As of 1 June 2025, new rules for the employment of foreigners came into force in Poland. These changes are aimed at increasing the transparency of migration policy, protecting the Polish labour market and combating abuses in legalisation of stay.
The main changes are
1. ‘Labour market test’ (opinia starosty) is no longer required!
As of 1 June 2025, it is no longer necessary to obtain a confirmation from the Labour Office that there are no suitable unemployed persons for a vacancy. This certificate will only be required if the procedure for obtaining a work permit started before this date and the relevant documents had to be submitted at the time of application.
2 Restrictions on employment in certain professions
Local authorities (headmen) have been authorised to make lists of professions for which work permits will not be issued to foreigners. This decision is based on an analysis of the local labour market, unemployment rate and the needs of the region.
3. Stricter rules for changing the purpose of stay
Foreigners arriving in Poland on visas not related to employment (e.g. tourist, study, transit, purposes of issue: 01, 02, 11, 14, 20, 23) will not be able to legally change the purpose of stay to labour and obtain an oświadczenie or zezwolenie (work permit) while in the country.
4. Increase in fines for illegal employment
Fines for employers for the illegal employment of foreigners have been increased: they now range from PLN 3,000 to PLN 50,000 for each illegally employed worker. Foreigners working without appropriate permits may also be fined at least PLN 1,000.
5. Restrictions for new recruitment agencies
New recruitment agencies wishing to hire foreign workers will only be able to start their activities two years after registration. This is intended to prevent the creation of fictitious agencies engaged in illegal employment.
6. Digitisation of procedures
All procedures related to the employment of foreigners have been converted to electronic format. Paper applications are no longer accepted, which, according to the legislators, should speed up the process and increase its transparency.
Sources of information and useful links:
– Official information about the new rules
– Clarifying information from the Warsaw Labour Office