Poland Implements Immigration Reform for Employers

Key Changes  

• Poland’s new immigration rules, effective 1 June 2025, mandate electronic work authorization, tighter compliance and higher penalties for illegal employment 

Key Changes in Work Authorization Rules 

Poland implemented updated regulations governing the employment and residence of foreign nationals on 1 June 2025. Employers will face new requirements related to electronic work authorization procedures, expanded rejection criteria for applications, and stricter compliance measures.

Key Employer Obligations:

Employers entrusting work to foreigners under a Work Permit or Single Permit must notify authorities about specific events, even if employment began before 1 June 2025. Notifications must be submitted within defined deadlines:

Work Permit Holders:

• Notify the immigration office within seven days of events such as changes in company name, legal form or workplace transfers.
• Report if a foreign employee fails to start work within two months, suspends work for over two months or terminates employment earlier than two months before the permit expires.

Single Permit Holders:

• Notify the immigration office within 15 working days of changes in company details, employment contracts, job titles and salary increases.
• Employers must also report termination of a foreign employee’s work within 15 days.

Compliance & Penalties:

• Work Permit Breaches: Fines ranging from PLN 500 to PLN 5,000 apply for failing to meet notification requirements.
• Single Permit Breaches: No specific penalties are outlined in the new regulations.

Additional Changes:

• Expanded Rejection Criteria: Applications may be rejected if the job primarily benefits a third party, the employer is deemed financially non-compliant, or the company was established solely to hire foreign workers.
• Heightened Work Authorization Scrutiny: Employers must submit employment contracts before work begins and adhere to stricter compliance standards.
• Increased Penalties: Employers face fines between PLN 3,000 and PLN 50,000, while unauthorized foreign workers could be fined between PLN 1,000 and PLN 5,000.
• Fast-Track Processing: Certain sectors deemed economically significant may benefit from prioritized work permit approvals.
• Remote Work Adjustments: Occasional remote work for foreign entities unconnected to Poland’s economy will not require a work permit, though standard remote work regulations remain unchanged.