Which professions are regulated in Poland? A guide to the regulations and qualifications

Taking up work in a new country or changing your industry often involves the need to verify the qualifications you hold. In the Polish legal system, as in other European Union member states, there is a group of professions that cannot be practised solely on the basis of willingness or on-the-job training. These are the so-called regulated professions. For employers and employees, understanding these rules is crucial in order to avoid mistakes in the recruitment and selection process and to ensure full compliance with the applicable regulations.

A regulated profession — what does it mean in practice?

Let's start with a definition: a regulated profession is one whose practice is contingent on meeting specific statutory requirements. Relevant education alone is not enough — the candidate must often hold a diploma confirmed by the appropriate authority, pass a state examination, complete an internship, or obtain entry onto the membership list of a professional self-governing body.

These regulations are intended to ensure public safety, protect health, and maintain high-quality services in sectors of particular social importance. Poland currently has more than 350 such professions, which makes our country one of those with the highest regulation rates in all of Europe.

The list of regulated professions — where to look for information?

Because of the large number of professions, there is no single, short document covering all industries. Instead, there is an official list of regulated professions, which is scattered across many industry-specific acts. The most important source of information for EU citizens, however, is the database of regulated professions maintained by the European Commission and the Polish Ministry of Development and Technology.

In this database you can check what specific conditions must be met in order to obtain the right to practise a given profession, and which authority (e.g. a ministry, a chamber, or a council) issues the relevant qualifications.

The most important professional groups subject to regulation

Analysing regulated professions in Poland, we can divide them into several key sectors:

1. Regulated medical professions

This is the most restrictive group. It covers not only doctors and dentists, but also nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, and paramedics. Practising these professions without the right to practise the profession (PWZ) issued by the appropriate chamber is severely penalised.

2. Legal professions

Advocates, legal counsels, notaries, and bailiffs must complete a multi-year traineeship (apprenticeship) and pass a professional examination. In their case, regulation protects the interests of citizens in their dealings with the justice system.

3. The construction and technical sector

Civil engineers, architects, and property appraisers must hold construction qualifications or entries in state registers. The situation is similar for operators of heavy machinery or welders, where UDT certificates or other technical qualifications are required.

4. Transport and safety

Professional drivers (code 95 on a driving licence), driving instructors, and pilots are typical regulated professions. They require periodic medical examinations and recurrent training.

Regulated professions in the EU and recognition of qualifications

For companies such as Gremi Personal, which support worker mobility between countries, a key issue is regulated professions in the EU. Thanks to EU directives, the process of recognising qualifications gained in another member state is simplified.

If a given regulated profession is practised by an employee from, for example, Ukraine, the procedure looks different. Nostrification of the diploma and confirmation of knowledge of the Polish language are often required, which is particularly important in the medical and technical sectors. In 2026, these procedures are becoming increasingly digital, which makes it possible to shorten the waiting time for an administrative decision.

Why is knowing the list of regulated professions important for an employer?

A failure to verify a candidate's qualifications may carry serious consequences for the company:

• Legal sanctions: employing a person without the required qualifications (e.g. a forklift operator without a certificate) risks heavy fines from the PIP (National Labour Inspectorate) or the UDT.

• Insurance issues: in the event of an accident at work, the insurer may refuse to pay compensation if the employee did not hold the required qualifications.

• Quality and reputation: in professions such as HR and payroll services or tax advisory, mistakes made by unqualified people hit a company's financial liquidity and working capital.

The list of regulated professions is long and constantly evolving alongside technological and legal changes. For both the employee and the employer, the key to success is a thorough verification of qualifications already at the stage of planning the employee recruitment process.

At Gremi Personal, we understand these complexities perfectly. We support our partners in verifying candidates' qualifications, making sure that every person assigned to work holds the necessary documents and certificates. If your company operates in a sector where regulated professions occur, put your trust in experts who will help you carry out this process safely and in compliance with the law.