Hiring foreigners in 2026 — what the amendment changed

The headline change

The labour market test (TRP) has been abolished for most positions — a significant relief for employers who previously had to wait 30 days for a starosta opinion.

In its place: an obligation to publish the job offer in the national system for 14 days — a different kind of formality.

Three hiring routes

Statement of work assignment (oświadczenie o powierzeniu pracy) — the simplest option, for citizens of 6 countries (UA, BY, MD, GE, AM, RU). Up to 24 months of work, fully online formalities.

Type A work permit — for citizens of other countries. Requires documents from both employer and worker. Processing time: 30–90 days depending on voivodeship.

Combined residence and work permit — for workers already in Poland. Handled at the voivodeship office, averaging 4–6 months.

What was sped up in 2026

• Electronic applications for all procedures (end of paper).
• Office decisions within 30 days (with penalties for missing the deadline — previously a dead-letter rule).
• Ability to change employer without a new permit (if the role is similar).

What was tightened

• Penalties for illegal employment — from PLN 30k up to PLN 50k per foreigner.
• An obligation for monthly verification of employee document validity — penalty up to PLN 10k per breach.
• Tighter PIP (labour inspectorate) inspections in "sensitive" sectors — hospitality, construction, care.

Common employer mistakes

• Hiring on a civil-law contract instead of an employment contract — does not waive the permit obligation.
• No A1 for a worker posted into Poland from abroad.
• Failing to register with PUP (district employment office) the actual position (different from the permit description).

We run the full legalisation process — from application to residence card. Including for workers' families. Reach out if you're planning hires in 2026.