When Work Permit Is Not Needed or Not Enough to Hire in Poland

Hiring foreigners in Poland or planning to employ soon? Learn when a work permit is not needed or enough and what to know to stay updated.

Employing foreigners in Poland now comes with new important changes. As of June 1st, new regulations are in force. Don’t miss the section at the end: where we explain situations in which even a valid work permit is not enough!

When the work permit is not required?

Below are the most important cases in which a work permit is not required for a foreigner:

They are a citizen of the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland
They are accompanying an EU, EEA, or Swiss citizen in the territory of the Republic of Poland as a family member of that citizen
They are a family member of a Polish citizen
They are a family member of an EU citizen, who is not an EU citizen themselves, but has the right of residence in Poland
They have the right of permanent residence in Poland under the Act of July 14, 2006, on the entry, stay, and departure from the territory of Poland of EU citizens and their family members
They hold a permanent residence permit in Poland
They hold an EU long-term resident permit in Poland
They have been granted refugee status in Poland
They benefit from subsidiary protection in Poland
They have been granted residence for humanitarian reasons in Poland
They have been granted tolerated stay in Poland
They benefit from temporary protection in Poland
They possess a valid certificate issued under Article 35(1) of the Act of June 13, 2003, on granting protection to foreigners in the territory of the Republic of Poland (Journal of Laws 2025, item 223)
They hold a temporary residence permit for the purpose of studying – Article 144
They hold a temporary residence permit for conducting scientific research, including short-term and long-term mobility for researchers under Article 151(1), Article 151b(1)
They hold a temporary residence permit for family members of Polish citizens or foreigners, granted under Article 158(2)(1) or (2)
They are the spouse of a Polish citizen, holding a temporary residence permit in Poland granted on the basis of marriage
They are the spouse of a person with permanent residence in Poland, holding a temporary residence permit in Poland granted on the basis of marriage
They are the spouse of a person who is an EU long-term resident in Poland, holding a temporary residence permit in Poland granted on the basis of marriage
They hold a temporary residence permit for family reunification – Article 159

Additionally, if the foreigner is legally residing in Poland, the work permit is not required in the following cases:

They are a full-time student
They are a graduate of a higher education institution in Poland
They are a graduate of a post-primary school in Poland
They hold a valid Pole’s Card (Karta Polaka)

When the work permit is not enough to hire a foreigner?

It is important to note that the new law prohibits employing a foreigner even if they have a valid work permit in the case they hold any of the following visas:

A visa issued by another Schengen State
A visa issued for tourism purposes – designation 01
A visa issued for visiting family or friends – designation 02
A visa for education other than studies – designation 11
A visa for medical treatment – designation 14
A visa issued for temporary protection – designation 20
A visa for purposes other than those listed above – designation 23 (does not apply to holders of a valid Pole’s Card)

Additionally, citizens of certain countries staying in Poland under visa-free travel may not be allowed to work legally, even if they obtain a work permit. The Minister of Labour will be authorized to issue a regulation specifying a list of countries whose citizens will be subject to this restriction.

If you have any additional questions or concerns regarding the new regulations, we encourage you to contact our team. Employment of foreign nationals can be complex, and each case may require individual assessment. We will be happy to provide support and help you choose the most appropriate solutions.

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When Work Permit Is Not Needed or Not Enough to Hire in Poland

When the work permit is not required?

When the work permit is not enough to hire a foreigner?

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