Hiring foreign workers in Poland has become a common practice for many local companies.
Globalization and the country’s well-diversified economy are encouraging Polish employers to tap into the international talent pool.
Moreover, Poland has been suffering from labor shortages for decades. This makes international hiring a great solution for staffing gaps.
If you, too, are interested in recruiting professionals from abroad, keep reading.
This article breaks down the process of hiring foreign workers in Poland under an employment contract.
Steps for Hiring Foreign Workers in Poland
A foreigner from a non-EU country can work in Poland with an employment contract, but they need a work permit and legal residence.
As an employer, you must apply for a work permit on their behalf.
However, there’s a preliminary step before applying for a work permit: you must first conduct a labor market test.
Now, let’s delve into the details of each step in the hiring process.
Step 1: Conduct a Labor Market Test
A labor market test is a process that assesses the availability of local job candidates before hiring a foreign worker. The purpose of the test is to protect the domestic job market by prioritizing the employment of local workers.
Before you receive approval for hiring, the District Job Center will perform the labor market test. If no local worker is available for the role, you will be able to hire from outside the EU.
However, in certain situations, you do not need to provide this document.
For example, certain occupations are exempted from the labor market test requirement. Some of these occupations include carpenters, welders, tilers, cooks, truck drivers, hairdresser assistants, and much more.
You can find the full list of occupations exempted from the labor market test here.
Step 2: Apply for a Work Permit
When hiring non-EU workers in Poland, applying for a work permit (Woewoddzki Zaproszenie) is mandatory in almost all cases.
Certain non-EU nationals have the option to obtain a Declaration on Entrusting Work to a Foreigner they can use to work in Poland.
The countries eligible for this declaration are Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Russia, and Ukraine.
With this declaration, nationals of these countries can work in Poland for a maximum of 6 months within a consecutive 12-month timeframe.
However, other non-EU nationals must obtain a work permit.
Poland is currently issuing the following types of work permits:
- Work permit A – For foreign workers who have received a job offer from a local employer.
- Work permit B – For foreign nationals who hold a position as board members and plan to reside in Poland for more than six months.
- Work permit C – For individuals who are to work for a Polish branch of a foreign employer for a period longer than 30 days.
- Work permit D – For individuals engaging in export services for a foreign employer who doesn’t have a Polish branch.
- Work permit E – For employees who work for a foreign employer and are to carry out work-related activities in Poland for a period exceeding 30 days within a consecutive 6-month period. The competent authorities issue this type of work permit for purposes other than those covered by type B, C, or D permits.
You must apply for a work permit at the competent voivode. The application processing time may vary, but you should typically expect to obtain it in 10-12 weeks.
The work permit for foreign workers in Poland is issued for a specific duration that cannot exceed 3 years. However, it is possible to apply for a renewal of the permit.
Work Permit for Poland: Supporting Documents
The requirements for a Poland work permit may vary depending on the type of permit you are applying for.
But usually, you will need to submit the following documents:
- Work permit application fully completed and signed
- Company agreement (if the company hiring the foreign worker is a limited liability company or a civil partnership)
- Notarial deeds related to the establishment of the company (if the company hiring the foreign worker is a joint-stock company)
- A copy of the employee’s passport, including copies of all pages with stamps and visas
- Labor market test issued not earlier than 180 days before submitting the application
- Documents proving that the employee is qualified for the position
- Proof of paid application fee (PLN 50 for a permit valid up to 3 months; PLN 100 for a permit valid more than 3 months; PLN 200 for a work permit D).
- Documents confirming an agreement between the employer and an employment agency (if an employment agency is the one assigning the work)
- Profit and loss statement
- Statement regarding specific circumstances mentioned in Article 88j(1)(3-7) of the Act on Employment Promotion and Labor Market Institutions
- Power of attorney (if the employer does not submit the application in person)
You can submit the supporting documents either by post or electronically.
Make sure you check with the local voivode because some documents may be required in the original, such as the labor market test.
Step 3: Your Future Employee Applies for a Work Visa for Poland
After obtaining the work permit approval, your future employee should proceed to apply for a work visa.
It is the worker’s responsibility to complete the application form and gather the necessary documents.
For your convenience, we have prepared a brief guide to assist workers with their work visa applications. This guide includes checklists of required documents and information about the legal procedures.
You can access the guide by clicking on the following link: Work Visa For Poland: Application Process & Requirements.
Hiring Foreign Workers in Poland: Final Considerations
Hiring foreign workers in Poland can help your business gain a competitive edge as it enables you to solve your staffing shortage.
Not to mention that Poland’s growing economy makes it a highly appealing destination for migrant workers.
This favorable environment makes it convenient for you to find top talent for your job openings, especially when utilizing a recruitment platform such as VideoWorkers, which comes with a top-notch candidate database.
With VideoWorkers, you can source and hire the best drivers, welders, carpenters, teachers, and other professionals across the globe with a few clicks.
If you’re ready to tap into top talent the easy way, start by setting up your free company account now. Exceptionally talented employees who want to contribute to the success of your business are already waiting for you!