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October 2026

Documents to work in Poland through an agency in 2026: what you need and who arranges it

Profi Hand editorial team · employment agency, KRAZ certificate 32053

Documents to work in Poland through an agency in 2026: what you need and who arranges it

In short: to work legally in Poland through an agency you need a passport and a legal basis of stay (a visa, a residence card, UKR status, or visa-free stay where it allows work). The right to work (a work permit, an oświadczenie, or a notification for Ukrainian citizens) is arranged and paid for by the employer or the agency, not by you. Before your first day you get a written contract in a language you understand and a medical check paid by the employer. Below: a table for your situation and a list of what to prepare.

0 złis what you pay an agency for a job in Poland
7 daysfor the employer to notify the labour office that a Ukrainian citizen started work
up to 24 mo.of work on an oświadczenie for citizens of Armenia, Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine

Three documents you cannot start work without

  1. PassportA valid passport. You show it, but you never hand it over for safekeeping.
  2. Basis of stayA national (D) visa, a residence card, UKR status, or visa-free entry if your country may work on it. The employer must check this document before you start.
  3. Right to workA work permit, an oświadczenie, or a notification of work by a Ukrainian citizen. Filed by the employer or the agency through praca.gov.pl.

What you need: a table by situation

Who you areRight to workWho arranges and pays
Ukrainian citizen with UKR status (temporary protection)Free access to the labour market. The employer notifies the labour office within 7 days of your startThe employer, through praca.gov.pl, free of charge
Ukrainian citizen with a CUKR residence cardFull access to the labour marketYou apply for the card yourself, online through MOS
Citizen of Armenia, Belarus or MoldovaOświadczenie on entrusting work, up to 24 monthsThe employer, online through praca.gov.pl, fee 400 zł
Citizens of other countries (Georgia, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and others)Work permit (formerly "type A"), plus a visa or a residence cardThe employer or the agency, online, fee 200 zł (up to 3 months) or 400 zł
Seasonal work (agriculture and others)Seasonal permit, up to 9 months a yearThe employer, online, fee 100 zł

Only the employer can apply for a permit: in the procedure, the employer is "the only party". A temporary work agency may apply too, and names in the application the company where you will work.

Georgia, Colombia, Venezuela: no work on visa-free stay

Since 22 August 2026 citizens of these countries may not work in Poland if their basis of stay is visa-free entry (Dz.U. 2026 poz. 1072). To work, they need a visa. Those who started work earlier may keep working until their visa-free period ends.

Ukrainian citizens: what matters in 2026

  • Temporary protection is extended to 4 March 2028 (EU Council decision 2026/1912), as the Office for Foreigners (UdSC) announced on 6 August 2026. Some government pages still show the old date, 4 March 2027.
  • The CUKR card is a 3-year temporary residence permit for people who have held UKR status for at least 365 days in a row. Applications are online only, since 4 May 2026; the fee is 340 zł plus 100 zł for the card. With a CUKR card you have full access to the labour market.
  • If you do not have UKR status but stay in Poland legally, you can work on the employer's notification, under the current rules until 5 March 2029.

Before your first working day

WhatWho needs itWho pays
A written contract and a version in a language you understandEvery foreigner, before being allowed to workFree for you
Medical check (badania wstępne)Everyone taken on. Since 18 October 2026 the doctor's certificate is electronicThe employer
Sanitary-epidemiological certificatePeople who produce, pack, store or deliver unpackaged food, prepare meals or wash dishesThe employer or the client
Bank accountPay goes to the account you name, unless you ask to be paid in cash—
PESELGiven free at any municipal office (gmina) on a personal application, or automatically when you register your stay (zameldowanie) for more than 30 daysFree

More on the new electronic doctor's certificate in our news "Work medical check in Poland".

For drivers: your licence

A foreign driving licence from a country that signed the road traffic convention is valid in Poland for 6 months from the start of your stay, and no longer than its own validity. If you live in Poland at least 185 days a year, you can exchange it for a Polish one: fee 100 zł, up to 30 days. Ukrainian citizens with UKR status do not need to exchange an ordinary licence (EU regulation 2022/1280). For work as a professional driver, ask the employer about the qualification requirements (code 95) for the specific vacancy.

What an agency may not do

Stop if

  • you are asked for money "for an invitation", "for the oświadczenie", "for the permit" or "for the job". An agency may not charge you for work in Poland; the fine for it is 3,000 to 30,000 zł. The oświadczenie and the permit are filed and paid for by the employer;
  • someone wants to keep your passport "for safekeeping". The passport is yours. If your documents were taken and not returned, call the KCIK help centre: +48 22 628 01 20;
  • there is no contract, or you do not get it before work starts in a language you understand.

Tip

Take photos of your passport, visa or card and your contract, and keep the copies on your phone. Profi Hand is an employment agency with KRAZ certificate 32053. We help with all documents for legal work, and the coordinator speaks your language. All our services are free for you.

FAQ

What documents do I need to work in Poland through an agency?

A passport, a basis of stay (a visa, a residence card, UKR status, or visa-free stay where it allows work) and the right to work, which the employer or the agency arranges. Before you start: a written contract in a language you understand, and a medical check.

Do I have to pay for an invitation to work in Poland?

No. The oświadczenie or the work permit is filed by the employer through praca.gov.pl, and the employer pays its fee. An agency may not charge you for work in Poland.

What does a Ukrainian need to work in Poland?

With UKR status: just the passport and the status; the employer notifies the labour office within 7 days, free of charge. With a CUKR card: full access to the labour market. Without UKR: a notification or an oświadczenie, arranged by the employer.

How long is an oświadczenie valid?

Up to 24 months. Work must start within 6 months of filing. It is available to citizens of Armenia, Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine.

Do I need a PESEL to work?

You get a PESEL free at any municipal office on a personal application, or automatically when you register your stay for more than 30 days. Ask the employer whether a specific job needs it.

Do I have to pay Profi Hand?

No. All our services are free for you.

Sources

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