Foreigners working in Poland
Work permit, declaration, notification or exemption from the permit - check which basis applies to your work.
Staying in Poland does not always mean the right to work. The rules of access of foreigners to the labour market are set by the Act of 20 March 2025 on the Conditions for Permitting the Entrusting of Work to Foreigners, which has been in force since 1 June 2025. Work is legal when you have a valid basis of stay and one of the bases for work.
The bases for work are: free access to the labour market (e.g. permanent residence), a work permit, a declaration of entrusting work, a notification of the work of a foreigner under temporary protection, a temporary residence permit that covers work, or an exemption from the obligation to hold a permit.
Start with the guide when work is possible without a permit. If the employer is to submit an application, see work permit, declaration of entrusting work or seasonal work. Citizens of Ukraine will find information in the guide notification of the work of a citizen of Ukraine. Employers are invited to the section for employers.
Work permit
Work permit for a foreigner: 4 types, the employer submits the application, fee from 100 to 800 PLN, valid up to 3 years. Conditions and duties after issue.
Declaration of work
Declaration of entrusting work: for citizens of Armenia, Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine, fee 400 PLN, work up to 24 months, register entry and duties.
Notification - Ukraine
The employer reports the work of a citizen of Ukraine within 7 days to the poviat labour office. From 5 March 2026: scope of notification, changes and a fine of 1000-3000 PLN.
Seasonal work
Seasonal work permit: issued by the starost, up to 9 months a year, fee 100 PLN. PKD sectors, register of applications, accommodation.
Work without a permit
When a foreigner works in Poland without a work permit: permanent residence, EU resident, Karta Polaka (Pole's Card), graduates, students, posting. 2026 rules.
Work on a residence card
The “access to the labour market” annotation on a residence card, types of permits and work conditions. How to check whether you can work in Poland. 2026 rules.
Work permit vs residence
How a work permit differs from a temporary residence and work permit: who applies, who issues it, how long it lasts and which to choose. 2026 rules.
Employment or civil-law contract
Type of contract and legality of a foreigner's work: written form, conditions from the permit, changing a civil-law contract to an employment contract, minimum wage 4 806 PLN.
The praca.gov.pl portal
What is submitted on the praca.gov.pl portal: work permit, declaration, notifications. Who creates the account, how to sign the application and when a letter is delivered.
Fill out the form and we will reply within 24 hours
We reply in Polish, English and Russian.
ul. Warszawska 85 lok. 1
26-617 Radom, Poland
Thank you!
Your message has been sent. We will reply within 24 hours.