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To work legally in Poland, a foreign national needs to do more than just find a job and sign a contract. It is essential to verify two things: whether the person is in the country legally and whether they have the right to work.
Two documents are common in the Polish employment system: oświadczenie and zezwolenie na pracę. Both relate to the employment of foreign nationals, but they differ in terms of duration, procedure, and the groups of people they apply to.
An oświadczenie o powierzeniu wykonywania pracy cudzoziemcowi is a declaration by an employer regarding the assignment of work to a foreign national.
The employer submits the document to the district labor office (powiatowy urząd pracy). Once the oświadczenie is registered, the individual may work under the conditions specified in the declaration.
The document records the details of the employer and the employee, the job title, the place of work, the type of contract, the salary, the duration, and the working hours.
An oświadczenie does not replace a visa, a residence permit (karta pobytu), or any other basis for legal stay. It is a document that pertains specifically to the right to work.
An oświadczenie is issued for citizens of:
• Ukraine;
• Belarus;
• Moldova;
• Armenia.
This document does not apply to citizens of other countries. In such cases, the employer must use a different basis, such as a zezwolenie na pracę.
An oświadczenie is also not used for seasonal work. A separate procedure is in place for seasonal employment in Poland.
An oświadczenie is issued for a period of up to 24 months.
This document is frequently used for jobs in warehouses, manufacturing, packaging, sorting, order picking, and logistics.
Once the validity period expires, you cannot continue working under this document. The employer must arrange for a new basis for employment in advance.
Zezwolenie na pracę is a work permit for Poland.
It is processed by the employer. The application is submitted via praca.gov.pl, and the decision is issued by the voivode.
The permit is tied to a specific foreign national, company, and position. The document specifies the terms of employment: location, salary, contract type, validity period, and working hours.
If the employer, position, or other significant terms change, a new basis for employment is required.
A Type A zezwolenie na pracę is issued for a period of up to 3 years.
This document is suitable for foreign nationals from various countries and is used in a wider range of situations than an oświadczenie.
An oświadczenie is a simplified document for citizens of Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, and Armenia. It is valid for up to 24 months.
A zezwolenie na pracę is a work permit for foreign nationals from various countries. It is valid for up to 3 years.
In simple terms: an oświadczenie is faster and easier but not available to everyone. A zezwolenie na pracę has broader application and requires a more comprehensive procedure.
No. The document is issued for a specific company.
If an oświadczenie or zezwolenie na pracę is issued for one employer, it does not grant the right to work for another firm. When changing jobs, a new basis for employment must be obtained.
Work must comply with the document.
Discrepancies in terms create a risk of illegal employment.
Legal stay and the right to work
Legal residence and the right to work are two different things.
A foreign national may be in Poland legally but not have the right to work in a specific position. Conversely, a work permit does not replace a visa, residence card, or any other basis for legal stay.
Errors in documentation can lead to illegal employment.
Problems arise when a person:
• starts working before their documents are processed;
• works for a different employer;
• holds a different position;
• works at a different location;
• receives a salary that does not match what is stated in the documents;
• continues to work after their documents have expired;
• does not have a legal basis for their stay.
Before you start working, check:
• the employer's name;
• the job title;
• the work location;
• the salary;
• the type of contract;
• the working hours;
• start date of employment;
• document validity period;
• basis for legal stay in Poland.
If the information does not match, the issue must be resolved before your first shift.
No. It is an employer's declaration of intent to employ a foreigner. Once registered, it allows you to work without a zezwolenie na pracę, provided the procedural conditions are met.
Yes, provided the individual has legal status in Poland and the work is performed for the specified employer under the conditions stated in the document.
The employer handles the paperwork. The employee provides their personal details and necessary documents.
Yes, provided there is a separate legal basis for each employer.
Yes. You need a new legal basis for employment whenever you change employers.
The work will be considered illegal. This carries the risk of fines, issues with future legalization, and complications during inspections.
An Oświadczenie and a zezwolenie na pracę are two different documents for legal employment of foreigners in Poland.
An Oświadczenie is issued for citizens of Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, and Armenia. It is valid for up to 24 months and does not apply to seasonal work.
A work permit is issued to foreign nationals from various countries. It is valid for up to 3 years and applies to a wider range of situations.
Before starting a job, it is important to verify the legality of your stay, your work authorization, your contract, and the actual terms of employment.
WorqOn helps foreign nationals find legal employment in Poland, navigate the paperwork, and safely start working for a verified employer.
