NIP number - can I get this before I am employed?

Can I get NIP before I am employed (just to have it ready) or do I need some sort of document from the employer? I understand it is needed if you wish to receive salary.

It is a lengthy process?

Thanks!

Generally you have to get to have a job first, then after you apply for the nip number. You will still get paid even if its a sometimes take a while. They will give you an emergency NIP number.

I don't recommend even trying. My brother (who's a born and bread Pole, a student) wanted to spare himself the hassle and get NIP before searching for a summer job. He applied for NIP without stating the reason why he wanted it (that is, he didn't include any employer's details on the application). Insted of getting the NIP number, he was called on to explain himself; most probably they suspected he'd been "working black". It took four months of legal correspondence between the tax office and him before they finally understood that he did not in any way break the law nor intended to do so.

He still didn't get the NIP number, of course.

I find that a little strange. I didn't have a job in Poland and I got a NIP-4 without any problem at all. I wanted to import my UK motorbike to Poland and needed to pay tax on it at the Urząd Skarbowy. There they told me I had to do an application for a NIP which was straight forward and I got it a few days later in the post.

Of course it is easy when you are about to pay some tax :-)

i was in the UK for 2 years on that emergency number...still got paid and got my tax back when i left.

Try getting one when you arent going to pay tax. Tough stuff.


Funny you should say that, same thing happened to me back home, though only for a year, and i was 16 at the time.

I don't see the problem. You go to the Urząd Skarbowy. You fill out form NIP-4. You wait one week. You get your number in the post.

At that time I had no pesel, no karta pobytu, no job and only a 3mth zameldowanie.

What problems did you have? Did they not send you the number?

Bensz my friends experience with the NIP mimicked yours. I am hoping to repeat it on Monday but they will likely have changed the rules by then. Wish me luck.

I will be going in to get one tomorrow morning. Is the form pretty straightforward or will I need a Polish friend to help me fill it out?

There is a picture of the form here: britishinpoland.com/blog/2008/10/how-to-get-a-nip-number/

There are actually quite a few sections so I suggest you take someone with you. Plus they will ask you why you want a NIP number too.

Well kinda so that I can get paid and pay them their tax...you would think they would make it easy. After all, do governments not want our money?

Yes, it doesn't make sense at all. Welcome to Poland.