21 May 2026 marked the deadline for EU member states to bring the recast Single Permit Directive (Directive (EU) 2024/1233) into national law. The directive updates the 2011 rules on combined work and residence permits for non-EU nationals — the "single permit" — with the aim of making procedures faster and giving workers more protection.
Denmark and Ireland do not take part in the directive. In Poland, the single permit corresponds to the temporary residence and work permit.
The main changes
- Faster decisions. Authorities should decide on a complete application within 90 days.
- Changing employer. Single permit holders get the right to change employer, subject to notifying the authorities. Countries may require workers to stay with their first employer for a minimum period of up to six months, and may check the new job before the change takes effect.
- Time to find a new job. Losing your job should no longer mean losing your permit straight away: holders may remain unemployed for up to three months — or up to six months if they have held the permit for more than two years — while they look for new work.
- Equal treatment. Single permit holders are entitled to equal treatment with nationals in areas such as pay, working conditions and social security.
- Protection against exploitation. Member states must have effective sanctions for employers who break the rules and accessible ways for workers to lodge complaints.
What it means in practice
The directive sets minimum standards, but each country applies them through its own national law and procedures, and the pace of change varies. Until you have confirmed how the new rules work in your country, do not change employer or stop working without checking first — acting too early can put your residence status at risk.
Talk to us before you switch jobs
If you hold a temporary residence and work permit in Poland and are thinking about a new job, book a consultation and we will check what the move means for your status. Our temporary residence card guide explains the basics.