How the Employment of Foreigners in Poland Will Change in 2026

Significant changes in the employment of foreigners in Poland, which started in 2025, will continue in 2026. The new rules digitalized the submission of documents, enhanced the protection of mobile workers, and simultaneously increased the administrative pressure on employers. The greatest risks await Ukrainian citizens due to the possible expiration of the special law and complications with legalization. This is reported by In Poland.

The main innovations are - mandatory submission of documents in electronic form, expanded reporting, written contracts with translation into the worker's language, and informing about the right to join a trade union. This has strengthened the protection of hired foreigners but also increased business costs. Employers are required to report the start and end of work, retain more documents, and monitor the validity of residence permits. The greatest burden is on small and medium-sized businesses.

Employment of Foreigners in Poland: What Will Change in 2026

The year 2026 may become the most challenging period since the pandemic. The combination of new rules, long queues in voivodeships, and the lack of a decision on the extension of temporary protection for Ukrainians poses a threat to the labor market's functionality. Long waiting times for decisions on residence cards - months or even years - complicate planning. According to experts, due to new requirements, businesses may lose up to 7% of workers.

Employment of Foreigners in Poland: Which Tools Have Proven Most Effective

Special attention is given to the notification mechanism for work assignments introduced in 2022. It has become one of the most successful solutions during the crisis, allowing companies to quickly and legally hire Ukrainian citizens without lengthy bureaucratic procedures. Experts emphasize that without this tool, many enterprises could have come to a standstill.

The main consequences of the reforms for foreigners and employers:

• Complications with legalization due to the possible expiration of the special law
• Increased digitization and state control
• More administrative obligations for employers
• Risk of losing part of the workforce in 2026.

Comment from expert Vitaliy Belents, a specialist in the employment of foreigners:

«The transition to stricter rules is inevitable, but it will hit small businesses the hardest. Ukrainian workers remain the key workforce in logistics, trade, and production, and any disruptions with legalization will be immediately felt in the market. If the special law is not extended, the number of vacant positions may increase dramatically. Employers need to factor in these risks into their plans now».

Earlier we reported that there is increasing talk in Poland about the employment problem of foreigners over 55 years old.