Work visas in Poland: An employer’s guide

If you want to hire an employee in Poland or relocate a team member to the country, you’ll have to make sure they have the right legal status.

Polish immigration laws can be complex, especially if you have limited knowledge about international hiring. While hiring abroad, you'll have to follow local labor and tax laws and ensure legal compliance while you pay and manage employees.

In this article, we’ll explain the visa application process in Poland, eligibility criteria, and processes for employee work visa sponsorship. We’ll also look at how an employer of record like Remote can make it easy for you to hire in Poland.

Who is eligible to work in Poland?

Foreigners may legally work in Poland if they hold a valid work permit or a residence card that explicitly grants “access to the labor market.” Citizens of the EU, EEA, and Switzerland do not require a work permit, while nationals of countries such as Ukraine, Belarus, and Moldova can work short-term without a visa.

For longer employment, however, a Polish employer must submit a declaration to the labor office, or the foreign worker must secure a seasonal permit or apply for an updated residence card.

Travelers eligible for visa-free entry can cross the border with only a passport document (or an EU national ID card), but this right to work is limited to 90 days within a 180-day period. Anyone who wishes to stay and work beyond that limit must apply for a residence permit, a process EU citizens are entitled to complete upon request.

How is the European Union Blue Card applicable?

A European Union Blue Card is a special, temporary residence permit, which is granted to those who wish to enter the EU for “highly-qualified employment”. It’s given to foreigners whose skills are highly in demand in the country they want to move to.  To apply for a Blue Card, an applicant needs to meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Have a higher education diploma relevant to the type of work they want to perform, or
• Prove that they have at least five years of work experience in the field (which can be treated as an equivalent of the years spent on formal education).

Eligibility requirements for a work visa in Poland

• Visa type matters: Eligibility depends on the kind of Poland work visa or work permit being applied for, and whether the foreign national is entering the country for a specific employer or to search for a job.
• Business purposes: Foreigners planning to conduct commercial activity for their own business (without seeking employment) may apply for a Business Schengen visa.
• Skilled workers: Applicants invited by an employer for specialized or high-level skills may qualify for permits such as the EU Blue Card.
• EU/EEA/Swiss nationals: Citizens of the EU, EEA, and Switzerland can work in Poland without a work permit, but must register as residents.
• Employer sponsorship: In most cases, the Polish employer must submit the necessary documents to the relevant labor office to support the application.

What are the long-stay visa types in Poland?

In Poland, long-stay visas are known as Type D national visa. Foreigners from non-EU/EEA countries who wish to reside in the country for anywhere between 91 and 365 days a year must apply for this document. 

Type D national visas are most commonly granted for family reunions, work, and gaining higher education. It’s also given to anyone with Polish roots, who can present a Card of Pole ID. 

Some D-type national visas are granted for multiple entries to the country, while others let them enter Poland just once or twice. Let’s look at the main national visa types that allow for work. For a full list of Type D visas, including those that don’t require a work permit, visit the Migrant service.

How to apply for a work permit in Poland?

If you want to employ a foreigner, you’ll have to apply for a work permit on their behalf at the local Voivodeship office. For this purpose, you’ll need to submit the following documents: 

• The application form
• Proof of paying the application fees
• Proof of the employer’s legal status, issued by the National Court Register
• Records of the employer’s economic activity
• Scans of the employee’s passport/travel documents
• A confirmation of the health insurance
• A company deed
• Employer’s profit/loss statements 
• A copy of the employment contract.
  
  

Bear in mind that employers who hire foreigners based on a work permit have the same duties towards them as towards Polish citizens. Therefore, before you bring a non-European citizen on board, you should:

• Verify if they have a valid residence permit
• Copy the residence permit, and keep it on file until the employment comes to an end
• Prepare and sign a written contract, in line with the terms of the work permit
• Share a copy of the work permit with your international employee
• Inform the foreigner what they’ll have to do to get the work permit or extend it. 
• Inform the voivode within seven days if the foreigner:
• • doesn’t start working within three months of issuing the work permit 
  • stops working for more than three months
  • ends the employment three months before the expiration of the permit. 
    
    

Luckily, if you work with a  global HR partner like Remote, you can speed up this process. We will handle legal eligibility checks on your behalf. All you have to do is ask your employee to submit the right documentation to our platform.  Our expert Mobility team will perform a work eligibility check to make sure the provided work permit is valid. If it turns out that it’s invalid or hasn’t been submitted, we will help you get one as soon as possible. 

Learn more about our Relocation Services. 

How do you get a work visa for Poland?

To get a Poland work visa, an employee has to submit the following documentation:

• A valid passport document — it shouldn’t expire within the next six months.
• A visa application form, must be completed via the e-Konsulat system. It must be printed and signed.
• Portrait photos in color. The dimensions are the same as in the Schengen visa.
• Flight itinerary
• Travel health insurance covers at least €30,000. After arriving in Poland, the employee will have to apply for long-term health insurance either through the Polish National Health Fund or via a private insurer.
• Proof of accommodation 
• Original version and a copy of the work permit, which must be provided by the employer
• Letter of employment, signed by the employer. It has to include the job position, salary, and other employment details.
• Work employment certificate or a CV. Any documents, which boost employee credibility and show they’re fit for the job, should be attached to the application.
• Police clearance certificate, to show lack of criminal background. 
  
  

After receiving the work permit, or a declaration, the employee should apply to the Polish consulate in the country where they reside to get their work visa.

On average, it takes up to 12 days to process the visa application. However, sometimes it might take as long as six weeks. That’s why it’s highly recommended to apply for a work visa at least 2 months before arriving.  

What is the application process for employee work visa sponsorship in Poland?

The application process for sponsoring a foreign employee in Poland varies depending on whether the worker is abroad or already in the country.

Employers hiring from outside Poland must submit a declaration of intent to the regional labor office, which the employee then uses to apply for a work visa at a Polish consulate. For employees already in Poland, the employer must check if their residence permit grants access to the labor market; if not, a new work visa or permit must be obtained.

What are the visa requirements for digital nomads in Poland?

Currently, Poland doesn’t offer a special visa for digital nomads. Those who aren’t EU citizens must be employed by a Polish company to be able to settle in the country. 

Digital nomads can apply for the following visas as an alternative to a digital nomad visa offered by other countries: 

What is Poland’s Freelance Visa?

This type of visa is valid for up to two years, and it can be renewed if necessary. To qualify, digital nomads must have Polish brands as customers. Having international ones only will not suffice. There are three types of freelance contracts, which can be used while working remotely in Poland.

• Umowa zlecenie — it’s the most popular employment contract, which governs the relationship between the employer and the contractor/employee. It offers more favorable taxation, and it’s easier to terminate if needed.
• B2B contract — this type of arrangement requires the contractor to set up a company and issue invoices to the contracting party. They’re responsible for paying their own taxes and aren’t subject to any benefits. 
• Umowa o dzieło — freelancers get paid for a specific task instead of the hours they’ve put in to complete it.

What is Poland’s Type C Visa

Also called a Schengen visa. It allows foreigners to live in Poland or any other country, that is part of the Schengen area for up to three months within 180 days.

What is Poland’s Type D Visa

It’s a long-term residence permit. Foreigners have the right to stay in Poland for over three months, either continuously or for several successive times. However, their total stay on the same visa can’t exceed one year. After this time, they need to have it renewed.

Navigating work visas in Poland with Remote

We know that relocation can be stressful for employees and employers alike. Apart from understanding visa requirements and handling paperwork, you'll also have to make sure you stay compliant with local labor rules while you hire and pay employees abroad.

Working with an employer of record like Remote can make global hiring a simple and stress-free process. Remote can help you minimize legal risks while handling HR processes such as onboard, payroll , and benefits . Remote can also help you:

• Manage the immigration process
• Avoid permanent establishment risk
• Understand international taxation
• Stay compliant with local employment regulations.
  
  

To make sure your relocation goes as smoothly as possible, take a look at our Relocation Guide. You can also contact our Mobility gurus for guidance on how to relocate employees to Poland right away!