Working in Poland: where Ukrainians most often find employment

For several years now, the Polish labour market has relied on the work of Ukrainians, who have taken up key positions in sectors with chronic staff shortages. Changes in employment rules, document requirements and new conditions for receiving social benefits directly affect the choice of professions and employment stability. Find out in which areas Ukrainians most often find work in Poland

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Ukrainians remain one of the key groups of foreign workers in Poland. Their employment largely determines the stability of entire sectors of the economy, which have been experiencing a shortage of local workers for many years. Experts note that Ukrainian workers do not ‘displace’ Poles from the labour market, but fill a systemic shortage of personnel.

In which sectors do Ukrainians most often work?

According to Piotr Rogowiecki, an expert at the Employers of Poland organisation, Ukrainians are mainly employed in sectors where demand for workers consistently exceeds supply. He spoke about this in an interview with the Polish Press Agency, as reported by the industry publication InPoland.

The most in-demand areas remain:

- construction and related technical specialities;

- industry and manufacturing enterprises;

- services, including cleaning and logistics;

- transport and warehouse work;

- catering;

- care for the elderly and domestic help.

These areas are considered to be the most vulnerable to labour shortages, especially during periods of economic growth or seasonal increases in workload.

Legal status and access to the labour market

Free access for Ukrainians to the Polish labour market was ensured by the law on assistance to Ukrainian citizens, adopted in 2022. It abolished the need to obtain separate work permits. To live and work legally, it is sufficient to obtain a PESEL number.

However, the special law has been amended several times. In particular, social benefits under the 800+ programme were linked to official employment. In addition, from 1 January 2026, it will only be possible to apply for a PESEL number in person at a state institution, which may complicate the procedure for some migrants.

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How many Ukrainians work in Poland

According to data from the Polish Social Insurance Institution (ZUS), by the end of 2024, approximately 1.19 million foreign workers were registered in the country. The largest group among them are citizens of Ukraine.

A report by the Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego (BGK) for March 2025 shows that Ukrainians account for approximately 5% of all workers in Poland. Over the last decade, their contribution has accounted for between 0.5% and 2.4% of the country's annual GDP growth, a figure that experts consider strategically important for the economy.

Why stable rules are important for Poland

Economists and business representatives emphasise that any changes to the rules governing the stay and employment of foreigners must be introduced in advance and with maximum transparency. According to Piotr Rogowiecki, sudden and unpredictable legislative measures could trigger a mass exodus of Ukrainian workers.

Such a scenario, according to experts, would negatively affect Poland's economic potential — primarily in construction, industry and services, where dependence on foreign labour has already become systemic.

It is important to remember: the employer not only has the right to protect the interests of the company, but also the obligation to take into account the health of the employee and act proportionately. If you have doubts about the legality of the employer's actions, it is worth seeking professional advice. The Visit Ukraine platform offers the services of lawyers specializing in employment abroad, who help Ukrainians in Poland understand employment contracts, sick leave, and the protection of their rights in the event of conflicts with their employer.

Reminder! From 2026, applying to Polish consulates will become more expensive: Poland has updated its fees for most consular services, including document processing and urgent procedures. The new rates apply to all applications submitted after 1 January, and in some cases the fee has increased by almost a third. Find out how much you will now have to pay.

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