In many cases, legally working in Poland requires obtaining a work permit. However, the regulations also provide for situations in which a foreign national may work without such a requirement.
Why is a work permit required and what is important to know about it?
A work permit is a document authorizing a foreign national to work under the conditions specified in the permit, provided that they have legal residence in Poland. If a work permit is required in your case, you cannot legally work without it. Illegal employment may result in consequences provided for by law, including financial penalties, a decision requiring you to return to your country of origin or, in certain cases, a ban on re-entering Poland.
In most cases, obtaining a work permit requires the entity entrusting the foreign national with work or with the performance of a specific function to submit the relevant application.
MAGFIN supports foreign nationals and employers with documentation and work permit procedures.
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How to Obtain a Work Permit for a Foreign National?
To obtain a work permit, the appropriate application must be submitted electronically together with the required documents.
Our qualified staff handles this type of procedure. We complete the application and submit it to the competent voivode. If the office requests additional documents or information, we assist with preparing and submitting the required materials. If you need assistance with this matter, please contact us.
We will help you throughout the entire procedure for obtaining the decision.
The application must be accompanied by the documents required for the particular procedure. The required documentation depends on the type of work permit and the individual circumstances of the case.
For example:
- the foreign national’s passport;
- a document confirming their legal stay in Poland, if required;
- a draft employment contract, its terms and conditions, or a document confirming that the contract has been concluded;
- documents concerning the employer or the entity entrusting the foreign national with work;
- documents confirming that the foreign national has the qualifications necessary to perform the work;
- other required documents.
Each case concerning the obtaining of a work permit requires an individual assessment. Our specialists help determine which conditions must be met and which documents will be required in a particular procedure.
Processing may take several weeks or months, depending on the type procedure, documentation and workload of the competent office.
Are you worried about getting confused by the required certificates and submitting an incomplete set of documents?
Waiting for a Work Permit
MAGFIN prepares and submits work permit applications on time, provided the client promptly provides all necessary information and documents. Once submitted, the waiting time depends on the proceedings at the relevant office and the number of pending cases.
It is also worth remembering that application processing times vary significantly depending on the voivodeship. In less busy offices, the procedure from submission to the issuance of a decision may take one to one and a half months. In the most heavily burdened regions, waiting just for the application to be accepted may exceed 6 months.
The processing time is also affected by the legally prescribed order in which applications are considered (Article 27 of the Act on the Conditions for Entrusting Work to Foreign Nationals). Therefore, applications are not always processed solely according to their submission date.
The following applications are given priority:
- applications submitted by entrepreneurs included in the relevant list;
- subsequent permits for the same employer and the same foreign national, provided that the employment conditions are no less favourable than those specified in the previous permit;
- applications concerning foreign nationals working in occupations included in the relevant list;
- other applications.
The processing time may also be affected by additional steps required during the proceedings. It may also depend on the need to provide supplementary documents and technical issues.
We accompany you at every stage, from the start of the procedure until you receive the decision.
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Key conditions specified in the work permit
Work permits issued by the voivode on the basis of an application submitted by the employer or another authorized entity specify the key conditions. These are the conditions under which the foreign national may work, including:
- the details of the employer (or another authorized entity);
- the position and type of work to be performed by the foreign national;
- the place where the work will be performed;
- the foreign national’s agreed remuneration (hourly, monthly or annual);
- the contract type for the work performance (e.g., employment or mandate contract);
- the working time or number of working hours per month;
- the period for which the work permit remains valid.
Extension of a work permit: how to do it?
An employee who wishes to continue working legally must obtain an extension of the work permit. An extension is possible provided that the applicable requirements are met. First, the employer should submit an application for an extension of the work permit within the prescribed time limit. The application should contain all information and documents required by law for the particular procedure.
Please note that an extension may be refused if legal requirements are not met or the employer has violated Polish regulations on employing foreign nationals. Therefore, before submitting the application, we recommend seeking assistance from our experts. It should be verified whether both the company and the employee meet all the required conditions.
It should also be remembered that, in certain circumstances, the authorities may not only refuse to extend the work permit but also initiate proceedings to revoke the foreign national’s work permit. This may occur in particular when the actual employment conditions differ from those stated in the application or when the foreign national works in a position other than the one for which the permit was issued. It is therefore essential that all information provided is accurate and truthful.
Not sure whether your documents meet all the requirements of Polish law?
Current Types of Work Permits in Poland
As of 1 June 2025, a new classification of work permits has been in force. The previous Type A, B, C, D and E designations have been replaced by names corresponding to the nature of the work performed. In addition, as of 1 January 2026, new designations for electronic applications have been introduced in the praca.gov.pl system.
– For a foreign national employed by a Polish employer (ZC-WWZPP)
This permit is intended for foreign nationals employed by an employer that has its registered office or conducts business activity in Poland. It corresponds to the former Type A work permit.
– Performing a specific function in a Polish entity (ZC-WWZF)
This applies to individuals managing Polish companies, including board members and commercial proxies. It replaces the former Type B work permit.
– In connection with the assignment of a foreign national by a foreign entity (ZC-WWZD)
This includes foreign employees posted to Poland by overseas employers to provide services or work at branches. It combines the scope of the former Type C, D and E work permits.
– Seasonal work (Type S)
This remains a separate type of work permit intended for seasonal work specified in the regulations. It may be issued for a period not exceeding 9 months in a calendar year. No ZC-XXX designation has been introduced for this type of permit because it is processed under a separate procedure.
What are the costs of applying for a Work Permit?
When submitting an application, the appropriate fee must be paid. The amount depends on the length of the employment period and the type of Work Permit:
- In the case of employing a foreign national for a period of less than 3 months, the fee is PLN 200.
- For employment lasting more than 3 months, the fee increases to PLN 400.
- In the case of assigning an employee to work in Poland, the fee is PLN 800.
Employing a foreign national without a Work Permit: is it worth breaking Polish law?
The absence of a required Work Permit may have serious consequences for both the employee and the employer. Under current regulations, foreign nationals requiring a permit can work in Poland once conditions are met.
If the required Work Permit is not obtained, working in Poland may be considered illegal. In such a situation, the employee may face serious financial and administrative penalties. This may result in a decision requiring the foreign national to return and, in certain cases, a ban on re-entry. Furthermore, illegal employees may lose access to benefits and social insurance coverage.
The consequences of not having a Work Permit also apply to the employer. If a foreign national works without a valid Work Permit, the employer may face substantial financial penalties and problems with inspection authorities. Additionally, uninsured employees involved in workplace accidents may face severe consequences.
Therefore, before starting work in Poland, ensure you have a valid permit for legal employment.
Our website helps you understand Polish work permit requirements and the risks of non-compliance. Our specialists are ready to help you complete the application process smoothly and without difficulties.
Want to protect your company from inspections and your employee from unlawful status?
Why Choose MAGFIN?
MAGFIN offers its clients competitive prices for work permit services. By working with us, clients can be confident that costs are reasonable and the application process is handled efficiently. This is why more and more companies choose MAGFIN as their partner when obtaining work permits for their employees.
We provide our clients with comprehensive support throughout Poland. Our team of experts in administrative procedures is always ready to assist and advise on any matter.
If you are looking for experts in work permits in Poland, MAGFIN is here to help. Contact us today and find out how we can assist you!
Why do clients trust us?
MAGFIN has been successfully operating on the market since 2011!
Over the years, we have gained extensive experience in obtaining work permits for foreign nationals. Our experts have in-depth knowledge of the relevant procedures and formal requirements.
At MAGFIN, we do not treat our clients as just another number in a queue. Every client receives individual, professional and fully committed support. We listen to clients and explain Polish work permit options clearly, as local legislation can be difficult to navigate alone. Efficient and properly conducted work permit procedures are always a priority for MAGFIN.
Our services are used not only by individuals but also by companies employing foreign nationals. We provide comprehensive support to companies in obtaining work permits for employees from outside the EU. We have references from numerous companies that have received our professional support and assistance.
Tired of dealing with complex laws and endless bureaucracy?
