Life and Work in Poland: A Practical Guide for Foreign Workers

Poland is becoming increasingly popular among foreigners seeking employment opportunities. Poland ranks 37th in the global quality of life ranking and is among the best countries for living and working according to HSBC.

As of mid-2025, approximately 1.07 million foreign citizens work in Poland (6.9% of all employed). The unemployment rate is 3-3.3%, reflecting stable economic activity. The average monthly salary ranges from €1,500 to €1,700, with rent for studio apartments in major cities starting from €650.

This guide contains information about legal employment procedures in Poland. It presents document requirements for residence, job search methods, and analysis of cities with optimal living conditions. Practical aspects of relocation are examined based on the experience of foreign workers who have already gone through the adaptation process in the country.

Legal Foundations for Residence and Employment in Poland

Legal employment in Poland requires an appropriate legal status. Legal status is determined by individual circumstances and plans for staying in the country. Understanding local legislation is a mandatory condition for lawful employment.

Categories of Foreigners with Free Access to the Labor Market

Polish legislation defines categories of foreigners who have free access to the labor market without obtaining special work permits:

 Holders of the Polish Card (Karta Polaka)

 Graduates of Polish universities

 Full-time students

 Holders of permanent residence permits (karta stałego pobytu)

 Persons granted refugee status or supplementary protection

 Foreigners with residence permits based on family reunification

 EU Blue Card holders after 2 years of employment

Ukrainian citizens who arrived in Poland after February 24, 2022, receive the right to work without a permit if they have a PESEL number.

Document Requirements for Legal Stay

Lawful stay in Poland requires one of the following documents:

National or Schengen visa provides the right to enter and stay. Visas have a limited validity period. Work permits are not always included in visa conditions.

Temporary residence permit is issued for up to three years. The temporary residence card (karta czasowego pobytu) confirms this status. Documents required for obtaining the card include:

 Application form in Polish

 Passport and its copies

 Medical insurance

 Receipt of fee payment (340-440 złoty)

 Four photographs 3.5 x 4.5 cm

 Bank statement or confirmation of stable income

A stamp in the passport after submitting documents allows staying in Poland until a decision is made, even after the visa expires. Travel to other Schengen countries is prohibited during this period.

Differences Between Visa, Temporary and Permanent Residence

A visa is a permit to enter the country for a specific purpose. A visa is not a document for permanent residence. Essentially, a visa is a sticker in a passport.

Residence permit confirms a foreigner’s right to reside in Poland. Residence permits exist in two forms:

 Temporary residence permit (karta czasowego pobytu) — issued for up to 3 years and requires renewal

 Permanent residence permit (karta stałego pobytu) — valid indefinitely, the card is updated every 10 years

Permanent residence provides expanded rights: free access to the labor market without permits, the ability to conduct business, obtain loans, use free healthcare, and most rights of Polish citizens except voting rights. Permanent residence can be obtained after several years of living in Poland based on a temporary residence permit or in the presence of special grounds, such as Polish ancestry or marriage to a Polish citizen.

Proper documentation forms the basis for legal stay and employment in Poland. Requirements for specific situations should be carefully studied. The necessary package of documents should be prepared in advance.

Job Search in Poland: Methods and Procedures

The unemployment rate in Poland is 3.3%. Employers actively recruit foreign specialists to fill vacancies in the labor market.

Platforms for Finding Vacancies

Online platforms provide access to current job offers. Employment agencies provide personalized support to job seekers.

Specialized Polish portals:

 Pracuj.pl — portal for qualified specialists with knowledge of Polish

 OLX.pl — platform with various vacancies

 Jooble.pl — job aggregator from multiple sources

 Praca.pl — portal with English language version

 Layboard.com — platform without mandatory registration

Russian-language resources:

 Flagma.pl — portal with Russian-language version

 Work.ua and Rabota.ua — filter “Other countries”

The Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy of Poland provides access to a central database of vacancies. Thematic groups in social networks serve as an additional source of employment information.

In-Demand Professions for Foreigners

The Polish labor market experiences a shortage of skilled workers. Vacancies are available in the following industries:

 Construction — masons, carpenters, electricians

 Logistics — truck drivers, forklift operators

 Industry — production line workers

 Service sector — waiters, cooks, hotel staff

 Agriculture — vegetable and fruit pickers

Major cities and industrial centers, including Warsaw, Krakow, and Wrocław, show the highest demand for workers. Companies are ready to train employees without previous work experience.

Employment Without Knowledge of Polish Language

Knowledge of Polish expands employment opportunities. Lack of language skills is not an obstacle to obtaining work.

Employment without knowledge of Polish is available in the following areas:

 Production (factories, plants)

 Warehouse activities

 Construction

 Agriculture

 Cleaning services

The IT sector, international companies, and logistics require knowledge of English. Employers organize brigade work methods with a language mediator between employees and management.

Employment Procedures Through Agencies

Specialized agencies provide comprehensive support during employment. The process includes the following steps:

 Selecting a vacancy based on consultation with a specialist

 Submitting an application for the appropriate position

 Processing documents for legal stay and work

 Support upon arrival and assistance with adaptation

Employment agencies do not charge a commission from the worker. Additional services include support with housing, transportation, and language assistance.

A temporary employment contract for up to 18 months is a common form of employment through an agency. Verification of the agency’s license and client reviews is necessary to prevent fraud.

Living Conditions in Poland Through the Eyes of Immigrants

Everyday life in Poland requires adaptation to new systems and financial realities. Foreigners, after obtaining documents and employment, face practical issues of settling into life in the country.

Cost of Living: Housing, Food, Transport

Living expenses in Poland amount to 3,000-5,000 złoty per month for one person in 2024. Warsaw requires about 5,000 złoty ($1,300) monthly, Lublin costs approximately 3,000 złoty ($780).

Housing rental forms the main expense. Warsaw offers studio apartments in the center for 3,200-4,000 złoty, on the outskirts for 2,000-2,500 złoty. Krakow demonstrates more affordable prices: from 1,800 złoty on the outskirts to 3,500 złoty in the center. A room in a shared apartment costs approximately 1,200 złoty ($310) per month.

Food requires 800-1,500 złoty monthly. Biedronka and Auchan supermarkets offer affordable prices for essential goods. Basic products cost: bread (500 g) — 3.60 złoty, milk (1 L) — 2.90 złoty, eggs (12 pcs.) — 10 złoty, chicken fillet (1 kg) — 19 złoty.

Public transport provides a monthly pass costing 100-120 złoty. A single ticket costs 4.40 złoty ($1.14), a day ticket — about 15 złoty.

Healthcare and Insurance

Medical insurance is a mandatory requirement for foreigners in Poland. The system includes compulsory insurance (NFZ), voluntary and private.

Officially employed foreigners gain access to state medicine through employer contributions of 9% of wages. Coverage includes medical consultations, hospitalization, and emergency medical care.

Voluntary insurance in NFZ for the unemployed costs about 540 złoty per month. Private medical insurance costs from 50 to 300 złoty per month depending on the selected service package.

The healthcare system faces problems with queues when making appointments with specialists. Night and holiday medical services are available free of charge at public medical facilities.

Education and Kindergartens

Education for foreign children in public schools is provided free of charge up to 18 years of age. Preschool education includes three stages: nursery (żłobek) for children 1-3 years old, kindergarten (przedszkole) for children 3-6 years old, and preparatory class (zerówka) for children 6-7 years old.

Public kindergarten provides free stay during the first five hours. Additional hours are paid at the rate of 1-3 złoty per hour. Meals cost about 8 złoty per day. A full day in a public kindergarten costs up to 400 złoty per month.

Private kindergartens provide an individual approach with groups of 7-12 children. The cost is 600-900 złoty per month excluding meals.

Kindergartens serve as an effective tool for language adaptation for foreign children. After 2-3 months of attendance, children demonstrate good command of the Polish language.

Taxes and Social Contributions

Income tax (PIT) is mandatory for foreigners working in Poland. The progressive taxation system provides: income up to 30,000 złoty per year is not taxed, from 30,001 to 120,000 złoty — rate of 12%, over 120,000 złoty — 32%.

Specialists under 26 years of age enjoy a tax benefit with exemption from income tax with an annual income of up to 85,528 złoty.

The employer is obliged to make contributions to the social insurance fund (ZUS) for each employee. ZUS provides access to medical services and pension savings. Contributions are mandatory for official employment.

Foreigners residing in Poland for more than 183 days a year acquire the status of tax resident. Tax residents are required to pay taxes on all income, including that received outside Poland.

Where to Live in Poland: City Overview

The choice of city for residence determines adaptation conditions and career opportunities. Each Polish city has specific characteristics of the labor market and cost of living.

Warsaw: Capital of Opportunities

Warsaw provides the highest salaries in the country and a dynamic labor market. The capital has an extensive transport network, including metro, trains, and trams. Industrial and logistics centers with international companies create a constant demand for specialists of various profiles. The cost of living in Warsaw exceeds that of other Polish cities.

Krakow: Cultural and Student Center

Krakow attracts with its historical heritage and cultural activity. The Old Town is included in the UNESCO list, which ensures tourist attractiveness. The city functions as a center of Polish student life with 24 higher education institutions, including the Jagiellonian University. The cost of living in Krakow is lower than Warsaw’s figures but remains high relative to other cities. Krakow is developing as a center of modern technology, especially in the IT sector.

Wrocław and Poznań: Work-Life Balance

Wrocław represents a major business center in southwestern Poland. The city hosts the headquarters of Google, Nokia, and PWC. Wrocław is among the top three leaders in the development of the business services sector. The average salary is 1,200 euros, the cost of housing rental ranges from 542 to 1,200 euros.

Poznań demonstrates the lowest unemployment rate in the country — 1.1%. The city implements the “Smart City” initiative with the Airbag Poznań foreigner support system and the Migrant Info Point center. The average earnings reach 1,142 euros.

Gdańsk: Maritime Climate and Industry

Gdańsk functions as an important port city with the second largest economic development index in the country. The maritime location ensures the development of logistics, tourism, and industry. The city attracts investors and hosts business events at national and international levels. Gdańsk offers a stable labor market with diverse vacancies and the possibility of direct employment.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Living in Poland

The decision to relocate requires an objective assessment of living conditions in the country. Poland provides certain opportunities along with existing limitations that affect the quality of life of foreign workers.

The geographical location in the center of Europe provides opportunities for movement within the Schengen zone. Membership in the European Union ensures access to European labor markets and educational programs.

Bureaucratic procedures require significant time investment. The average processing time for residence card applications is 206 days across the country. The Lubusz Voivodeship demonstrates maximum review periods of up to 250 days.

The Polish language is a necessary requirement for interaction with government institutions. English is used predominantly by the younger generation, which limits communication possibilities in everyday situations.

The healthcare system is characterized by long waiting periods for appointments with specialists. The need to use private medical services increases healthcare expenses.

Conclusion

Poland today is one of the most popular destinations for those seeking stable work abroad. Here, labor is in demand, the economy is growing, and attitudes toward foreign specialists are becoming increasingly open.

Of course, for legal residence and work, you need to go through the process of documentation. First — a temporary residence permit, over time — you can apply for a permanent one. This will give you more rights and provide access to social protection and other public services.

It’s best to look for work in several places at once: on job sites, through agencies, or by recommendations. If you don’t know Polish yet — no problem. There are areas where you can start working without it. But knowledge of the language will definitely open up more opportunities.

Relocation is not only about finding a job but also adaptation: local registration, housing, healthcare, schools, understanding local rules. In Poland, this is easier than in many other EU countries. It’s safe here, many services are accessible, and within the European Union, you can move freely.

Before packing your bags, it’s worth studying everything in advance: read about the country, calculate your budget, talk to those who have already moved. This will help avoid unpleasant surprises and make your move as comfortable and successful as possible.