Employing foreigners - for employers
Legality of stay and work, duties, inspections and penalties - the rules on employing foreigners in one place, for companies and HR departments.
Employing a foreigner is legal when the foreigner has a legal stay and a basis for work, and the employer fulfils the duties under the Act of 20 March 2025 on the Conditions for Permitting the Entrusting of Work to Foreigners. Responsibility for illegal entrusting of work lies with the entity that entrusts the work - it faces a fine from 3 000 PLN to 50 000 PLN (Art. 84 para. 1 of that Act).
In this section you will find guides for companies and HR departments: how to check the legality of stay and work, employer duties in 2026, changing employment terms, taking over an employee, expiring documents, PIP and Border Guard inspections, penalties and the contract in the foreigner's language.
The bases of the right to work are described in the section work of foreigners. Forcen's help for companies - from checking a candidate to preparing for an inspection - can be found in the section services for employers.
Checking legality
How an employer checks the legality of stay and work of a candidate from abroad: which documents, how long to keep copies (2 years) and when no penalty applies.
Duties 2026
List of employer duties when employing a foreigner in 2026: documents, contract, notifications within 7, 14 and 15 days, and the legal basis.
Changing terms
Change of position, pay, working time or contract of a foreigner: when the work permit stays, when a new one is needed and which notifications to submit.
Taking over an employee
Employing a foreigner from another employer, taking over a workplace or using a temporary work agency? The basis for work, deadlines and penalties.
Expiring documents
An employee's permit, residence card, visa or declaration is expiring? Deadlines, continuing work while waiting for a decision and the consequences of having no basis.
PIP and Border Guard inspection
Inspection of the legality of employing foreigners by PIP and the Border Guard: powers of inspectors, company duties, documents and consequences of obstruction.
Penalties
Penalties for illegal entrusting of work to a foreigner: a fine from 3 000 PLN to 50 000 PLN, penalties for missing notifications and contract, and effects on later permits.
Contract and language
Must a contract with a foreigner be in the foreigner's language? Written form, a version understandable to the foreigner, sworn translation and a Polish copy for the office.
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