Category: Poland

Discover key changes in employing foreigners in Poland for 2025: no labor test, full digitization, new permit rules, contract obligations & stricter checks. The new regulations regarding the employment of foreigners in Poland were passed by the Senate on March 13, 2025, and adopted by the Sejm with amendments on March 20, 2025. The law was signed by the President of the Republic of Poland on April 10, 2025 and is now awaiting publication in the Journal of Laws. It will come into force on the first day of the month following 14 days after its official publication. At this stage, we already know it will not be May 1st – the most likely effective date is June 1st. Several new updates have been made regarding employments of foreigners in Poland, as we will summarize it for you in this article.  1. Elimination of the labor market test The obligation to conduct a labor market test, which required checking if there were any available Polish candidates for a given job position, is being eliminated. This change aims to simplify the procedures and accelerate the process of obtaining work permits for foreigners. 2. Full digitization of procedures The process of obtaining work permits will be fully digitized. Applications will be submitted via the electronic system. Additionally, employers will be required to upload copies of the contracts signed with foreign workers into the system before the worker’s job starts, and for seasonal work, this must be done within 7 days after the job begins. 3. New rules for issuing work permits The minimum work time for a foreigner to work in Poland is at least 1/4 of a full-time job. If the foreign worker works part-time or less (a maximum of 20 hours per week), the work permit will be issued for a maximum of one year. 4. Obligation to submit the contract Employers will be required to submit a copy of the employment or civil law contract signed with the foreign worker into the electronic system before the employment begins. 5. Work permits for new entities For newly established companies, a work permit for a foreigner will be issued for one year if the company has been operating for less than one year. 6. Reasons for refusal to issue work permits A work permit will not be issued if the entity has outstanding social security contributions or if the sole purpose of the application is to facilitate the foreigner’s entry into Poland without genuine employment intentions. 7. Increased inspections and fines for illegal employment of foreigners The National Labor Inspectorate (PIP) and the Border Guard will be authorized to conduct simultaneous, unannounced inspections of employed foreign workers in Poland. This means more frequent and thorough inspections, and employers will have increased responsibility for ensuring meeting with the regulations. The new amendment specifies a range of fines for illegal employment, from PLN 3,000 to PLN 50,000. The new regulations are set to streamline and speed up the process of employing foreigners in Poland, while also enforcing stricter rules and enhancing oversight of employers’ maintaining the law.  A fully digitized employment process ensures efficiency, attracting top global talent while providing a smoother, and easier for businesses to hire foreign specialists, boosting innovation and economic growth. Employers must stay ahead of these changes to ensure they are fully prepared and avoid any potential operational challenges. Don’t wait—prepare now to navigate these updates smoothly!