BackWhat are the requirements for work in Poland?
Do you want to work in Poland, but you don’t know what the requirements are for working in Poland? Each country has its own rules regarding employment, so it’s worth preparing well for this. In Poland, the most important documents are the appropriate ones, such as a visa or work permit. Who does not need a work permit in Poland? Is the employment of foreigners in Poland common? How to get hired through an employment agency? Check what you need to know before coming to Poland!
CONTENTS
- Employment of foreigners in Poland – what does the law say?
- Employment of a foreigner from the EU, EEA or Switzerland
- Legal work in Poland – what is needed?
- Work in Poland without the language – is it possible?
- What professions can you work in without the Polish language?
- How to find a job in Poland?
- What does the recruitment process through an employment agency look like?
Employment of foreigners in Poland – what does the law say?
Employment of foreigners in Poland is regulated by many regulations. Anyone coming to Poland from outside the EU, EEA or Switzerland must be legally resident. What does that mean? This means that a foreigner must have a valid residence document, such as a visa, residence card or other document entitling them to legally reside in Poland. Additionally, if they want to take up employment, in most cases they must obtain an appropriate work permit or have another status that exempts them from this obligation, e.g. be a citizen of the European Union. The employer is obliged to check whether the candidate meets all legal requirements before signing a contract with them.
Employment of a foreigner from the EU, EEA or Switzerland
Citizens of EU countries, the EEA area, and Switzerland can work in Poland without obtaining a work and residence permit. Employees from these countries can stay and work in Poland, just like Polish citizens. They are also not required to have a valid visa or permits.
Read also: Break from work – how much time do you get?
Legal work in Poland – what is needed?
Employment of foreigners from outside the European Union (EU), the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland in Poland is regulated by specific legal regulations. In order to work legally in Poland, certain conditions must be met:
For a foreigner’s work in Poland to be legal, it is necessary to meet certain conditions. A foreigner must work on the basis of a contract performed in Poland (e.g. an employment contract, a contract of mandate, a temporary employment contract) and have appropriate documents legalizing their stay and employment. In most cases, they are required to have a work permit, unless they are exempt from this requirement (e.g. they have a permanent residence permit).
The type of permit required depends on the nature of the employment. Delegated workers, i.e. people employed by foreign companies and delegated to work in Poland, must also have appropriate documents confirming their legality. In the case of short-term employment, such as seasonal work, a seasonal work permit issued for a maximum of 9 months per year is required.
It is also very important to obtain a temporary residence permit for a foreigner if their employment lasts longer than 3 months. Foreigners staying in the territory of the Republic of Poland may apply for such a permit, which is issued by the voivode competent for their place of residence.
It is also important to determine the place of work and the basis of employment of the foreigner, because the employer is responsible for the compliance of the employment with Polish law. Legal work in Poland therefore requires not only appropriate permits, but also compliance with the conditions specified in the contract and regulations regarding the labor market.
Work in Poland without Polish – is it possible?
Finding a job in Poland without Polish may seem like a challenge, but in reality, many workplaces offer such work to foreigners. However, it all depends on the type of job position, as well as the industry. In many workplaces, especially in sectors such as production, warehousing or construction, employers do not require Polish. However, sometimes they require a communicative knowledge of English to be able to communicate with their employees.
Although in some industries knowledge of the language is not necessary, in many workplaces a basic understanding of instructions and regulations makes everyday duties easier. Therefore, it is worth trying to learn basic phrases before starting work that can help in communicating with the employer and co-workers.
Read also: The role of a coordinator in an employment agency
What professions can you work in without speaking Polish?
On the Polish labor market, foreigners work without speaking Polish in many sectors. These are mainly positions that do not require frequent communication with clients or co-workers. Employers often employ foreigners who perform physical labor, where skills are more important than knowledge of the language. What professions can you find a job in without speaking Polish?
- Warehouse work – work as a packer, forklift operator, picking goods, parcel sorter.
- Production work – assembly, operating machinery, operating the production line, quality control.
- Construction work – finishing works, plastering, painting, laying tiles.
- Transport work – delivery drivers, couriers, work in transport companies.
- Gastronomy work – kitchen assistant, dishwasher, cleaning work in restaurants, food delivery person.
How to find a job in Poland?
Currently, Poland offers many job opportunities for foreigners. Employers see them as a solution to existing staffing problems. The easiest and fastest way to find a job for a foreigner in Poland is to contact an employment agency. These are institutions that recruit employees for various job positions.
Employment agencies help foreigners find employment that matches their experience and expectations, and also support them in formalities related to legal employment. Thanks to this, a foreigner can start working legally and without any complications. The law related to legality can be complicated, which is why employment agencies help with all formalities.
In addition to support at every stage of recruitment and employment, employment agencies often also offer accommodation for their employees. Thanks to this, foreigners coming to Poland have a full range of solutions that make it easier for them to start working in a new place, as well as a new country. Depending on the job position, they also offer transport to work to make the work of their employees as efficient as possible.
Thanks to the support of an employment agency, a foreigner working in Poland can count on the stability, security and legality of employment.
What does the recruitment process look like through an employment agency?
Each employment agency may have a slightly different recruitment system, but they are more or less similar. The process begins with the first contact between the recruiter and the candidate looking for a job. Sometimes recruiters look for people for specific job offers, but often candidates contact the agency themselves. If such contact is made, the recruiter presents current job offers, as well as employment conditions and checks whether they are in line with the candidate’s qualifications and expectations. The recruiter also verifies whether the employee can work legally, whether they need help obtaining the necessary documents for legal work.
After the candidate accepts the employment conditions, the process of signing the employment contract begins. The employment agency informs about the foreigner’s obligations, rights and working hours, as well as about the requirements related to the foreigner’s legal stay in the Republic of Poland. At the same time, employees must undergo all health and safety training and medical examinations in order to start work legally.
Once all formalities have been completed and foreigners have the required permits and other necessary documents, they can start working. The employer or employment agency then conducts an induction process, which includes familiarizing them with the duties and rules in force at the place of work.
Legal employment in Poland by foreigners requires meeting certain formalities, including having legal residence and a basis for performing work. Foreigners with a permit may work in accordance with a contract performed in Poland, provided that they comply with the obligation to have a work permit or other required documents. Work on the Polish labor market must be performed in accordance with applicable regulations and on the basis of a permit issued by the appropriate authorities. Thanks to this, both employees and employers can operate in accordance with Polish law, ensuring stability and security of employment.
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