Hiring foreign nationals in Poland means navigating a permit system that varies significantly depending on where your worker is from and what role they’ll fill. The good news is that the framework is well-structured once you understand it. This guide covers the main routes you’ll use as a sponsoring employer, what you’re responsible for, and where an Employer of Record (EOR) can simplify the process.
Who doesn’t need a work permit
EU, EEA, and Swiss nationals have the right to work freely in Poland without a permit or visa. If you’re hiring from within this group, you don’t need to sponsor anything or submit any applications. They can start work without waiting for approvals.
Everyone else, including nationals from the UK, US, Ukraine, India, and the rest of the world, needs a work permit before they can legally work for a Polish-registered company.
Type a work permit
The Type A work permit is the standard route for most non-EU nationals who’ll be working under an employment contract with a company registered in Poland. Here’s what you need to know before you start the process.
Eligibility and salary requirements
The Type A permit is issued to the worker but applied for by the employer. To qualify, the worker must be employed under a formal employment contract and paid at least the legal minimum wage, which is PLN 4,806 per month in 2026. Their salary also can’t be lower than what you’d pay a local employee doing a comparable role, so you can’t use the permit as a way to undercut market rates.
The labour market test
In most cases, you’ll need to complete a labour market test before the permit can be approved. This involves advertising the role locally and demonstrating that no suitable Polish or EU candidate was available. The process is managed through the local labour office (powiatowy urząd pracy).
Some roles and nationalities are exempt from the test, so it’s worth checking whether your specific situation qualifies for an exemption before you begin. Exemptions exist for certain specialist positions, workers from countries with bilateral agreements, and other defined categories.
How to apply
All Type A work permit applications in 2026 must be submitted online through praca.gov.pl. You’ll need to upload the relevant documents, including the employment contract, proof of the labour market test (where required), and information about the role and salary. Processing times vary by region, so factor in lead time when planning your hire.
EU blue card
The EU Blue Card, known in Poland as the Niebieska Karta UE, is designed for highly qualified non-EU workers and comes with a significantly higher salary threshold. To be eligible, the worker must earn at least PLN 13,355.34 gross per month, which is 150% of the 2025 average salary in Poland.
In addition to the salary requirement, the worker must hold a university degree or have at least five years of relevant professional experience. The employment contract must cover a minimum of six months.
One major advantage of the Blue Card route is that the labour market test doesn’t apply. You don’t need to advertise the role or prove that no local candidate was available, which can substantially reduce the time and administrative burden involved.
Blue Cards are valid for three years, or for the length of the employment contract plus three months if that’s shorter. Applications are submitted through the same praca.gov.pl portal as Type A permits.
Employer obligations during and after the permit period
Getting the permit issued isn’t the end of your compliance responsibilities. Throughout the permit period, you’re required to ensure the worker’s employment conditions match what was stated in the application. Changes to salary, role, or working location may require a new permit or amendment.
One obligation that’s easy to overlook: if a foreign employee stops working for you earlier than the end date stated in the permit, you must notify the relevant authority within 15 working days. Failing to do this can create compliance issues that affect future permit applications.
It’s worth keeping internal records that make this notification easy to trigger when needed, rather than relying on memory or an informal process.
Permanent residence
Workers who’ve been continuously and legally resident in Poland for five years become eligible to apply for permanent residence. At that point, they no longer need a work permit to stay employed.
As the employer, you don’t apply for this on their behalf, but understanding the timeline is useful. Long-term employees approaching the five-year mark may not need their permits renewed, which reduces your administrative load going forward.
Hiring foreign talent through an Employer of Record
If you’re a foreign company without a legal entity in Poland, you can’t directly apply for Type A work permits because the permit requires the employer to be a company registered in Poland. This is where an EOR becomes the practical solution.
An EOR acts as the legal employer in Poland, handling the permit application, employment contract, payroll, and ongoing compliance on your behalf. You direct the work; the EOR manages the legal and administrative relationship with the worker.
This approach is also useful for companies that do have a Polish entity but don’t want to handle the permit process internally. EOR services cover the full lifecycle, from initial application through to any mid-permit changes and the end-of-contract notification obligations.
Book a demo to see how RemotePass supports compliant hiring in Poland.
Frequently asked questions
Can we start the hiring process before the work permit is approved?
It’s not recommended. The worker needs a valid permit before they can legally begin working under an employment contract with a Polish-registered company. Starting work before approval creates a compliance risk for both the employer and the worker.
How long does a type a permit application take?
Processing times vary by voivodeship (regional office) and the time of year. Straightforward applications can take several weeks; more complex ones or those filed during busy periods can take longer. Build in enough lead time to avoid your intended start date being delayed.
What happens if the worker’s role or salary changes after the permit is issued?
Significant changes to the employment terms, such as a change in position, employer, or salary dropping below the minimum threshold, typically require a new or amended permit. Check with your legal or EOR partner before making changes that could affect compliance.
Do we need a polish legal entity to sponsor a work permit?
Yes. Type A work permit applications require the sponsoring employer to be a company registered in Poland. Foreign companies without a Polish entity need to work through an EOR that holds that registration and can act as the legal employer.
