Changing employer and residence card — what you need to know to avoid losing your residence

Changing employers is one of those moments when a foreigner loses their legal status — often completely unaware. Simply signing a new contract without checking how it affects your permit can mean that the basis for your residence has ceased to exist. After the 2025 reform, responsibilities are divided between the employee and the employer, and the deadlines are short and unforgiving. This post explains how to go through a job change safely.

Why changing jobs affects your residence card

If your residence card based on work is based on a single permit for temporary residence and work, that permit is tied to a specific employer and conditions indicated in the application. You change employer — you change the foundation on which your residence stands. This cannot be "left unsaid"; the office must know about it.

Who reports the change and within what timeframe

After the amendment, the obligation to inform the voivode about job loss also rests with the employer — they have 15 days from the end of employment. Previously, this was solely the employee's obligation. General response times have also been shortened from 3 to 2 months. For you as an employee, one conclusion follows: do not delay and do not assume that "the employer will report it for me".

What to do when you change jobs — step by step

1. Check your residence basis before you sign anything — whether the permit is linked to your current employer.
2. Determine whether you need a permit amendment or a new one — it depends on what is changing (employer, position, conditions).
3. Ensure continuity — so that no gap in work legality arises between one employment and the next.
4. Make sure notifications are made — yours and your employer's.
5. Consult if you have doubts — in this area, a mistake can be costly.

What if you've lost your job

Losing employment does not necessarily mean immediate loss of residence, but it triggers deadlines. You usually have a specified time to find new work or regularize your situation. If the office issues an unfavorable decision, remember the possibility of appealing the decision — but it's best not to let it get to that point by reacting earlier.

Most common mistakes

• assuming that the employer "will handle the notification",
• signing a new contract without checking its impact on the permit,
• a gap in work legality between two employments,
• delaying until the last day of the deadline.

FAQ — changing employer and residence card

Can I start work with a new employer immediately? It depends on your permit and its conditions. Sometimes a permit amendment or a new one is necessary — assess this before starting work.

Who reports job loss? After the amendment, the employer also has this obligation (15 days). The employee should also take care of their own situation.

Will I lose my card if I change jobs? Not automatically, but the change affects the basis of residence and requires an official response. Without it, you risk losing your legal status.

How much time do I have after losing my job? Specific deadlines apply (shortened after the changes). Do not delay — the sooner you react, the safer you are.

Don't risk your residence — consult the change

Before you change jobs, contact us — we'll check your situation and handle the formalities so that you don't lose the basis for your residence. You'll find broader context in the guide to residence legalization.