Key changes in the employment of foreigners from June 1, 2025.

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Key changes in the employment of foreigners from June 1, 2025.

folder Kadry i Płace – JDG, Kadry i Płace – Spółki person Igor Kyrczewski calendar_today 2025-06-12

As of June 1, 2025, a new law from March 20, 2025 on the conditions for the admissibility of assigning work to foreigners comes into effect. It replaces the previous regulations from the Employment Promotion Act. The goal: faster, safer, less bureaucracy, more digitization. 

1. Everything digitally – only through praca.gov.pl

 From now on, there is zero paperwork – all formalities are done exclusively online through praca.gov.pl. What can you do there?

  • submit an application,
  • check the status of the case,
  • exchange documents with the office.


2. End of the labor market test

 There is no longer a need to obtain an opinion from the county office about the "lack of hands to work" locally. Instead, the county office can create a list of occupations exempt from the need for a permit, but you don't have to use it.
 

3. New information obligations for employers

 If you employ based on a declaration (oświadczenie o powierżeniu pracy):

  • Starting work – you must report it to the county office within 7 days.
  • Failure to start work – you have 14 days from the planned date (previously, it was 7 days).
  • You also need to inform if the foreigner finished earlier than stated in the declaration.


If the foreigner is working on a work permit:

You must inform the office when: 

  • The foreigner did not start work within 2 months of the date of the permit,
  • There was a break longer than 2 months,
  • They finished work more than two months before the license was due to expire.

(Previously, this concerned breaks of 3 months).
 

If the foreigner has a temporary residence and work permit:

 You have 15 days to notify the voivode about:

  • the loss of work by the foreigner,
  • change of position (without changing the scope of duties),
  • change of the civil law contract to an employment contract.


4. Obligation to send a copy of the contract

 You must send a copy of the contract (in Polish) through the electronic system before employment.

  • In the case of contracts for assistance with harvesting, you have 7 days from the start of work.


5. New conditions for issuing permits 

Conditions:

  • Salary – not lower than the minimum wage and consistent with the salary of other employees in similar positions.
  • Working time – not less than ¼ of a full-time position and not more than full-time. The salary should be proportional.


The permit is valid for a maximum of one year if:

  • The company has been operating for less than a year,
  • The foreigner is working less than ½ of a full-time position (i.e., <20 hours per week).

Refusal of the permit when:

  • The company is a "shell" for the entry of foreigners,
  • The employer has tax arrears, outstanding social insurance contributions, or lacks sufficient funds for salaries.
  • The employer has failed to comply with the control of legal employment in the past 24 months.


6. Greater control, higher penalties

 New penalty rates:

  • up to 50,000 PLN – for illegal employment,
  • 3,000–50,000 PLN – for assigning work without the required documents,
  • 6,000–50,000 PLN – for acting with intent or fraudulently obtaining benefits,
  • up to 10,000 PLN – fine from the National Labor Inspectorate (PIP),
  • 1,000–5,000 PLN – fine for the foreigner.

The fines can be calculated for each employee separately.
 

7. Prohibition of outsourcing foreigners

 You cannot employ a foreigner and send them to another company if you are not a temporary employment agency.

  • Penalty of at least 6,000 PLN for the entity using the work of a foreigner from a "fake" company.
  • A penalty of at least 3,000 PLN is imposed on the employer who delegates such a foreigner themselves.

8. Changes to the EU Blue Card

New regulations have been introduced by EU Directive 2021/1883.

  • Confirmation of qualifications: not only a diploma but also work experience (3 years – professions from the list, 5 years – others).
  • Mobility: more effortless movement and work in other EU countries.

 

🟡 What does this mean for you?

 If you are hiring or planning to hire foreigners:

  • Ensure you have an account on praca.gov.pl – all job postings are processed through this portal.
  • Review your procedures, especially the information obligations towards the authorities.
  • If you are using outsourcing, check if you are operating legally.
  • Keep an eye on updates – the law is fresh ,and additional guidelines may appear.
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