Key Takeaways
• Labor Market Test abolished for foreign hires from June 1, 2025.
• Work permits fully digitalized within two years for faster processing.
• New stricter penalties and earlier job contract submission required.
Poland 🇵🇱 is about to change how it manages the employment of foreigners starting from June 1, 2025. These changes follow the new law signed by President Andrzej Duda on April 10, 2025. The law aims to update Poland’s system, making things clearer and simpler. It also responds to the country’s changing economy, the needs of employers, and the growing number of non-European Union foreign nationals looking for job opportunities within Poland 🇵🇱.
Elimination of the Labor Market Test
One of the main changes in the new law is the complete removal of the Labor Market Test. In the past, employers needed to prove that no Polish citizen or permanent resident could fill a position before they could offer it to a foreigner. This step often slowed down the hiring process for foreigners and was seen as a barrier by both companies and workers.
Starting June 1, 2025, this requirement will be gone. Employers will no longer need to show that there are no Polish candidates available for a job before proceeding to hire a foreigner. Instead, local authorities, called powiat offices, will be given the right to create lists of job types where hiring foreigners might be limited. These lists will depend on the specific needs of the local job market. For example, if a certain region has many unemployed workers in one field, the powiat office can limit the employment of foreigners for those jobs.
This shift removes a big hurdle for employers, but it also gives local officials more control. These changes address the complaints of many businesses that found the Labor Market Test slow, confusing, and sometimes unnecessary. However, it also allows regions to respond quickly if unemployment in a specific field becomes too high. As explained by the official government announcement, “This reform reflects the need to balance labor market needs with public interest and community stability.”
How Does This Affect Employers and Job Seekers?
Employers can expect a faster, more predictable process as they no longer need to conduct a Labor Market Test. For foreign applicants, it means fewer delays and less paperwork before receiving a job offer in Poland 🇵🇱. But both groups must stay informed about any powiat-level restrictions that could apply for specific jobs in certain regions.
Before this change, employers faced delays and extra effort to meet the Labor Market Test requirement. Now, the process is simpler and gives regions more tools to match local job needs.
Full Digitalization of the Application Process
The new law also introduces digitalization, which means that the whole process of applying for a work permit in Poland 🇵🇱 will move online. Employers and foreign workers will be able to send applications, upload documents, and receive decisions through a special online system. This online system promises faster and clearer procedures for everyone.
Authorities have given themselves two years to get ready for this major step, making sure that everything works smoothly. This change should make it easier for employers to keep track of their applications and for foreign workers to check the status of their requests at any time.
In the current system, applications are often handled on paper and by mail, which causes delays, confusion, and lost paperwork. With the new digital system, both employers and workers should see things move quicker and with fewer mistakes. As reported by VisaVerge.com, digitalization of immigration procedures often helps remove errors and makes it much easier to track every step of the process.
New Requirements for Job Contracts
Another important rule in the new law is about job contracts. Employers who wish to hire foreigners must now submit a copy of the work contract before the worker can start the job. If the employment is based on a work permit, this contract must be provided before the start date. For seasonal jobs, the employer must submit the contract within seven days after the worker begins.
This rule is meant to increase transparency and limit the risk of fraud or false job offers. In the past, some companies delayed issuing contracts or made promises without proof, which sometimes left foreign workers unsure about their position.
This added requirement will especially help protect foreign workers, as it gives officials a way to check that the job offer is real and that workers know the terms before starting. Employers must adjust their processes to make sure they submit contracts on time, or else risk fines or even losing their ability to hire foreigners.
Compared to before—when employers had more freedom about when to show proof of a work contract—this rule asks for earlier confirmation, creating more legal protection for both workers and the government.
Stricter Penalties and More Checks
The new rules introduce much tougher penalties for employers who don’t follow the law. If an employer hires someone illegally, they can face fines from 3,000 up to 50,000 Polish złoty (PLN). In addition, authorities will carry out more surprise checks to make sure companies are following the rules.
Poland 🇵🇱 is clearly sending a message: unlawful employment of foreigners will have real costs. Under the new system, work permits can be denied not only for breaking the law, but also if a company hasn’t paid social security contributions or if it becomes clear that the work permit is not for a real job (for example, just to help someone get into the country without offering them real work).
This marks a big change from previous years, where penalties were less severe and surprise inspections were rare. The law now supports a much stricter and more hands-on approach, aiming to protect workers and maintain a fair labor market.
Employers need to check their practices carefully and fix any issues with social security or paperwork before hiring foreigners. Being unprepared could result in major financial penalties.
Minimum Working Time for Foreign Employees
In the new rules, employers must offer foreign workers jobs that have at least one-quarter of a full-time workload. If someone gets a part-time contract, they can only get a work permit for one year at a time. This helps ensure that only real, meaningful jobs are granted work permits, and prevents people from applying just for very short-term or “token” jobs.
Previously, there was less clarity about working time and permit validity. Now, the law draws a clear line, with the aim of making sure that work permits support true, ongoing employment in Poland 🇵🇱.
Foreigners who want to work in Poland 🇵🇱 need to check their contracts to be sure they meet the new time requirement. Employers must be ready for shorter permit times for part-time jobs and full compliance for any lower-hour arrangements.
New Support Centers for Foreigners
To help foreigners succeed, Poland 🇵🇱 will create new help centers at county employment offices. These support points will guide newcomers through legal employment and help with integration. Foreigners can turn to these centers for advice on paperwork, work contracts, or their rights as workers in Poland 🇵🇱.
This is a new level of support, compared to the past where such resources were scarce. The government hopes this makes it easier and less confusing to adapt to the Polish labor market.
Employers also benefit, since their foreign workers can get trusted answers and help from public offices, which makes for smoother onboarding and less confusion on both sides.
EU Blue Card Rules Improved
The reform also brings important improvements for EU Blue Card holders in Poland 🇵🇱. An EU Blue Card is a residence permit for highly skilled workers from outside the European Union, making it easier to live and work in EU countries.
Starting in 2025, people with an EU Blue Card in Poland 🇵🇱 will get new rights. They can start their own businesses under the same conditions as Polish nationals, which opens more opportunities for skilled foreigners to invest and start projects. EU Blue Card holders will also be able to switch employers without needing a new permit, making career changes faster and easier. Finally, the minimum length of an employment contract tied to a Blue Card will go down from one year to only six months.
These changes respond to the feedback from foreign professionals and companies, who asked for more simplified and flexible options. The new law gives skilled foreigners more room to grow in Poland 🇵🇱, both as workers and entrepreneurs.
Remote Work Provisions
With more people working from different locations, Poland’s reforms also cover remote work. Under the new law, foreigners can sometimes do occasional remote work for companies outside Poland without a separate Polish work permit. However, if remote work is their main activity, they still need to meet the usual permit requirements. This rule helps clarify what is allowed and removes confusion for both companies and foreign workers who take remote jobs.
This is another update that the old rules did not fully address. As more jobs are done online, these changes make Poland 🇵🇱 more open and clear about what is needed for remote work arrangements.
Timeline and Implementation
Although the reforms become law on June 1, 2025, authorities have up to two years to fully build digital systems and other changes. This long rollout lets employers, officials, and foreign workers get used to new rules step by step, reducing the risk of mistakes.
The government says that it will give regular updates on progress and further guidance on how to use the new online systems and follow contract rules. You can follow official updates at Poland’s government migration page.
Transition and Compliance
There will be an adjustment period to move from the old rules to the new ones. Employers already using foreign staff or waiting on work permits need to watch for extra guidance from authorities about which rules will apply to them. The law is clear that only applications filed after June 1, 2025, fall under the new system.
Employers should get ready by checking their practices, learning about local job restrictions, setting up ways to submit job contracts on time, and making sure they follow digital procedures. Workers should ask about what any changes mean for their applications or permissions. Both groups can turn to the new support centers for help.
Comparisons and Ongoing Debates
These reforms replace a system often described as slow and unclear. The Labor Market Test in particular was a constant issue for employers needing to fill urgent staffing gaps. On the other hand, some labor unions and local politicians have expressed worry that more foreigners may mean fewer jobs for locals in fields facing unemployment.
Government officials argue these changes make it easier to fill labor shortages while still protecting the interest of local workers through flexible, region-based rules. Legal experts, as quoted in several official sources, also say that better oversight and stronger penalties will ensure that companies follow the law and only real jobs are offered to foreigners.
There is ongoing debate about whether the tightened penalties go too far, especially for small businesses. Some groups have called for support to help employers understand and adjust to the new system. Others worry that local job restrictions might be applied too strictly, potentially limiting fair opportunities for foreigners.
Further Legal Processes
While the law has been signed and is officially set to take effect in June 2025, legal experts suggest there may be more detailed rules (“bylaws”) released closer to that time, filling in any gaps. There are currently no known legal challenges to the law, but with any large reform, court cases can happen if people feel the new rules are unfair or not clear.
Next Steps for Employers and Foreign Workers
Employers should carefully review how they hire foreign workers, get ready for the digital application process, set systems to submit contracts early, and check for any social security issues. They should also keep up with lists of job types that may be blocked for foreigners in their local area.
Foreign workers should gather all needed documents, check their job offers meet the new requirements, ask employers about contract submission, and make use of support centers for advice on the transition.
For full details, employers and workers should visit the official Poland migration page, which will post updates as the rollout continues.
Summary
Poland 🇵🇱 is making big changes to the rules for employing foreigners. The Labor Market Test is gone from June 2025. Work permits, contract rules, and penalties will all be stricter, but the new digital process could make things easier and clearer. Both employers and workers should start preparing now to meet new standards. Everyone affected should keep up with official updates to make sure they follow the rules.
This article is for general information only and is not legal advice. For specific questions, readers should seek advice from a licensed immigration lawyer or professional.
Learn Today
Labor Market Test → A process requiring employers to prove no local employee can fill a position before hiring a foreigner.
Powiat Office → Local government unit in Poland given new authority to restrict certain job types for foreign hires.
EU Blue Card → A residence and work permit for highly skilled non-EU nationals in EU countries, offering special rights.
Digitalization → Transitioning all work permit application processes from paper to online, aiming for efficiency and transparency.
Work Permit → Official authorization allowing foreigners to legally work in Poland under specific conditions and restrictions.
This Article in a Nutshell
Poland’s employment law changes starting June 2025 will abolish the Labor Market Test, introduce digital work permit applications, and enforce tougher penalties. Employers and foreigners benefit from faster, clearer processes but must adjust to stricter contract and compliance rules. Awareness of local job restrictions and digital tools is critical moving forward.
— By VisaVerge.com
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