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Getting a work permit in Poland: what you actually need to know

Poland renamed every work permit in 2025. We cut through the new system so you or your employee can start working legally, without delays.

Who needs a work permit?

If you’re a non-EU citizen and want to work in Poland, you’ll almost certainly need a work permit. The employer applies for it, not the employee, and since 1 June 2025 every application is filed electronically through praca.gov.pl to the voivodeship office (urząd wojewódzki) where the company is registered.

Citizens of EU/EEA countries and Switzerland don’t need a work permit. Neither do holders of certain residence permits that already include work authorization.

Who applies
Your employer
Processing time
1 to 3 months (varies by office)
Validity
Up to 3 years
Where it is filed
Voivodeship office

Types of work permits

The A, B, C letters were retired by the Act of 20 March 2025, which came into force on 1 June 2025. Since 1 January 2026, praca.gov.pl accepts applications only under the new descriptive names. Most employers still think in letters, so we give both.

Work for a Polish employer (formerly type A)

The most common permit, for foreigners working in Poland under a contract with an entity based here. Issued for up to 3 years and tied to a specific employer, position, and salary. Officially: zezwolenie na pracę cudzoziemca na rzecz polskiego podmiotu powierzającego pracę cudzoziemcowi.

Holding a specific function (formerly type B)

For board members of a company entered in the KRS register, people running or representing a limited or limited joint-stock partnership, and commercial proxies (prokurent). Required once the stay exceeds 6 months in total within any 12 consecutive months. Officially: zezwolenie na pracę w związku z pełnieniem określonej funkcji.

Posting by a foreign employer (formerly types C, D and E)

One permit now covers all three posting routes: to a branch, plant or representative office of the foreign employer or an affiliated company (formerly C), to deliver an export service on its behalf (formerly D), and any other posting purpose (formerly E). Officially: zezwolenie na pracę w związku z delegowaniem cudzoziemca przez podmiot zagraniczny na terytorium Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej.

Seasonal work permit

For temporary work in agriculture, hospitality, and other seasonal industries. Valid for up to 9 months within a calendar year. Issued by the local starosta (district office), not the voivodeship.

How long does it take?

Processing times depend on which voivodeship office handles your case. In Małopolska (Krakow), employer work permits typically take 1–3 months. Some cases come back within a month, others take longer: it depends on the office, its current workload, and staffing.

What does it cost?

The government fee for an employer work permit is 400 PLN, or 200 PLN if the permit runs for three months or less. A posting permit costs 800 PLN and a seasonal permit 100 PLN. Our service fee depends on the complexity of the case: we’ll quote you a clear price after an initial consultation.

What we handle for you

  • Full document preparation and verification
  • Work permit application submission
  • Communication with voivodeship office
  • Tracking and status updates throughout
  • Renewal management and deadline tracking

Work Permit — Frequently Asked Questions

Typically 1–3 months, depending on the voivodeship office and permit type. Some cases come back within a month, others take longer. We handle the full process from start to finish.

Not on the work permit application alone. However, if the employee also applies for a temporary residence permit (single permit / zezwolenie na pobyt czasowy i pracę), they receive a stamp in their passport that may allow them to work during processing. We’ll advise on the best approach for your situation.

The government fee is 400 PLN for a standard employer work permit, or 200 PLN if it runs for three months or less. Posting permits cost 800 PLN and seasonal permits 100 PLN. Our service fees depend on the case: we provide a clear quote after an initial consultation.

Only the names changed, not what they cover. The Act of 20 March 2025 replaced the letters with descriptive names from 1 June 2025, and since 1 January 2026 praca.gov.pl lists only the new ones. A former type A is now a permit to work for a Polish employer, type B is a permit tied to holding a specific function, and types C, D and E were merged into a single posting permit.

The employer. The work permit application must be submitted by the hiring company. As the employer, you remain the formal applicant, while we manage and support the entire process on your behalf.

Rejections are rare with proper preparation. If it happens, we assess the reason, advise on whether to appeal or reapply, and handle the next steps. Most rejections are due to incomplete documentation, something we prevent by thorough preparation.

What clients say about us

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