Poland has become one of the main destinations for labour migration in Central and Eastern Europe — driven by a growing labour market, geographic proximity to Ukraine and Belarus, and relatively functional (if bureaucratically demanding) work legalisation procedures. For a foreign investor hiring non-EU staff, this means navigating a permit system that varies by nationality, type of work and intended length of stay.

Who can work in Poland without a permit?

Citizens of European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA) member states and Switzerland may work in Poland without any additional formalities. No permit needs to be obtained and no notifications are required.

A number of other categories are also exempt from the work permit requirement, including foreign nationals holding a permanent residence permit or EU long-term resident status in Poland, those with subsidiary protection or refugee status, spouses of Polish citizens, graduates of Polish higher education institutions and full-time students.

Work permits in Poland for non-EU nationals

A permit system applies to all other foreign nationals (non-EU/EEA). The table below summarises the most important permit types:

Permit type For whom? Processing time Note
Type A work permit Non-EU/EEA nationals 1–3 months (statutory; in practice up to 6–12 months in larger cities) Basic type — tied to specific employer and position
Type B work permit Management board members 1–3 months (statutory; in practice up to 6–12 months in larger cities) For companies meeting minimum revenue thresholds
EU Blue Card Highly qualified professionals 2–6 months (depending on the regional office) Min. salary of 150% of the national average (PLN 13,355 gross/month in 2026); stay is legal during processing on the basis of a stamp in the travel document
Declaration on entrusting work to a foreigner Citizens of 4 countries (UA, BY, MD, AM) A few working days Up to 24 months; simplified procedure
Single permit (residence + work) Non-EU nationals applying for residency 3–6 months Combines work and residence permit in one decision

Declaration on entrusting work to a foreigner — the fast track for selected nationalities

For citizens of Armenia, Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine (4 countries), a simplified procedure is available. Note: Russia was removed from the list in October 2022, and Georgia was removed from 1 December 2025 — nationals of both countries must now apply for a standard work permit (e.g. Type A). The simplified procedure involves registering a declaration on entrusting work to a foreigner with the district labour office (PUP). The procedure typically takes a few working days and authorises work for up to 24 months without a full work permit. The registration fee is PLN 400 (as of 1 December 2025).

⚠️ Note: the declaration does not replace a visa The declaration legalises work, but not residence. A non-EU employee must simultaneously hold a valid visa or other residence title authorising work in Poland. Common mistakes: working on a tourist visa (not permitted) or after the visa has expired. The employer has a legal obligation to verify the employee’s residence documents — failure to do so does not remove liability.

How to obtain a work permit in Poland? Type A procedure step by step

  • Labour market test (conducted by the Starosta / District Labour Office head): The employer registers a job vacancy with the district labour office (PUP). If no suitable candidate from the domestic market is found within the specified period, the office issues a statement releasing the employer from the test. In many cases, the labour market test is waived automatically (so-called shortage occupations).
  • Application to the Regional Governor (Voivode): The employer files an application for a work permit with the relevant regional governor’s office (urząd wojewódzki). The application must include the labour market test statement, company documents, the foreign national’s passport and a draft contract.
  • Permit issued: Standard processing takes 1–3 months, though depending on the office and workload it may take longer. The permit is issued to the employer, not the employee.
  • National visa (type D): The employee applies for a visa at a Polish consulate in their country of residence, attaching the work permit. A type D visa authorises stay of up to 1 year and work in Poland.
  • PESEL (national ID number) and NIP (tax identification number) registration: After arrival, the employee registers with the municipality (PESEL) and tax office (NIP). The employer must register the employee with ZUS within 7 days of commencing work.

EU Blue Card — the best route for highly qualified professionals

For specialists earning at least 150% of the national average salary (in 2026: min. PLN 13,355 gross per month — indexed annually in line with GUS average wage data), the EU Blue Card is available — a combined work and residence permit with the right to long-term professional mobility within the EU after 18 months. It is the optimal route for technology companies recruiting globally.

💡 Tip from Destrier Bear in mind that a work permit is tied to a specific employer and a specific position. Any change — promotion, relocation to another group company, modification of duties — requires a full repeat of the administrative procedure. Given that the realistic waiting time in major cities is currently 6 to 12 months, any personnel moves involving non-EU employees must be planned at least six months in advance. Destrier Law Firm manages immigration processes and handles work legalisation procedures end to end.
Hiring or planning to hire non-EU staff? Destrier Law Firm will guide you through the entire legalisation process. Get in touch.

Legal position as of: June 2026. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. We recommend seeking individual legal advice before making any decisions.