The Polish government has halted work on the list of labor shortages that was supposed to simplify the employment of foreigners and reduce bureaucratic procedures for employers. This decision may complicate the search for employees for companies that are already facing staff shortages and delays in documentation processing. This was reported by InPoland referring to Dziennik Gazeta Prawna.
Employment of foreigners in Poland will remain without promised simplifications
The Ministry of Family, Labor, and Social Policy of Poland has confirmed that work on the relevant regulatory act has been suspended and that they do not plan to return to it in the near future.
The draft amendments were submitted for public consultation on January 15, 2026. Businesses hoped that the new rules would help expedite the hiring process for foreigners and reduce the burden on voivodeship offices.
What changes were supposed to be implemented
The planned list of labor shortages included the abolition of one of the most complicated procedures during the processing of foreign workers.
Employers hiring people from such a list could be exempted from the need to obtain confirmation from local authorities about the absence of candidates among Polish workers.
This procedure often prolongs the document processing time and creates additional administrative burdens.
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Why the government changed its position
The ministry explained its decision by the rising unemployment rate. At the same time, business representatives disagree with this argument and emphasize that the labor market situation has begun to stabilize in recent months.
Employers also point out that the shortage of workers in many sectors remains a pressing issue, especially for companies that actively recruit foreigners.
The preservation of current regulations means that companies will continue to face lengthy procedures for legalizing the stay and employment of foreign citizens in Poland.
It should be noted that there is a gradual decrease in the number of Ukrainians in the labor market in Poland. Some Ukrainian labor migrants are returning home, while others are moving to Western European countries in search of higher salaries.