Work permit for a foreigner – types and how to obtain it?

Hiring an employee from outside the European Union requires completing specific formalities, and since 2025 these rules look completely different than they did just a year earlier. The basic document is still, admittedly, a work permit for a foreigner, but the procedure for obtaining it has changed and has been fully digitised. The regulations have also tightened employers' obligations. We explain the types of permits, how to hire a foreigner in accordance with the law, and what to watch out for so that the legalisation of foreigners' work proceeds without errors.

What did the new act change regarding the work permit for a foreigner?

Since 1 June 2025, the act of 20 March 2025 on the conditions for the admissibility of entrusting work to foreigners has been in force, replacing the earlier provisions of the act on employment promotion.

The most important changes for the employer are:

• full digitisation – applications for a work permit and declarations are now submitted exclusively via the praca.gov.pl portal;

• abolition of the labour market test – the obligation to obtain the so-called opinion has been dropped, which in itself significantly shortened the procedure;

• shorter notification deadlines – notice must be given more quickly about work not being taken up, its interruption or its earlier termination (the period was reduced from 3 to 2 months);

• higher penalties – entrusting work without the required documents carries a fine of at least PLN 6,000;

• more inspections – the National Labour Inspectorate and the Border Guard have gained broader inspection powers.

Types of work permits

Here an important terminological nuance appears. For years, people spoke of type A, B, C, D and E permits. Since 1 January 2026, the official names have changed, although the logic of the division has been preserved.

The most popular solution – especially in manufacturing, logistics and processing – is the former type A work permit, which has now become a "permit to work for a foreigner on behalf of a Polish entity entrusting the work." It applies to situations in which a foreigner works on the basis of a contract with a company having its registered office in Poland.

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Most permits are issued by the voivode. The exception is the seasonal permit, which is applied for at the district labour office. The former type A work permit is issued as standard for a period of up to 3 years.

A declaration instead of a permit – the simplified path

A full work permit in Poland is not always necessary. For citizens of selected countries – including Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Georgia and Armenia – a simplified procedure based on a declaration of entrusting the performance of work applies. It is registered at the district labour office, and work on this basis may last up to 24 months. This solution is faster and cheaper, which is why in industries employing workers from the East it is used by far the most often. The declaration does not cover seasonal work.

How to hire a foreigner step by step?

Proper legalisation of foreigners' work, despite the digitisation, requires attention. How to do it correctly?

• Establish the basis for legalisation – check whether a declaration is sufficient or whether a work permit for a foreigner is needed, and of what type.

• Set up an account on praca.gov.pl – the employer submits the application electronically, with an electronic signature, to the competent office.

• Compile the documents – the scope of required attachments is specified by regulation; the working conditions and remuneration may not be less favourable than for comparable positions, and the pay must not be lower than the minimum wage.

• Wait for the voivode's decision – every application is always considered individually.

• Conclude the contract and fulfil the information obligations – the employer provides the office with a copy of the contract in Polish before entrusting the work and presents the foreigner with its translation into a language understandable to them.

You must also remember one thing that is easy to overlook: a permit legalises only work, not residence. A foreigner must additionally hold a valid residence title – an appropriate visa or residence card.

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A legal work permit in Poland – why is it worth entrusting the formalities to specialists?

As you can see, a proper work permit in Poland is not a single document but an entire process – with deadlines, information obligations and the risk of severe penalties in the event of a mistake. For a company that employs several or several dozen workers from abroad, keeping track of these procedures on its own can burden the HR department.

Most problems arise from small details – a missed notification deadline, an unsuitable residence title, a missing copy of the contract in the files. Entrust the formalities to a specialised partner!