Poland is changing the rules for hiring foreigners in 2026: what Ukrainians need to know

Poland is preparing for new rules on the employment of foreigners in 2026, which will affect Ukrainians and businesses. Find out what changes the state is preparing, what will happen to the special law, what the risks will be for employees and employers, and how to prepare in advance

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The Polish labor market is on the verge of the most significant changes in recent years. The 2025 reform has already completely restructured the procedures for employing foreigners, and 2026 may be even more challenging due to the expiration of the special law on temporary protection for Ukrainians. This creates uncertainty for both employees and employers.

We explain what has changed in Poland, what risks are expected, and how Ukrainians and businesses can prepare for the new legal environment with a link to InPoland.net.pl.

Digitization of employment: the Polish state has gained more control

The main change in 2025 is the complete digitization of the procedure for hiring foreigners. Applications, registration documents, and reporting are all moving to a digital format. This has allowed the state to:

● track the status of work and residence permits more quickly;

● control who actually works in a company;

● quickly identify violations.

Stronger protection for employees: more rights and less abuse

The new rules require employers to:

● sign a written contract with the foreigner;

● translate it into a language the employee understands;

● provide information about the right to join a trade union;

● document all terms and conditions of employment.

In fact, labor relations are becoming more transparent. Employees are becoming more aware of their rights, which means they are less likely to find themselves in situations of exploitation or unfair pay.

By the way, if you need to check your employment contract, terms of employment, or other documents from your employer, please contact our specialists. Visit Ukraine offers consultations with lawyers who specialize in employment abroad — they will help you figure out whether your contract complies with Polish law and whether there are any risks involved.

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Increased administrative burden on businesses

Along with stronger employee protections, Polish businesses now have new obligations:

● to report the start and end of a foreigner's employment;

● to keep documents and translations for longer;

● to monitor the validity of residence and work permits;

● to interact more closely with regulatory authorities.

For small and medium-sized businesses, especially in logistics, trade, and HoReCa, this creates additional costs and risks. In the event of an error in the documents, the fines can be significant.

2026: the end of the special law and the risk of job loss for Ukrainians

It is predicted that 2026 could be a critical year: the special law that allows Ukrainian citizens to work without complicated bureaucratic procedures may not be extended. This means that:

● Ukrainians will have to return to lengthy legalization procedures;

● waiting for a residence card may take months or years;

● some employees will lose the opportunity to work legally;

● businesses risk losing up to 7% of their staff working under the simplified scheme.

Poland has not yet announced the formula for the future decision, so employers and Ukrainian workers are in a state of anticipation.

Notification of work assignment: will the most convenient mechanism remain in place?

The “notification of work assignment” mechanism, introduced in 2022, has become the most effective way to legally hire Ukrainians. It allows employers to quickly register employees without unnecessary procedures and without the risk of interruptions in production.

But what will happen to it after 2026 is unknown. If the law is not extended, companies will return to the old model of permits, which will significantly complicate and slow down hiring.

If you don't know what to do to avoid fines, illegal status, and labor conflicts, contact our specialists. At Visit Ukraine, Ukrainians can get legal advice on employment contracts, employer verification, legalization deadlines, and employment rules in Poland.

We remind you! Switzerland is taking an important step towards integrating people with S status, including Ukrainians. Read about the changes in employment rules that will take effect on December 1, 2025, and how they will affect employers and people with protection status.

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