Many expats moving to Poland for work need to get a work permit, some other foreigners are exempt from this rule. We advise when a work permit is needed, how the application process looks like and what are the responsibilities of employers.

Generally the legislation in Poland has divided expats willing to work in Poland into two groups:

1. Expats free to work in Poland without any restrictions
2. Expats needing a work permit

The first group of foreigners with right to an open job market consist of:

• Nationals of European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Agreement (EFTA) countries and their families
• Families of Polish nationals
• Refugees
• Foreigners residing in Poland under temporary protection
• Foreigners holding a permit for a tolerant stay
• Foreigners holding a permit for residing in Poland

Some of the expats are freed from obtaining a work permit, in case when:

• Are sent on an international assignment through an employer headquartered in EU or EFTA countries for a limited period of time
• Reside in Poland to conduct research
• Study in Poland
• Entrepreneurs registered in Poland for a limited period of time
• Special groups of professions: professors, language teachers, NATO employees, sportsmen, media correspondents, lecturers, full-time students

All other foreigner who do not fall into any of the above mentioned categories in order to legally work in Poland need to obtain a visa and a work permit.

Work permit application can be issued solely by an employer.

Responsibilities of an employer when hiring foreigners:

• Before signing a work contract an employer needs to submit to an employee a draft contract in a language understandable to a foreigner
• Sign a written work contract with a foreigner including all the conditions from a work permit document
• Hand over one copy of the signed contract
• Inform about all actions regarding work permit applications, issued documents, decisions issued by authorities let it be refusal or approval
• Make sure to apply on-time for a prolongation of the work permit if required

Please note: We do not provide legal advice in the legal sense of meaning. The purpose of the article is solely informative. Please contact a legal attorney if you need any legal advice.