Work permit in Poland: who needs it and who works without it
Table of Contents:
Found a job in Poland and celebrating? Too early! First, sort out the paperwork. Work permit in Poland is a tricky thing. Some don’t need it at all, for others it’s vital, and some can choose. The confusion is so great that even employers don’t always understand. Let’s untangle this knot together.
What is the work permit document
In Polish it’s zezwolenie na pracę – work permit. A document that says: “Yes, this foreigner can work for this employer in this position”. And yes, it’s that specific.
Differences between documents
Many confuse these, so let’s clarify right away:
- Zezwolenie – permission to work for a specific employer
- Residence card – right to live in Poland (sometimes includes work rights)
- Oświadczenie – employer’s declaration of intent to hire
- Visa – right to enter and stay (work is separate)
You can have a residence card without work rights. You can have a work permit without a residence card. Fun, right?
Tied to employer
The biggest downside of the permit is being tied to a specific company. Says “Work at Horns and Hooves Ltd. as a manager”? That’s it – only there and only as a manager. Want to change jobs? New permit. Got promoted? New one again. Transferred to another department? Guess what… exactly!
Who must have a work permit
By default, every foreigner from outside the EU needs a permit. But! There are more exceptions than rules.
Definitely need it
- Third-country nationals (non-EU) without special status
- Tourists who decided to earn some money (don’t do this!)
- Student card holders working full-time
- People with residence cards without work rights
- Those working in specific positions (top management)
Depends on situation
- Ukrainians – first 6 months can work with oświadczenie
- Belarusians – same as Ukrainians
- Russians – since 2022 need permit immediately
- Students – depends on card type and work hours
Who can work without a permit
Now for good news – who doesn’t need a work permit in Poland. The list is impressive!
Lucky ones with residence cards
- Permanent residence card – work wherever you want
- EU resident card – complete freedom
- Family reunification card – if spouse is Polish or has permanent residence
- Card with “dostęp do rynku pracy” note – check yours!
Special categories
- Karta Polaka – no permit needed
- Polish university graduates – one year after graduation
- Refugees and protected persons – automatic right
- Ukrainians with UKR – can work without restrictions
- EU citizens’ family members – free market access
First 6 months with oświadczenie
Citizens of 6 countries can work without permit for the first six months:
- Ukraine 🇺🇦
- Belarus 🇧🇾
- Georgia 🇬🇪
- Moldova 🇲🇩
- Armenia 🇦🇲
- Russia 🇷🇺 (until 2022, currently NO)
Employer registers the oświadczenie at the labour office, you arrive and work. After 6 months – either permit or goodbye.
Types of work permits – which to choose
There are several permit types. Literally – A, B, C, D, E. Like in school, only backwards – A is the hardest.
Type A – standard
90% get this one:
- For employment contract work
- With specific employer
- In specific position
- Duration: up to 3 years
- Can be extended
Type B – posted workers
For those sent by foreign company:
- Work in Polish branch
- Temporary posting
- Salary can be from foreign company
Type C – seasonal work
Strawberry picking and such:
- Maximum 9 months per year
- Only specific industries
- Simplified procedure
Type D – services
Coming for short project:
- Up to 6 months
- For specific service delivery
- Often for IT specialists
Type E – internship
For interns:
- Up to 6 months
- As part of training
- Can be unpaid
Application procedure
Surprise – you don’t get the permit, the employer does! You just help with documents.
Step 1: Employer submits application
To voivodeship office or labour office:
- Fills out tons of forms
- Explains why specifically you
- Proves they searched for Poles (labour market test)
- Pays the fee
Step 2: Verification and waiting
Office checks:
- Company’s legitimacy
- Financial status
- Salary compliance with market
- Whether there are Poles for this position
Step 3: Receiving decision
If everything’s OK:
- Employer receives permit
- You get a copy
- With this copy you apply for visa or residence card
Documents from you
Employer will ask for:
- Copy of all passport pages
- Education diploma + translation
- CV in Polish
- Sometimes – criminal record certificate
- Photos
Costs and processing times
Time is money, and here you need plenty of both.
Costs
- Type A – 200-500 PLN (depends on period)
- Type B-E – 200 PLN
- Seasonal – 30 PLN
- Extension – half of initial amount
Employer pays. If they demand money from you – it’s illegal!
Processing times
- Standard – 30-60 days
- Warsaw – up to 3 months (queues)
- Small cities – 2-3 weeks
- Seasonal – 7 days
Validity period
- First – usually one year
- Extension – up to 3 years
- Seasonal – maximum 9 months
Renewal and changing employer
Permit ending? Want to change job? Both cases are headaches.
Extension with same employer
Couldn’t be simpler:
- Apply 30 days before expiry
- Fewer documents
- Faster processing
- Can work while waiting (stamp in passport)
Changing employer
Everything from scratch:
- New employer applies for new permit
- Full document package
- Full waiting times
- DON’T quit until you get it!
Switching to residence card
Smart move – after a year or two on permit, get a residence card with work rights:
- Not tied to employer
- Can change jobs freely
- Even unemployment isn’t scary (for a while)
Frequently asked questions
Can I work while waiting for permit?
No! That’s illegal work. Fine for you and employer. Exception – if extending with same employer and have stamp in passport.
What if employer doesn’t want to get permit?
Run from such employer! Either stingy (won’t pay 200 PLN) or shady (company doesn’t pass checks). Either way, problems will be yours.
Can I have side job with permit?
Technically no – permit for one employer. But if side job on civil contract in different field – often they turn blind eye. At your own risk.
Permit denied – what to do?
Find out reason. Most often: low salary, fictitious position, company problems. Can fix and reapply or find another employer.
Got fired – how much time do I have?
If you only have permit (no residence card) – must leave immediately. If have residence card tied to work – usually 30 days to find new job.
Summary
Work permit isn’t a sentence, but temporary inconvenience on the path to residence card with full labour market access. Ukrainians can start with oświadczenie, Karta Polaka holders don’t worry at all, and everyone else needs patience. Most important – don’t work illegally, it’s not worth it. Better spend 2 months on documents than get deportation with entry ban.
Opening your own business?
With your own company you don’t need any work permits! Progress Holding will help register sole proprietorship or LLC, organize accounting, optimize taxes. We’ve been working with foreign entrepreneurs for over 21 years.
📞 +48 603 232 418
✉️ office@progressholding.pl
From permit to own business – one step!