Work Permits and Visas in 2024: Your Handbook for Poland

Poland is one of the countries that’s becoming very attractive to expats. Its booming economy, paired with low living costs and great Polish hospitality offers a great environment for starting or expanding your business or remote team.

You should learn about Polish laws and regulations to relocate an employee or team member to Poland. Possibly the most complex part, especially if your company doesn’t have experience navigating international hiring, is obtaining the work permits and visas you might need.

These requirements may vary depending on the country you’re coming from, as Poland has different requirements for people with European citizenship, people from countries that are part of the Schengen area, and those that do not belong to the European Union.

There are exceptions to each of these rules as well. For example, the type of work the employee does will significantly affect which work permit or visa they need, or if they need one at all.

Make sure to inform yourself of exceptions and detailed processes per employee. You may also consult with relevant authorities, an EOR or PEO to ensure your workers have all the necessary documentation to live and work in Poland legally.

Let’s go through the work permits and visa types available to employees in Poland. Employers should understand what these requirements are and what steps they need to take to hire people legally in Poland.

Work permits in Poland

Before you start applying for visas, employees must have work permits. Typically, it’s the employer who gets the work permits for their employees. The employer must submit relevant documentation to Voivode, the local government authority that issues work permits.

Let’s discuss what work permits are available, and which ones you should help your employees obtain.

1. Type A work permit

Employers operating in Poland that want to relocate their employees may request a type A work permit.

Employers need to submit a relevant application document to apply for this permit. It should also include a copy of a valid travel document, including all filled-in pages. In some cases, the employer will have to conduct a labor market test and proof that confirms the worker fulfills the requirements for the job position.

Depending on the circumstances, the employer may have to provide additional documentation. They are also required to pay the necessary fees.

2. Type B work permit

Type B work permit is issued to individuals who take on responsibilities as a board member of a Polish company, or as a capital company in the organization. This visa also applies to individuals running a limited partnership business as a general partner.

To apply for this type of visa, entrepreneurs should submit an application for a work permit, which will require a specific set of documents. One of the main documents is a valid travel document, company agreement, and documents confirming the state of employment throughout the year before submitting your application.

Other documents may be required, so it’s best to consult with relevant authorities before you submit your application.

3. Type C work permit

Type C work permit is issued when someone works for a non-Polish employer but is delegated to Poland’s branch or facility. To be eligible for this work permit, the employee must be delegated to a Polish branch for more than 30 days.

Some documents the type C work permit needs are based on confirming the employee’s current employment, and their purpose in Poland’s company or business. It requires documents that prove the work is performed for the foreign employer, and are delegated to work in Poland.

It also requires a letter of delegation from the current employer, a valid passport, and any additional documentation proving the worker’s right to work in the country.

4. Type D work permit

Type D work permit is often issued to employees working for a foreign employer that has no branch or other organized activity in Poland. Employees' services under this work permit are typically temporary and occasional.

To obtain a Type D work permit, you need a similar set of documents to those you need to submit for a Type C work permit. You need a document that confirms your business activity, proof of delegation, and a copy of an agreement based on which the service will be provided. Employees will typically need a valid passport.

5. Type E work permit

Type E work permit is the one that will be issued for a foreign employee working for a foreign employer. This permit covers an employee’s right to work in Poland and doesn’t fall under categories B, C, or D.

To be eligible for a Type E work permit, Poland’s authorities need confirmation from the competent authority about the legal status and type of work the employee does, a letter of delegation, and other documents.

Types of visas available in Poland

Once you’ve obtained the necessary visas for your employees, it’s time to start working on acquiring visas.

Poland offers a variety of visas, but which would suit your business and company’s needs will depend on your employee's nationality, duration of their stay, and other factors.

1. Visa-free staying and working in Poland

Depending on your employees’ country of origin, they might not need a visa if you want to have your team in Poland for up to 90 days.

This applies to European Union citizens and some of the countries in the Schengen agreement. The latter include Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland, among others.

There are also countries outside Western Europe whose citizens have the opportunity to work in Poland without a visa. These include Moldova, Ukraine, Armenia, Georgia, Russia, and Belarus.

Seasonal work permits are also available, which allow foreigners to stay and work in the country for the proposed amount of time. It can be up to 9 months within the calendar year.

2. Business visa

Those looking to stay in Poland or visit for less than 90 days may rely on a Schengen visa for short stays. You can also rely on a Type C visa for business meetings and short stays. Both will allow you to visit the country and attend business meetings.

You can travel to Poland on business without a visa if you are coming from another EU country or one that belongs to the European Economic Area (EEA).

3. Freelance visa

Unfortunately, Poland doesn’t offer freelancer or digital nomad visas. On top of that, it is illegal to visit Poland on a travel visa and work. You need a Polish employer to obtain a work visa if you come from outside the EU and EEA to live and work in Poland.

However, you can apply for a type D work permit in Poland granting you a two-year stay. For this visa, you must register as a sole proprietor in the country and pay Polish taxes.

On the other hand, if you are an EU or EEA citizen, you can work in Poland as a digital nomad without restrictions. It’s advisable to register your residence at the relevant authority if you plan to stay and work for longer than three months.

4. Type D visa

Type D visa is issued to non-EU or EEA citizens who would like to stay and work in Poland for longer than 90 days. Type D visa is typically granted for up to a year.

Type D visa is often interchangeably called “work visa”. Once an employer obtains work permits, the employee usually applies for a Type D visa. A Type D visa is also issued to students, and those visiting their family in Poland.

European Union blue card

Many countries offer specialized visas for highly qualified employees, and Poland is no exception. It issues the European Union’s Blue Card visa, given to foreigners outside of the EU. This card allows them to work and live in Poland. However, the skill set they excel in might be in more or less demand in the country of their choice.

With this card, employees can perform the work they declared in the application. This card can be valid for three months up to three years.

To qualify for a European Union blue card in Poland, the applicant must meet the following criteria:

1. Have a higher education qualification and diploma in the type of work they want to do.

2. Have a valid work contract for highly qualified employment that lasted for at least a year.

3. Meet the minimum salary requirements, which in Poland stand around €2,200 per month.

4. Have valid travel documents.

What does the application look like?

Your application process will depend on the type of work permit and visa you want to submit for your workers. As you’ve seen, most of the work around obtaining work permits and visas is up to the employer.

It’s important to establish the purpose of employee time working in Poland and to prepare the necessary documents before applying. Depending on the type of work, different documents may be required.

If you are unsure of the type of work permits you need to get, or about the required documentation, it’s best to consult with the experts. You may opt to contact your EOR, visa agencies, or even the relevant authorities to inform yourself of the specifics of your case.

What documents do you need to submit for visa application?

The documents you’ll need to submit depend heavily on the type of visa or work permit you need to get. Typically, your employees must have valid passports, health insurance, and proof of their education.

The rest of the necessary documents for visa applications fall on the employer, or a partner EOR. The employer has to provide the letter of employment and documents relevant to the company itself. These may include the deed of the company, the current record of the company’s economic activity, and a copy of the profit and loss statement of the employer company.

For some work permits, the employer will also have to provide documents that prove the employee is delegated to Poland. In other cases, the employer will have to conduct a Labor Market test, to check whether they could hire local talent instead.

How much does a visa for Poland cost?

The visa fees for Poland vary, depending on the type of visa, work permit, nationality, and other factors. On average, you can expect to pay €80 for a visa application. This price applies for short-stay and long-stay visas for non-EU/EEA or Swiss citizens, family visas, and work visas.

Another fee you’ll have to meet is the one required for a residence permit, which costs €140 for permanent residence, and €74 for temporary one. There’s also the cost of medical insurance which stands at €106.

What are the processing times for visa applications?

The processing times also vary. The waiting time will depend on the work permit you have applied for and on the local authority issuing it. For example, in Kraków, the screening and decision typically takes 55 days, while it takes 98 days in Wrocław.

Generally, the employee will know the Voivoda decision on the work permit within 30 days. Then, the visa process can take anywhere from a month to three months.

You should apply for a work permit and visa at least three months in advance. On average, the process for obtaining both documents can take 10-12 weeks.

FAQ:

How many types of work permits are there in Poland?

There are five work permits currently available in Poland, and those are type A, B, C, D, and E permits. These are issued to employees working for either a Polish company or are delegated to a Polish company by a foreign employer.

Can US citizens work in Poland?

Yes, US citizens can work in Poland, but they have to obtain both a work permit and a work visa to do so. Depending on the type of work and length of stay, you have several options in terms of visa and permits. It’s best to inform yourself with the relevant authorities or your EOR on your options.

Is it possible to convert a tourist visa to a work permit in Poland?

No, Poland doesn’t allow you to convert a tourist visa into a work permit. It’s the same as almost all EU countries. Tourist visas and work permits require completely different procedures and documentation. If you want to work in Poland, you need to apply for a work permit and work visa instead.

What is the minimum bank balance for a Poland work visa?

If you want to go and work in Poland with the EU blue card visa, the minimum amount of money you need to have monthly is €2,200 per month. Other than that, Poland needs you to have PLN 75 for each day in case of stays exceeding 4 days, or other documents proving that you have means to support yourself.