Want to relocate from Czech Republic to Poland

[JamesCZ]

Dear all,

I am a South African (non-EU) citizen with permanent residence (after 5 years of continuous stay) in Czech Republic according to Article 68 of the Czech Alien Act (No. 326/1999 Coll.), which also includes long-term residence status in the European Union according to Article 68 of the Czech Alien Act (No. 326/1999 Coll.)

I want to accept a job offer from a research institute in Poland and thus relocate on a long-term basis to Poland. However, I have some questions on how Poland implemented COUNCIL DIRECTIVE 2003/109/EC concerning the status of third-country nationals who are long-term residents when they relocate from a first EU member state to a second EU member state. Unfortunately I could not identify somebody in Czech Republic or Poland who could give me the relevant answers, and I cannot find the relevant information through the internet. Questions are as follow:

1) Will I acquire the right of permanent residence after 5 years of uninterrupted stay in the Republic of Poland?

2) What does ‘permanent residence’ mean in Poland? How does it differ from the ‘settlement permit’? Please keep in mind that I already have long-term residence status in the European Union.

3) Will I receive a single (temporary) residence permit from Poland for a cumulative period of 5 years (after which I will be able to apply for permanent residence in Poland, if possible in my case), or will it be successive residence permits of 1 year each?

4) Will I be submitted to any additional requirements, such as language exams, etc., before I will be able to obtain permanent residence?

It would be HIGHLY appreciated if you could advise me on the above, or direct me to a person or organisation that would be able to supply the answers.