Poland's Critical Skills Shortage
In response to a severe labor shortage, Poland has published an official list of in-demand professions, a move designed to streamline the hiring of foreign workers, particularly from Ukraine. Data from the first half of 2025 shows unemployment in the country at 33,000, a figure nearly matched by the 29,000 job vacancies. To address this gap, Polish authorities have already issued over 100,000 work permits to foreign nationals this year.
The Polish Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy has formally identified the following sectors as facing critical shortages:
- Engineering (technologists, construction workers, mechanics, and electricians);
- Healthcare (doctors, nurses, and midwives);
- IT (application developers, database administrators, and systems architects);
- Energy (operators of complex energy equipment);
- Transport (bus and tram drivers);
- Construction and Services (roofers, plumbers, and pipefitters);
- Education (foreign language teachers and teaching assistants).
New Initiatives and Their Impact
The new regulations accompanying the list will expedite work permits and simplify residency procedures, such as obtaining temporary residence cards, for foreigners in these fields. This effectively removes the standard labor market test requirement for these professions. This policy shift is part of a broader European trend of competing for skilled talent to bolster national economies.
"We see the greatest potential precisely in qualified foreigners who are ready to quickly adapt to the needs of our economy."
Polish Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy
Consequently, these changes represent a significant step toward resolving the country's workforce challenges and will facilitate easier employment for Ukrainians in Poland.
Given Poland's acute labor shortages in key sectors, the new initiatives are expected to significantly ease the integration of Ukrainian workers into the Polish economy. By simplifying work and residency procedures, Poland aims to attract more qualified specialists, which should positively impact the development of industries like healthcare, construction, and IT. This underscores the growing importance of foreign labor in supporting Poland's economic growth amidst contemporary labor market challenges.