantage: you can enter Poland without first applying for a short-stay Schengen visa, provided you meet the entry requirements. This lets you get to know the country, make contacts, look for housing, explore professional opportunities and begin certain company formalities while you are staying legally.

There is, however, a fundamental distinction: entering legally, setting up a company, working and obtaining permission to live in Poland for several years are all different situations.

This guide is designed to show you how to organise the whole process from a practical standpoint, particularly if you want to set up a company in Poland.

We will look at five situations:

1. Single professional with a degree: you hold a bachelor's degree, an engineering degree, a master's or solid work experience and want to develop your career in Poland.
2. Entrepreneur with a minimal investment: you want to start a small business, possibly in professional services, technology, consultancy or trade.
3. Business owner with real capital: you have capital, clients, a Mexican company or a project you want to develop in the European market.
4. Couple or family with pets: you want to move with your spouse or partner, without children or with other adult relatives, and possibly with dogs or cats.
5. Family with children: you need to coordinate residence, housing, schools, healthcare and family stability.

The aim is for you to understand what to prepare in Mexico, what you can do once you arrive in Poland, which formalities you need to complete in your first 90 days and what you will need to settle for the long term.

1. Why might Poland be a good destination?

Poland is a member of the European Union and the Schengen Area. It has a diversified economy, a strategic location in Europe and significant sectors in technology, manufacturing, logistics, business services, trade and engineering.

For a Mexican, settling here can open up opportunities in several areas.

Professionally, you can look for work at international companies, make the most of your technical experience, gain new skills and join organisations that work with clients from many countries.

In business, you can run a Polish company, build commercial relationships within the European market, hire local services, import or export products and develop services for international clients.

For your family, you can access public and private services, find schooling for your children and build a daily life in a different cultural setting.

But it pays to keep your expectations realistic. Poland also has its challenges:

• The Polish language can be a considerable barrier.
• Administrative procedures usually require specific documents and, at times, sworn translations.
• Not every institution offers service in English.
• The housing market varies significantly from city to city.
• Hiring is subject to immigration requirements.
• Running a company involves ongoing accounting and tax obligations.
• Residence permits can take much longer than the initial three-month stay.

That is why a successful move depends as much on your financial preparation as on your ability to organise the formalities properly.

2. Mexicans' head start: visa-free entry for short stays

If you hold a Mexican passport, you can generally travel to Poland under the visa-free regime for short stays.

Initial stay permitted without a short-stay visa: 90 days within any 180-day period.

You can use this period to explore opportunities and carry out activities compatible with your immigration status.

The count includes any days you have spent in other Schengen countries. It does not reset when you cross an internal border.

The Polish Embassy in Mexico confirms this exemption for Mexican citizens.

What can you do during those 90 days?

Depending on the circumstances and the applicable rules, you can use your stay to:

• Look for housing and negotiate a tenancy agreement.
• Visit cities and decide where to settle.
• Apply for administrative procedures for which you meet the requirements.
• Consult lawyers, accountants and business advisers.
• Explore the market and meet potential clients or suppliers.
• Attend business meetings.
• Prepare or incorporate a company, such as a spółka z ograniczoną odpowiedzialnością (sp. z o.o., private limited company).
• Look for job opportunities and attend interviews.
• Research schools and organise your children's education.
• Prepare a temporary residence application if you have a valid legal basis.

What you should not assume is that these 90 days automatically entitle you to do any kind of paid work, or that registering a company grants you residence.

Nor is the visa exemption a Polish national visa. They are different immigration categories.

Can you arrive first and apply for residence later?

Yes. That is a practical route that can work for a Mexican: enter Poland legally and, during that stay, prepare and submit a temporary residence application based on an activity that genuinely meets the requirements.

You do not need a Karta Pobytu (residence card) before your first trip in order to get to know Poland or to start all the steps involved in settling.

The condition is that you put together a viable application and submit it through the correct procedure before your legal stay ends.

Since 27 April 2026, ordinary temporary residence applications (as well as permanent residence and EU long-term resident applications) can only be submitted electronically through the official MOS system (Moduł Obsługi Spraw).

We explain how to do this, and what happens while you wait for a decision, further on.

3. Before leaving Mexico: how to prepare your move

A well-organised move starts before you board the plane.

That does not mean you have to sort out absolutely everything from Mexico. In fact, many steps are easier once you are physically in Poland.

What matters is preparing whatever would be expensive, complicated or impossible to obtain later.

3.1. Personal documents

Prepare a physical folder and a digital one with the following documents, depending on your situation:

Not all of these documents are mandatory for every person or every application. The point is to have to hand those that may be relevant.

3.2. Apostilles: a step best taken care of in Mexico

An apostille certifies internationally the authenticity of the signature and the capacity of the official who issued certain public documents.

Mexico and Poland are both parties to the Hague Apostille Convention, so many Mexican public documents can be used in Poland by this means without any further consular legalisation.

For example, you may need to apostille:

• Birth certificates.
• Marriage certificates.
• Public academic documents.
• Notarised powers of attorney.
• Other official documents required by a Polish authority.

The procedure and the competent authority depend on who issued the document in Mexico.

Important: an apostille is not a translation. In Poland you may also be required to provide an official Polish translation by a sworn translator (tłumacz przysięgły).

3.3. Money: how to avoid problems before you arrive

It is unwise to rely solely on an international transfer that has to arrive just when you need to pay the rent, pay in share capital or cover an emergency.

Organise your funds into three categories:

• Money to live on. It should cover housing, food, transport, insurance, education and family expenses.
• Money to get established. It should cover tenancy deposits, official fees, translations, professional fees, equipment and other start-up costs.
• Your company's money. It should be identifiable and sufficient to fund the company's operations without constantly drawing on the family budget.

If you have a Mexican company and will continue to earn income from Mexico, prepare:

• Bank statements and documentation on the source of your funds.
• Contracts with your clients.
• Proof of invoicing.
• Tax documentation.
• A clear explanation of your international business model.

Polish banks may ask for information on the source of funds, your tax residence and the nature of your transactions.

Do not confuse having money in a bank account with proving that a business is viable. For certain business-based permits, the authorities also assess the economic activity you are actually carrying out.

4. Which Polish city should you settle in?

Not every city works the same way for someone looking for a job, setting up a company or needing to find schools.

Warsaw (Warszawa). A strong option for companies, financial services, consultancy, international trade, technology and large organisations. It is worth carefully assessing the cost of housing and the location of your office or workplace.

Kraków. Attractive for technology professionals, corporate services, higher education and digital businesses. It can also suit you if you are looking for a mix of urban amenities and family life.

Wrocław. Has a strong base in business, industry, engineering, technology and universities. Worth considering if you want to work with European companies or develop a technical project.

Gdańsk and the Tricity (Trójmiasto). The metropolitan area that includes Gdańsk, Gdynia and Sopot can be interesting for logistics, international trade, services and maritime-related projects.

Poznań. Can suit industrial, commercial, technology and distribution companies, especially if you work with suppliers or clients in Central Europe.

Before you choose, compare job opportunities, demand for your services, housing availability, schools, transport and your budget.

If you are moving with children, avoid choosing your permanent home before researching schools. A flat may look perfect and still be a long way from a suitable school.

If you run a digital business whose clients are outside Poland, you may not need to live in the capital or rent a physical office. That can give you more flexibility.

5. Arriving in Poland: your first formalities

In your first few days you will need to solve some very practical problems.

5.1. Finding temporary accommodation

It is best to start with temporary accommodation for a few weeks, if your budget allows.

This will help you get to know different areas, view properties in person and check their condition.

It is not advisable to commit to a long tenancy on the strength of photos alone.

5.2. Getting a Polish phone number

A local number makes it easier to:

• Communicate with landlords and letting agencies.
• Sign up for services.
• Receive communications from your bank.
• Deal with schools.
• Be reachable by suppliers.

You can start with a prepaid (pay-as-you-go) line and later switch operator or move to a contract.

5.3. Opening a bank account

It is worth distinguishing between two needs.

Personal account: to receive money, pay for your housing, use a card and manage your day-to-day spending.

Business account: for your company's transactions, collecting payment from clients, paying suppliers and meeting your obligations.

Not every bank accepts the same documents. Some may require your passport, proof of address, PESEL (national ID number), tax information or documents proving your business activity.

Having a residence application in progress does not guarantee that every bank will agree to open an account for you.

5.4. What is the PESEL?

The PESEL (national ID number) is a personal identification number used in Poland for many administrative procedures.

It is not a visa, an immigration document or a work permit.

You can obtain it automatically when you register your address (meldunek) for more than 30 days, or apply for it by another route where the legal conditions are met.

5.5. What is meldunek?

Meldunek is the administrative registration of your address.

It can be temporary (zameldowanie na pobyt czasowy, temporary address registration) or permanent (zameldowanie na pobyt stały, permanent address registration).

Do not confuse permanent address registration with a permanent residence permit: they are different things.

To register your address you will normally need to prove that you live there, present your identity documents and meet the relevant registration conditions.

Non-EU nationals, such as Mexicans without another European nationality, cannot usually complete this procedure entirely online (gov.pl).

The specific deadlines depend on your situation and your residence status. Check the official procedure with your local municipality (gmina).

5.6. What is Profil Zaufany?

Profil Zaufany means "Trusted Profile".

It is an electronic identification and signature tool used for Polish public services.

You may need it to complete official procedures, including electronic immigration applications.

In MOS, the application is signed with a trusted signature (Profil Zaufany), a qualified electronic signature or a personal signature (podpis osobisty), and a proxy cannot sign it for you. You need a PESEL number to set up a Profil Zaufany.

It is worth sorting this out well in advance, because it can become an obstacle if you wait until the last day of your legal stay to submit an application.

6. Moving through a company: one of the most interesting routes for a Mexican

If you are a self-employed professional, consultant, developer, technology specialist, trader or business owner, you may want to consider setting up a Polish company.

There is one widely used legal form in particular:

Spółka z ograniczoną odpowiedzialnością (sp. z o.o.)

This is a private limited company, comparable in some respects to a Mexican S. de R.L. (sociedad de responsabilidad limitada), although its corporate, tax and administrative rules are different.

A sp. z o.o. can carry on any lawful commercial activity, enter into contracts, issue invoices, hire staff and work with domestic or international clients.

A Mexican citizen can set up or hold shares in this type of company, subject to the applicable requirements.

6.1. Why a company rather than simply working for yourself?

Poland has a sole-trader form called Jednoosobowa Działalność Gospodarcza (JDG, sole proprietorship), registered in CEIDG (the Central Register of Business Activity).

However, not all foreign nationals can use it freely on the same terms.

A newly arrived Mexican on a visa-free stay should not assume they can immediately register as self-employed in CEIDG.

For many non-EU entrepreneurs, the sp. z o.o. is a more accessible corporate structure.

It is particularly attractive when you want to:

• Set up a company with one or more partners.
• Work with European clients.
• Develop digital products.
• Sell technology or consultancy services.
• Run an international business.
• Bring in staff or partners later.
• Legally separate the company's assets from your personal assets, within the limits of the law.

But that separation does not automatically remove the liability that management board members may have for certain debts or breaches.

6.2. How much money do you need to set up a sp. z o.o.?

Statutory minimum share capital: PLN 5,000.

This is the company's capital, not an immigration fee or a payment to the government in exchange for residence.

The minimum is laid down in Polish company law.

You need to distinguish between three concepts:

• Share capital (kapitał zakładowy): the shareholders' formal contribution to the company.
• Incorporation costs: notarial or advisory fees, registration fees, translations and other costs linked to the chosen procedure.
• Working capital: the money the company will actually need to market its services, pay suppliers, maintain its infrastructure and carry out its business plan.

You can set up a company with the statutory minimum capital, but that does not mean the amount is enough to sustain a business or to justify a residence permit.

6.3. How do you set up a company in Poland?

In practical terms, the process involves the following stages.

Step 1. Define the business activity

Decide what you will sell, to whom, how you will generate income and what resources you need.

Setting up a consultancy is not the same as setting up a transport, construction or healthcare company.

Some activities require specific licences.

Step 2. Choose the corporate structure

For many service projects and small businesses, a sp. z o.o. is worth considering.

You need to decide who the shareholders will be, what percentage each will hold and who will manage the company.

Step 3. Obtain a business address

The company needs a registered office.

Depending on its activity, it can use a physical office or a legitimate registered-address or virtual-office service.

The business address does not replace your personal address, nor does it in itself prove that the company has genuine operations.

Step 4. Prepare the articles of association

These set out the company's rules: its name, capital, shares, management and other provisions.

The company can be incorporated through the S24 online system, where the project fits its standard templates, or by notarial deed where a more tailored structure is needed.

For a move involving partners, families and significant investments, it is worth reviewing the articles of association carefully before signing.

Step 5. Register the company in the KRS

The KRS (Krajowy Rejestr Sądowy) is the National Court Register.

Once registered, the company receives its registration number.

Step 6. Obtain or check the NIP and REGON

• NIP: tax identification number.
• REGON: statistical business number.
• KRS: company register number.

These identifiers serve different purposes.

Step 7. Meet the follow-up obligations

Among other things, you will need to assess and deal with:

• CRBR, the Central Register of Beneficial Owners.
• NIP-8 and any other supplementary information required.
• VAT or EU VAT registration, where applicable.
• Company accounting.
• Social security registrations and obligations.
• Access to KSeF, Poland's National e-Invoicing System.
• Contracts and internal procedures.

Step 8. Open the business account

The bank will verify the identity of the representatives, the corporate structure and possibly the source of funds.

Step 9. Start trading

The company must carry on genuine activities compatible with the authorisation held by each person working in it.

This is the stage at which clients, contracts, investments, suppliers and income generation start to carry real commercial weight.

7. Can you apply for residence on the strength of a Polish company?

Yes. There is a specific permit called:

Zezwolenie na pobyt czasowy w celu prowadzenia działalności gospodarczej

In English: temporary residence permit for the purpose of conducting business activity.

It may suit certain foreign entrepreneurs, including those who manage a company in which they are shareholders.

It is not automatic residence for buying shares or registering a company.

7.1. What do the authorities assess?

The immigration authority seeks to establish whether the business activity justifies your stay in Poland for more than three months and meets the criteria set out in law.

The economic conditions include alternatives such as:

The income threshold is 12 times the average gross monthly salary in the voivodeship where the company has its registered office, for the year before the application, as published by Statistics Poland (GUS). For the employment route, the jobs must have been held for at least the 12 months immediately before the application, and the employees must be Polish or EU/EEA/Swiss citizens, or foreigners with permanent residence or another status giving them free access to the labour market (MOS: requirements).

For someone who has just arrived, the third alternative is the one that matters.

The official MOS platform itself acknowledges that a newly formed company can support an application where there is a positive and credible forecast of growth. Its financial resources, investments, economic potential, job creation and innovation are all taken into account.

7.2. What does this mean in practice?

Imagine you arrive in Poland with experience in web development and technology services.

You set up a sp. z o.o. and begin building a commercial operation.

You do not yet have a year of Polish invoicing, but you can document:

• The professional experience of the people involved.
• A viable business plan.
• The capital available.
• Existing clients or contracts, where they can legally be transferred or attributed to the new company.
• Verifiable commercial proposals and opportunities.
• Investments made.
• A strategy for winning clients.
• Well-founded financial projections.
• Marketing and business development activities.
• Potential job creation.

This can help you show that the company is not a sham set up solely to obtain an immigration document.

Even so, the authority may consider the information insufficient and refuse the permit.

7.3. Do you have to have employees?

Not necessarily.

The employment requirement is one of the alternatives provided for in the rules, but not the only one.

Nor is there a set number of invoices that guarantees approval of a business-based Karta Pobytu.

What really matters is that your application meets the relevant legal route and presents convincing evidence.

7.4. Do you have to be a millionaire?

No.

There is no general rule requiring every applicant for business-based residence to invest millions.

However, a company with minimum capital, no clients, no additional resources, no verifiable activity and no well-supported plan may struggle to prove its viability.

The question to ask yourself is not just how much it costs to set up a company.

The right question is: how will you show that your business has a genuine ability to sustain itself and grow in Poland?

8. A key distinction: shareholder, board member and worker

This is one of the points that causes the most confusion.

You can hold shares in a Polish company without that automatically making you an authorised worker.

There are three roles worth distinguishing.

Shareholder

You own part of the company.

You can hold shares, contribute capital and exercise your rights as a shareholder in accordance with the applicable rules.

Owning shares does not, in itself, constitute an immigration permit.

Member of the management board (zarząd)

You take part in the formal management or representation of the company.

In certain circumstances, actually performing this role may be subject to work authorisation requirements.

The law provides for permits linked to performing management functions and specific rules depending on how long the role is held.

Employee of the company

You carry out work or professional activities for the company under a specific legal relationship.

That relationship must have a valid legal basis and comply with the applicable employment, immigration, tax and social security rules.

The business residence permit may affect your ability to perform specific functions, but you should not assume it automatically allows you to work in any position or for any company.

Polish law expressly distinguishes between these situations.

Practical tip: before paying yourself a salary, signing an employment contract or starting to deliver services to clients personally, check which authorisation applies to your activity.

9. How the Karta Pobytu works

Karta Pobytu is the usual name for the residence card.

Technically, you need to distinguish between the administrative residence permit and the physical card that evidences it.

9.1. The MOS system

Since April 2026, the ordinary application procedure has been carried out electronically through:

Official MOS portal.

For a business residence application, the process normally involves:

1. Creating an account in MOS.
2. Identifying yourself through an accepted electronic method.
3. Selecting the correct purpose of residence.
4. Completing the form in Polish.
5. Attaching the required documents.
6. Obtaining the necessary digital signatures, including those of third parties where applicable.
7. Paying the applicable fees.
8. Signing and submitting the application electronically.
9. Saving the official confirmation of receipt.
10. Responding to any later requests for documents, attendance in person and biometric identification.

For business applications linked to certain management functions, an annex electronically signed by the business entity may be required.

The procedure takes planning; filling in a form at the last minute is not enough.

9.2. How much does it cost to apply for residence?

The fees depend on the procedure.

Official MOS information for 2026 sets the stamp duty (opłata skarbowa) at between PLN 340 and PLN 640, depending on the type of permit, plus PLN 100 for issuing the residence card; these are two separate payments, made outside MOS.

These amounts do not include translations, advisory fees or other costs.

9.3. What happens if your 90 days run out while you wait?

If you have correctly submitted an admissible application during your legal stay and the conditions for keeping your stay legal during the procedure are met, you can remain in Poland while the decision is pending.

With MOS, passports are no longer stamped: if the application was filed correctly during your legal stay, a certificate (zaświadczenie) confirming timely filing is issued, generated in MOS (MOS: FAQ).

However, it is essential to understand three points:

• Simply starting a form is not the same as validly submitting an application.
• Staying legally while your case is processed is not the same as holding a work permit.
• The application confirmation does not replace a visa or residence card for re-entering the Schengen Area once your visa-free days are used up.

So, if your 90-day stay has already ended and your right to remain depends on the pending application, leaving Poland could seriously complicate your return.

Do not plan international travel on the assumption that your pending application will let you back in.

9.4. How long does a decision take?

There is no standard decision date you can safely rely on to plan a move.

It depends on the voivodeship, the type of application, the documentation and the authority's workload.

You should prepare your finances for the possibility of a long wait.

Our advice is to submit a complete application and keep every receipt, without assuming you will receive your card once three months have passed.

10. Profile A: you are a qualified professional moving on your own

If you have an engineering degree, bachelor's degree, master's, doctorate or professional experience, you can consider several routes.

You do not need to be an entrepreneur to emigrate, but nor do you need to limit yourself to looking for a traditional job.

Route 1. Look for a job with a Polish company

You can travel legally to explore the market, attend interviews and meet potential employers.

However, to start work you will need the appropriate authorisation, unless an exemption applies.

Which sectors could you look into?

Depending on your knowledge and experience:

• Software development.
• Artificial intelligence.
• Cybersecurity.
• Industrial engineering.
• Logistics and supply chain.
• International finance and accounting.
• Digital marketing.
• B2B sales.
• Shared services and international operations.
• Research and development.
• Project management.
• International trade.

Not every position requires Polish, particularly at some international companies. Even so, English usually broadens your opportunities significantly.

Learning Polish can be important for career progression, dealing with local clients and everyday life.

How should you look for work?

You can use platforms such as LinkedIn Jobs, Pracuj.pl and No Fluff Jobs.

Prepare a CV in English and, where it makes sense for your sector, a Polish version.

It is a good idea to have a portfolio, professional references and documents supporting your qualifications.

Do not wait until you arrive in Poland to start job-hunting. You can build contacts and take part in preliminary interviews from Mexico, saving face-to-face meetings for when you are in the country.

Route 2. Work as an independent professional through a company

If you already have clients, you can consider whether it makes sense to set up a Polish company.

Example: you are an engineer providing consultancy to Mexican companies.

You could assess a sp. z o.o. that legitimately provides international services, provided that the contractual structure, how the work is carried out, residence and taxation are all properly resolved.

The main advantage of this model is that you are not solely dependent on finding a Polish employer.

The difficulty is that you have to build, and prove, a genuine business activity.

Route 3. Have your qualifications recognised and practise a profession

Not all Mexican degrees follow the same procedure.

There are unregulated professions in which an employer can assess your education and experience directly.

By contrast, some regulated activities, especially in healthcare, law, education or other licensed professions, require formal recognition or qualification procedures.

It is worth checking the rules for your profession and the academic recognition mechanisms, including the services of NAWA, the Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange.

Recommendation for this profile: decide before you travel whether your goal is to work as an employee, practise a regulated profession or run your own business. The immigration application changes depending on the route.

11. Profile B: you want to start a business in Poland with a minimal investment

This profile fits, for example, someone with professional know-how but without much capital.

It might be a developer, designer, consultant, marketing specialist, programmer, systems administrator, salesperson or professional who wants to build their own business.

Here it is essential to distinguish between a low-cost company and a company with no economic viability.

11.1. What business could you start?

Businesses that need little physical infrastructure are usually easier to explore at first.

For example:

• Technology consultancy.
• Website development.
• Software development.
• Digital marketing.
• Graphic design.
• Business consultancy.
• Administrative services for companies.
• Business process automation.
• Artificial intelligence services.
• E-commerce.
• Translation and multilingual services, where you have the necessary qualifications.
• Consultancy for businesses looking to enter international markets.

These models may need less initial investment than a restaurant, a shop or an industrial operation.

But that does not mean any activity can be offered without licences or permits.

11.2. What do you really need?

Suppose you want to set up a small digital services company.

Your initial project might include:

The aim is to avoid unnecessary fixed costs without creating a company that exists in name only.

11.3. Can you start with Mexican clients?

Yes, a Polish company can provide services to international clients, including clients based in Mexico.

But it is worth reviewing how you will structure those commercial relationships.

For example, if you currently have Mexican clients, you could consider whether it makes sense for them to contract directly with your new Polish company.

You could also explore a model in which the Polish company provides certain services to a Mexican company.

In both cases you need to analyse:

• Whether the transactions are genuine.
• The contracts.
• Pricing between related parties, where applicable.
• Where the services are supplied and consumed.
• The applicable taxes.
• The tax residence of the people involved.
• Any obligations in Mexico and Poland.

You must not shift invoicing from one company to another merely to give the appearance of income.

The activity must be genuine and properly documented.

11.4. How can you prove viability if you still have few clients?

Prepare a business file containing:

• Business plan. Explain what service you offer, who buys it, how you deliver it and why it is likely to generate income.
• Financial plan. Explain how much it costs to operate, how much you expect to sell and how you will fund the early stages.
• Evidence of experience. Present previous work, projects, references or a genuine business track record.
• Commercial strategy. Show that you have identified your markets, channels and potential buyers.
• Resources. Document available funds, infrastructure, equipment and other relevant assets.
• Verifiable activity. Keep quotes sent, business correspondence, contracts, payments and project documentation.

A good business presentation does not replace economic evidence, but it helps to explain and organise it.

What is the main risk?

Running out of money before the business takes off.

If you intend to stay for several years, you need to plan not only how much it costs to register the company, but how long you can sustain your personal and business life while you build up income.

For this profile, it is advisable to arrive with existing clients or a lawful, verifiable source of income, provided you can maintain it in line with your immigration and tax situation.

12. Profile C: you are already a business owner with capital to invest

If you have a company up and running in Mexico, repeat clients, employees, products or capital to invest, your move can be structured as part of an international expansion.

Here your goal is not just to obtain residence.

You may also be looking for:

• Access to new markets.
• Income diversification.
• Business relationships with European companies.
• Operations in euros and złoty.
• European suppliers.
• Sales of products or services.
• New business lines.
• Technology development.
• An international corporate structure.

12.1. Three ways to approach your expansion

Set up a Polish company

The new company operates as a local entity and carries on its own activity.

It can have international clients, suppliers and staff.

This is a common option when you want your European operation to have its own legal identity.

Set up a subsidiary linked to your Mexican company

If you have a Mexican company, you can consider having it hold shares in a Polish company.

The set-up must be reviewed in line with the company law of both countries.

This model can be attractive if you intend to maintain a lasting commercial or ownership relationship between the two organisations.

Establish a branch

In certain circumstances, a foreign company can establish a branch in Poland.

This is not the same as setting up an independent company: the branch legally belongs to the foreign entity, and specific registration and operating rules apply.

A representative office, for its part, should not be confused with a trading branch, as its scope is far more limited and mainly promotional.

12.2. What is the best option for obtaining residence?

There is no universally superior structure.

The immigration authority will assess your case and the specific legal basis.

A Polish company with documented operations, capital, contracts and economic prospects can provide a stronger business case than a company with no activity.

But a large investment alone does not oblige the authorities to grant you residence either.

Poland should not be presented as if it automatically offered residence in exchange for buying property, depositing a sum of money or registering a company.

12.3. How to prepare a solid business project

A genuine investment project should cover, where relevant:

• Market analysis. Who are your buyers in Poland and Europe? What do they need? Who are your competitors?
• Operating model. Where will your company be based? Who will run the operation? Do you need employees, a warehouse or an office?
• Financial model. What capital will you contribute? When do you expect to start selling? How will you cover your initial obligations?
• Commercial evidence. Do you have European contacts, proposals, contracts or letters of intent?
• Economic impact. Will you bring technology, investment, innovation or jobs?
• Corporate governance. Who will the shareholders and directors be? How will decisions be made?
• Compliance. What taxes, registrations and licences does your sector require?

This preparation matters both for the company's viability and for justifying the economic nature of your stay.

13. Why winning real clients matters

One of the most common mistakes among new business owners is believing that the main hurdle will be registering the company.

The bigger challenge often comes afterwards: generating enough sales to keep it going.

13.1. Where can you find clients in Poland?

If you offer services to businesses, you can use several strategies.

• LinkedIn and B2B sales. Identify people responsible for purchasing, operations, technology or general management at organisations that need your solutions.
• Business networking. Take part in chambers of commerce, industry gatherings, associations and specialist events.
• Local partnerships. A Polish company may have clients who need complementary services. You can explore relationships with accounting firms, technology consultants, agencies, industrial companies or suppliers.
• Professional website. Your company needs to explain clearly its services, terms of business, corporate information and contact options.
• International prospecting. You do not have to limit yourself to Polish clients. You can look at opportunities in other EU countries, Mexico and other markets.
• Trade fairs and exhibitions. These are particularly important for manufacturing, logistics, distribution, machinery, technology and imports.

13.2. What language should your website be in?

That depends on your market.

If you want to sell to Polish companies, it is advisable to have a professional Polish version.

If you work with international companies, English may be essential.

If you keep Mexican clients or are targeting Spanish-speaking businesses, Spanish can also be useful.

You do not need to publish every language from day one, but you do need to decide which market you want to serve.

13.3. How should you document your sales?

Keep:

• Signed contracts.
• Proposals and quotes.
• Correctly issued invoices.
• Proof of payment.
• Deliverables.
• Business correspondence.
• Licences and service agreements.
• Accounting information.
• Evidence of project delivery.

These documents help to show that the company has genuine operations and allow it to meet its obligations correctly.

Not every meeting or potential client equals income. Keep that distinction clear in your projections.

14. Tax and accounting: what you need to understand before opening a company

Setting up a sp. z o.o. creates obligations even when sales are low.

14.1. Corporate tax: CIT

The company is normally taxed under the corporate income tax rules, known as Corporate Income Tax (CIT).

The general rates include 19% and a reduced rate of 9% that applies to certain taxpayers and categories of income when the relevant requirements are met.

This does not mean that every new company automatically pays 9% or that all its income qualifies for that treatment.

You also need to distinguish between what the company earns and what you receive personally as remuneration or profit distributions.

14.2. VAT: the approximate equivalent of Mexico's IVA

Polish VAT operates under national and EU rules.

Depending on the activity, the type of transaction, the place of supply and the buyer, different treatments may apply.

In 2026, Poland's general turnover-based VAT exemption threshold rose to PLN 240,000 a year, subject to conditions, exclusions and pro rata rules for businesses started during the year.

But be careful: if you have clients in Mexico and invoice them from a Polish company, do not assume that all your transactions are exempt from VAT simply because the buyer is foreign.

You need to establish the specific rules on place of supply, type of service and formal obligations.

14.3. KSeF: Polish e-invoicing

KSeF (Krajowy System e-Faktur) is the National e-Invoicing System.

During 2026 it became mandatory in stages for certain taxpayers, with exceptions and transitional provisions.

If you set up a company, your accountant should establish when and how these obligations affect you, including receiving invoices and the treatment of foreign clients.

14.4. ZUS: social security

ZUS (Zakład Ubezpieczeń Społecznych) is Poland's Social Insurance Institution.

Whether you have to pay contributions depends on your situation, the type of company and the way you receive income.

For example, a single-shareholder company may have different contribution consequences from a company with several genuine shareholders.

One way to pay board members is through wynagrodzenie z tytułu powołania, that is, remuneration based on appointment to the board.

It may be treated differently for contribution purposes from an employment contract, but it needs to be analysed properly. Do not assume that any appointment removes all social security or health insurance obligations.

14.5. Can you have a company in Mexico and another in Poland?

Yes, but the two structures need to be coordinated.

You need to analyse issues such as:

• Personal tax residence.
• Permanent establishment.
• Related-party relationships.
• Transfer pricing, where applicable.
• The double taxation treaty.
• Dividend distributions.
• Board members' remuneration.
• Where management actually takes place and where services are actually provided.

Spending more than 183 days in Poland may be relevant to tax residence, but it is not the only criterion. Your centre of personal and economic interests and the provisions of the applicable treaty may also matter.

It is unwise to rely solely on the 183-day rule to decide where you should pay tax.

14.6. Accounting is not optional

A sp. z o.o. has accounting and financial reporting obligations.

You need a professional or firm that understands your business model, especially if you will invoice in several currencies or work with clients outside Poland.

A suitable accounting service should help you keep records, file returns, manage invoices and understand your recurring obligations.

The number of invoices is not the only factor that determines how complex your accounting will be.

15. Profile D: moving with your partner, other adult relatives and pets

When you move with others, you have to coordinate several immigration situations.

One person getting a job or setting up a company is not enough for everyone travelling with them to be able to live and work in Poland automatically.

15.1. Can you travel together?

If you all hold Mexican passports and meet the entry conditions, each of you can individually use the short-stay visa exemption.

However, if the aim is to settle, you need to plan each person's basis for residence from the outset.

If you are legally married

Marriage can be relevant to a family-based immigration procedure.

But there is an important difference: ordinary family reunification with a foreign national living in Poland generally requires the sponsor to hold certain permits or to have a residence history.

For example, one of the routes requires the sponsor to have lived in Poland for at least two years under successive temporary permits and to hold a permit valid for at least one year at the relevant time. There are exceptions for certain immigration categories.

So, if you have just set up a company and are yourself applying for your first business permit, do not assume that your spouse can immediately obtain ordinary family reunification.

Other immigration grounds may be worth assessing, depending on the circumstances. It may also make sense for both of you to have professional or business activities that justify individual applications.

If you are not married

A relationship does not automatically receive the same treatment as a marriage recognised under Polish law.

There may be procedures linked to other circumstances, but their requirements are different and some permits are discretionary.

You should not base your entire immigration plan on a category without confirming that it genuinely applies to your situation.

If you are travelling with adult children or other adult relatives

An adult child, sibling, nephew, niece or other relative does not automatically acquire a right of residence derived from the business owner organising the move.

They may need a basis of their own, such as study, employment or business activity.

There are special categories of residence for family members or dependants, but they are not equivalent to a general permit for any relative.

15.2. Can your spouse work?

That depends on the permit they obtain.

Certain family reunification permits give access to the labour market without an additional work permit.

Other residence permits granted on specific grounds do not necessarily provide that authorisation.

So, before adding your spouse to the company payroll, assigning them duties or hiring them, check their specific immigration and employment situation.

15.3. Should you both be shareholders in the company?

It can be an option, but it should not be decided purely for immigration purposes.

If you will both genuinely take part in the business, you can consider a corporate structure in which you each have defined shareholdings and responsibilities.

It is worth setting out in writing who makes decisions, how rights and obligations are shared and how any disagreements would be resolved.

Nor should you assume that having two shareholders always means lower ZUS obligations: what matters is the reality of the corporate structure and the applicable regime.

16. How to bring your dogs or cats from Mexico to Poland

If you have pets, moving them needs separate preparation.

Veterinary documentation cannot be replaced by a letter from the owner or by your company registration.

16.1. Main health requirements

For dogs and cats travelling from Mexico to the European Union for non-commercial purposes, you will normally need to prepare:

• An identification microchip compatible with European requirements.
• A valid rabies vaccination, given in accordance with the identification rules.
• Compliance with the relevant waiting period after the primary vaccination.
• An animal health certificate in the format accepted for entry into the European Union.
• A declaration of non-commercial movement.
• The documentation required by the competent Mexican authority.
• Compliance with any additional conditions set by the airline and transit countries.

There is one important advantage: Mexico is on the EU list of countries whose dogs, cats and ferrets can enter without a rabies antibody titration test, provided they meet the other applicable conditions.

After a first rabies vaccination, the minimum period of 21 days must generally pass before travel. There are also specific rules on when health certificates are issued and how long they remain valid.

16.2. The Mexican procedure

You should check the current requirements for the export animal health certificate (certificado zoosanitario de exportación) with SENASICA.

The Polish Embassy in Mexico expressly refers people to the European, Polish and Mexican veterinary authorities for these procedures.

16.3. The airline problem

A dog that meets the health requirements may still face transport restrictions because of its size, breed, physical characteristics, the temperature or the type of aircraft.

Some airlines restrict the carriage of certain breeds, even when the health rules allow them to enter.

Before you buy your tickets, confirm:

• Whether the airline accepts your pet's breed.
• Whether it will travel in the cabin, in the hold or under another authorised arrangement.
• What kind of carrier is required.
• Which flights and connections allow animals.
• What seasonal restrictions apply.
• At which airport the EU veterinary entry check will take place.

This is especially important if you have large dogs.

16.4. Finding a pet-friendly flat

Having pets can narrow your housing options.

You should tell the landlord before signing the tenancy agreement.

Ask specifically whether they accept dogs, how many, what size and on what terms.

If the landlord agrees, make sure the permission is put in writing.

It is unwise to sign a tenancy on the assumption that you will be able to negotiate your pets moving in later.

17. Profile E: moving to Poland with children

Moving with children requires more preparation than moving alone.

School, language, transport, housing, healthcare and emotional adjustment all need to be coordinated.

17.1. Can your children go to school in Poland?

Yes.

Foreign children can join the Polish education system under the applicable conditions.

Education is compulsory in Poland from the age of six to eighteen; state schooling for children and teenagers is generally available on terms comparable to those for Polish citizens.

School enrolment does not grant residence, but it is an essential part of the integration process.

17.2. How does the education system work?

School placement does not always mean converting the Mexican school year directly into its Polish equivalent.

The school may take into account the pupil's age, previous education and academic record.

17.3. Do your children have to speak Polish?

Not necessarily to start school.

Foreign pupils with insufficient knowledge of the language can receive educational support, including free additional Polish lessons and, where appropriate, preparatory programmes.

The Ministry of Education provides specific mechanisms for integrating pupils arriving from abroad.

However, you should not take that support as a guarantee that any school will be able to meet every linguistic or academic need straight away.

It is important to ask each school directly what resources it offers.

17.4. How do you find a school place?

Step 1. Identify each child's age and stage

Looking for a place for a five-year-old is not the same as looking for one for a fifteen-year-old.

Pre-school education may have different admission criteria and timetables from primary or secondary school.

Step 2. Research schools before choosing a home

Look for schools within a reasonable distance of the address you are considering.

Consider transport, timetables, language support, educational programmes and availability.

Step 3. Contact the schools

You can ask:

• Whether they have places available.
• Whether they accept newly arrived foreign pupils.
• What documents they require.
• How they decide which year group a child joins.
• What Polish-language support they provide.
• Whether they offer bilingual programmes.
• What the procedure is for joining mid-year.

Step 4. Prepare the documents

Depending on the school, you may need a passport, birth certificate, academic certificates, information about the parents and other documents.

Not all foreign school certificates need formal recognition for admission to an ordinary state school. There are specific admission rules and exceptions.

Step 5. Compare the options

Do not judge on proximity alone.

Also consider academic quality, how demanding the school is, language support and the pupil's real ability to fit in.

17.5. State versus private schools

A state school can be a good option in terms of cost, cultural integration and learning the language.

A private school may offer particular teaching methods, smaller classes, bilingual programmes or an environment better suited to some families.

An international school can be attractive for teenagers who need continuity in an English-language curriculum or who plan to take programmes such as the International Baccalaureate.

But you should not assume that a private school is automatically better than a state one.

For teenagers, especially in the final years of secondary school, it is worth assessing how changing system will affect their school-leaving qualification and their chances of getting into university.

17.6. When does the school year start?

The Polish school year normally starts in September and ends the following summer.

Admissions can take place months before classes begin.

If you arrive in July or August, it may be wise to start contacting schools even before you travel, especially for pre-school and secondary school.

If you arrive during the school year, ask the school directly about the procedure for joining.

17.7. Education and your immigration application

For children under 18, prepare documents proving parentage and, where applicable, parental responsibility, custody or the other parent's consent.

Each child needs their own legal basis for staying.

Do not assume that one parent's business-based application automatically covers all the children.

The right route will depend on the parents' status, the family reunification rules and other applicable categories.

18. How to find a flat in Poland

Finding somewhere to live is usually one of the most important tasks in the first few weeks.

You can use portals such as Otodom, OLX and Morizon to browse properties.

You can also contact letting agencies.

18.1. Understanding property listings

In Poland, the advertised price often does not include all the costs.

You need to identify:

When you ask how much a flat costs, ask for the estimated total monthly cost, not just the base rent.

For example, a property advertised at PLN 3,000 may end up costing more once you add the management fee, electricity, water, heating or parking.

How the charges are made up depends on the agreement.

18.2. What should you check before signing?

Check who the owner or authorised representative is, the terms of the agreement, the deposit and the rules for ending the tenancy.

Also check:

• Whether you can register your address there (meldunek).
• Whether pets are allowed.
• Which services are included.
• How utility consumption is calculated.
• Whether heating is central or individual.
• Whether there are periodic adjustments.
• What happens to the deposit at the end.
• Who is responsible for repairs.
• What conditions apply if you need to end the tenancy early.

Some lettings use a najem okazjonalny (occasional lease), which has particular formalities and requirements. Before signing one, make sure you can meet them.

18.3. Can you find housing without a Karta Pobytu?

You can find landlords who will accept a passport and other documents, but it depends on each landlord, the type of agreement and the length of your legal stay.

Some may ask for additional guarantees.

That is why it is worth having documents that prove your income, funds and ability to pay.

If you are going to apply for business-based residence, you will also need to check what proof of accommodation your application requires.

19. Healthcare, insurance and family life

Your health cover should be organised from the start.

19.1. Initial health insurance

During your initial stay you must have appropriate cover in line with the entry requirements and the type of stay.

It is unwise to assume that you will receive free public healthcare simply because you have a Mexican passport, a PESEL or an immigration application in progress.

19.2. Health insurance in Poland

Poland has a public healthcare system run through the NFZ (Narodowy Fundusz Zdrowia, National Health Fund).

Access depends on having a valid basis for insurance.

Depending on the case, that cover may come from employment, certain activities or contributions, family insurance or permitted voluntary enrolment.

There are also private insurers and medical networks.

For a family, it is worth checking:

• How each adult will be covered.
• How the children will be covered.
• Whether the policy covers specialists and hospital treatment.
• What medical services are available near home.
• Whether care is available in English or Spanish.

19.3. Settling in and everyday life

A move does not end when you obtain an identification number.

You need to organise your everyday life.

Learning basic Polish, understanding public transport, getting to know shop opening hours, signing up for services and adjusting to the winter can make it considerably easier to settle in.

In a family, you also need to consider how the children are adapting and whether all the adults have opportunities for personal and professional development.

20. How much money do you need to emigrate?

There is no single figure.

The budget depends mainly on the city, the number of people, housing, schooling, your business activity and your income.

Rather than relying on a general figure, it is better to prepare a budget in stages.

20.1. Initial costs

20.2. Work out your survival fund

A practical way to estimate it is:

Personal reserve = monthly family spending × months of cover

Then add, separately, your settling-in costs and the company's working capital.

For example, if you estimate that your family will need PLN 8,000 a month and you want a six-month reserve:

PLN 8,000 × 6 = PLN 48,000

That PLN 48,000 would be the living-costs reserve in this example only, not the full cost of emigrating.

Illustrative example of planning capital

This is an exercise to help you plan your reserves: it is not a market quote or a legal requirement for residence. Avoid double-counting costs already included under settling in or operations.

If you are moving with children, it is wise to have more leeway to cope with unexpected costs.

If your company is not yet generating income, you also should not keep using its working capital to pay for family needs without a proper accounting and legal structure.

21. A practical migration plan: from Mexico to Poland in 90 days

The following route is not meant to guarantee that every formality will be completed within 90 days. It is a sequence for making the most of your initial stay, with the priority being to prepare a valid basis for residence in time.

This sequence is a guide only. If you can submit a complete application earlier, you should. You do not have to wait until day 50.

Your immigration clock must be calculated using your actual days of presence across the whole Schengen Area.

For example, if you first arrive in Spain and spend a week there before travelling to Poland, those days also count towards the overall total.

22. The most common mistakes when moving through a company

These are the problems worth heading off at the planning stage.

Mistake 1. Thinking that registering a company guarantees residence

Incorporating the company and obtaining immigration permission are separate procedures.

Mistake 2. Believing you can sort everything out on the last day

A pending apostille, a missing electronic signature or an error in your documents can stop you from submitting an application in time.

Mistake 3. Setting up a company without a real business

Registration in the company register alone does not prove economic viability.

Mistake 4. Spending everything on settling in

You may secure a flat and a legally incorporated company, but run out of money to live on or operate while you wait for income.

Mistake 5. Not checking your partner's and children's immigration status

One family member's business-based residence does not automatically regularise the stay of the others.

Mistake 6. Working without checking your authorisation

Being a shareholder in a company and being authorised to carry out certain work are two different things.

Mistake 7. Not planning the tax consequences between Mexico and Poland

Physically changing your place of residence can change your tax obligations, even if you still have Mexican clients and companies.

Mistake 8. Choosing housing without checking the full costs

You need to work out the rent, management fee, heating, electricity, deposits and any commission.

Mistake 9. Looking for schools too late

In pre-school and secondary school especially, availability can limit your options.

Mistake 10. Leaving Poland while your stay depends solely on a pending application

The immigration confirmation is not a valid document for travelling and re-entering the Schengen Area.

23. Frequently asked questions

Do I need to apply for a work visa before travelling from Mexico to Poland?

Not necessarily for a short-stay trip to explore opportunities, because Mexicans are exempt from visas for short stays under the applicable conditions.

But that exemption does not automatically give you permission to work.

If you intend to take up a job, you will need to meet the relevant employment and immigration requirements.

Can I arrive as a visitor and start setting up my company?

Yes, you can begin the steps to establish a business during a legal stay, provided the activities you carry out are compatible with your status and you comply with the applicable rules.

That does not mean you have unrestricted permission to work or that you will automatically obtain residence.

Do I have to set up my company before leaving Mexico?

No. You can plan to incorporate it after you arrive in Poland.

There are also legal mechanisms that allow certain company formalities to be carried out through representatives or electronic signatures, but you are not obliged to use a remote structure if your plan is to settle and complete the formalities locally.

Can I open a company if I do not yet have a Karta Pobytu?

For certain legal forms, including the sp. z o.o., holding a residence card is not a general requirement for a Mexican citizen to set up the company.

This should be distinguished from the rules for working as a sole trader, a board member or an employee.

Can I obtain residence with a newly formed company?

It is possible, if you meet the legal requirements and can demonstrate a credible economic outlook through resources, investments, activities and documentation.

There is no automatic guarantee of approval.

Do I have to employ two Polish workers?

Not in every case. Employment is one of the economic alternatives in the rules, but there are others.

Can I have a company that invoices only clients in Mexico?

A Polish company can carry out international business operations.

Immigration viability and tax obligations must be assessed on the basis of the actual operations. Having Mexican clients does not, on its own, determine the outcome of a business-based application.

Can I get permanent residence by registering my company?

Not automatically.

Permanent residence and EU long-term resident status have their own requirements. The usual business-based permit is temporary.

Can I bring my wife and children?

You can plan to move together, but you need to check which legal basis will allow each family member to remain in Poland after their initial stay.

Being related does not, on its own, always guarantee immediate derived residence.

Can my children go to school if they do not yet have a Karta Pobytu?

The Polish education system provides for foreign children to be enrolled, but school enrolment and the legality of their stay are separate matters.

You need to deal with both.

Can I drive in Poland on a Mexican licence?

Whether you can drive on a foreign licence depends on the recognition conditions, your documents and how long you have been resident.

Check whether you need an International Driving Permit alongside it and when you need to exchange it for a Polish licence.

Do not confuse the temporary right to drive while travelling with the rules that apply once you establish your habitual residence.

Do I need to speak Polish to live in Poland?

You do not need to be fluent to start settling in, but learning it is highly advisable.

You can handle some matters in English, especially in large cities, but many procedures, contracts and services operate in Polish.

Can I buy a house to obtain residence?

Buying property does not automatically grant immigration permission.

In addition, certain property purchases by foreign nationals may be subject to specific requirements.

Can I travel around Europe once I have a Karta Pobytu?

A valid Polish residence card, together with your passport and under the applicable conditions, generally makes short stays in other Schengen countries easier.

It is not the same as having residence, freedom of establishment or unrestricted permission to work in every EU country.

24. Essential vocabulary for settling in Poland

25. Official resources to consult

These are the main sources for checking the requirements in your case before submitting documents or hiring services.

Rules and procedures can change. It is important to check the conditions in force at the time of each step, particularly for immigration, employment, tax and invoicing.

26. Conclusion: how to turn your plan to emigrate into a viable project

Moving from Mexico to Poland can be an attractive option for a professional, a business owner or a family alike.

If you have a business activity, you can consider a route that does not depend solely on finding a local employer.

You can come to Poland on a legally permitted short stay, get to know the environment, look for housing, explore potential clients, start administrative formalities and prepare a corporate structure that meets your goals.

But you need to understand clearly the difference between setting up a company and obtaining permission to live and work in Poland.

The company must meet its own obligations, and your immigration application must be backed by an activity and a personal situation that fit the law.

If you are travelling with your family, the project needs a second dimension: making sure each family member has a suitable immigration route, housing, healthcare and, where relevant, a school place.

You do not need to resolve every aspect of your new life before leaving Mexico. You do need to arrive with a strategy and act within the legal deadlines.

The most sensible sequence is to prepare your documents and resources, arrive legally, settle in, establish a viable economic activity, submit the relevant immigration applications in good time and keep your obligations up to date as you work towards stable residence.

Emigrating is not just about changing country. It is about building the legal, financial and family conditions that allow you to stay and develop your life plans over the long term.