Legal work in Poland. How companies can obtain a work permit for a foreigner

Comprehensive legal assistance for employers when hiring foreigners to work in Poland

Planning to hire a foreign specialist? We offer comprehensive employment assistance. Our services include:

legal consultations
support in obtaining the necessary permits
assistance in legalisation in Poland.

We guarantee professionalism, fast processing of documents and full compliance with the law.

Why you should cooperate with us

1. Many years of experience in assisting companies employing foreigners from outside the EU

We have been helping companies employing foreigners for over 8 years. Thanks to our experience we know all the procedures, which allows us to work quickly, efficiently and in accordance with the law.

2. Comprehensive support

We provide support at all stages:

obtaining a work permit,
legalisation of stay in Poland,
preparation and submission of applications,
communication with state authorities and monitoring of the progress of cases.

The employer can be sure that the recruitment takes place within the law and the employee can work legally and without hindrance.

3. Polish law knowledge

We keep up to date with changes in Polish labour legislation and the rules of legalisation of stay of foreigners, thanks to which all the registration of employees is carried out in full compliance with the law.

Our services

Obtaining work permits

from 150 PLN + VAT 23%

(depending on the type of permit)

Type A permit

Type B permit

Notification of employment of Ukrainian citizens

Declaration of Intent to Employ a Foreigner - PUP

Request for information from the headman

A1 certificate

Legalisation of stay

from 1000 PLN + VAT 23%

(depending on the type of service)

Registration of temporary residence card

Blue Card

Registration of permanent residence card

EU Resident Card

Foreigner's travel document

Legal consultation

from 300 PLN + VAT 23%

(depending on the complexity of the case)

Consultations with a lawyer

Support in case of inspections of state institutions

How does the co-operation process work?

Consultation with a manager

First we carry out a detailed analysis of your needs. We check whether the employment of a foreigner in your company requires special permissions. We discuss details regarding legalisation of stay and formal requirements. Furthermore, we answer all your questions and present a plan of action.

Preparation of documents

We deal with all documentation required for temporary residence and work. We prepare applications for work permits, applications on the intention to employ a foreigner and other necessary documents. Once the documents have been submitted to the relevant authorities, we monitor the process to avoid formal errors.

Legalisation and employment

We will carry out the whole process from A to Z. We help with the legalisation of a foreigner’s work and stay in Poland, ensuring correct notification of the relevant authorities. We provide support in social security registration and tax calculations. Our goal is full compliance of the process with the law, minimising legal risks for the employer and the employee.

Support for the employer after the employment of a foreigner

We provide advice on tax and accounting calculations, assist with audits by state authorities and remind you of the deadlines for extending work and residence permits. If necessary, we represent the employer’s interests in administrative authorities.

Frequently asked questions

There are several key steps to be followed

Checking the basis of legal stay (visa, visa-free regime, residence card, temporary protection).
Choice of the form of employment (umowa o pracę, umowa zlecenia, umowa o działo) or by B2B contract (Ukrainian citizens can open a sole proprietorship in Poland).
Notification of the Labour Office (Urzęd Pracy) within 14 days after the start of work.
Fulfilment of employer’s duties:

* conclusion of the contract in 2 languages (Polish as well as in a language understandable for a foreigner)

* registration in ZUS

Which of the foreigners can legally work in Poland without an additional permit?

Without authorisation can work:

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens
persons with refugee status
Polish card holders
students and graduates of Polish universities
others who have this right.

Important things to pay attention when hiring foreigners

Before a foreigner starts working in Poland, he/she must provide the employer with an up-to-date document confirming legal stay in Poland (e.g. it can be a temporary residence permit, Pesel Ukr, etc.).The employer’s obligations include:

checking whether the foreigner has a valid permit for temporary or permanent overstay on the territory of the Republic of Poland, which allows him/her to do the work,
making a copy of the submitted document and keeping it for the entire period of employment.

Can I get additional funds for hiring foreigners?

If you are planning to hire a foreigner, it is possible to get financial assistance for this. In Poland, there are a number of programmes designed for companies that hire foreigners. Typically, such programmes may include training subsidies, funding for job creation or tax relief.

To support Ukrainian citizens, there are special initiatives for companies employing Ukrainians affected by the armed conflict in their country and legally staying in Poland. Many local authorities are implementing programmes to support such companies.

Detailed information, including requirements, can be found in specialised support programmes. Some of the institutions offering funding include: Polska Agencja Rozwoju Przedsiębiorczości, Europejski Fundusz Społeczny oraz Powiatowy Urząd Pracy.

Who needs a type A work permit in Poland?

Citizens of countries outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland need a work permit type A (Zezwolenie typ A). This permit is required if the foreigner’s employment in Poland is permanent and not limited to a certain period of time (e.g. seasonal work). A statement of intent to work is required for citizens of Belarus, Moldova, Armenia and Georgia.

Who do I need an A1 certificate?

A1 certificate will be required in the following cases:

For employees temporarily working abroad on the basis of business trips, temporary contracts or remote work in another country. This also applies to foreign nationals residing in Poland and working for a Polish company that sends the employee on business trips abroad.

For self-employed persons working in another EU country or in EEA countries or Switzerland.

The document allows avoiding double taxation and social security contributions in two countries. The A1 certificate is issued by the social security authorities in the employee’s country of residence.