Poland may restrict employment of Ukrainians: what will change and what are the risks for the labor market

Poland is preparing changes that may restrict the employment of Ukrainians and affect business. Find out what new rules the government is proposing, who they will affect, and what risks arise for Ukrainian workers and employers

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The Polish government is preparing amendments to a special law on assistance to Ukrainian citizens, which may significantly affect the rules for the legal employment of Ukrainians in Poland and the stability of the labor market itself. The proposed bill has already drawn criticism from employers, as it concerns the working conditions of nearly one million Ukrainians, who currently constitute an important part of the Polish economy.

InPoland reports on the preparation of the changes, emphasizing that the issue is particularly relevant ahead of March 5, when Ukrainian citizens with temporary protection may lose some of the special rights previously introduced.

What does draft law No. UD345 provide for?

On December 29, 2025, draft law No. UD345 was published on the website of the Polish Center for Government Legislation, which provides for the gradual abolition of certain provisions of the special law on assistance to Ukrainian citizens. The document changes not only the approaches to legalizing residence, but also the conditions for the employment of foreigners, which directly affects the work of enterprises.

It is important to note that representative employer organizations were not involved in public consultations, which has already been the subject of separate criticism from the business community.

Nadiya Viniarska, an employment expert at Konfederacja Lewiatan, emphasized that the absence of social partners in the process of preparing changes violates the principles of social dialogue and good legislative practice.

According to her, it is particularly problematic that the draft law concerns acts that determine the legality of the employment of foreigners and the stability of the labor market. For businesses, this means increased legal uncertainty and additional administrative risks.

Restrictions on the simplified employment procedure

One of the most controversial innovations is the restriction of the simplified procedure for assigning work to Ukrainian citizens. The draft law provides that the possibility of working on the basis of a notification will only be available to persons with temporary protection status.

This means that Ukrainians who are in Poland on other grounds (for example, awaiting a decision on a residence permit) may lose access to the simplest and fastest mechanism for legal employment.

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Risks for business and organizational chaos

According to experts, such changes could cause organizational chaos in companies. Employers will have to separately verify the legal status of each foreign employee, which increases the risk of errors during the legalization of work and potential fines.

The simplified procedure has long been one of the most effective tools for businesses, especially in sectors with acute labor shortages. Its restriction could negatively affect both employers and employees themselves.

In this situation, it is important for Ukrainians who are planning to work or already working in Poland to understand their legal status and possible legalization scenarios in advance. That is why more and more migrants are turning to employment lawyers who help them assess risks, prepare documents, and choose a safe option for legal work. Ukrainians can also obtain such advice through Visit Ukraine, which brings together verified specialists in migration and labor law.

Freezing of administrative proceedings until 2027

The bill also provides for the extension of the suspension of deadlines in administrative proceedings concerning foreigners until March 4, 2027. According to Nadiya Vinyarska, this does not simplify the system, but rather blocks the consideration of cases, leaving foreigners in legal limbo.

Currently, the procedure for legalizing residence in Poland takes on average more than a year, and during this time, the legal status of foreigners and their employers remains unstable.

What employers are demanding

Konfederacja Lewiatan calls on the Polish authorities to:

● stop suspending administrative proceedings;

● maintain the possibility of employing Ukrainians under the notification procedure, regardless of their residence status.

If the restrictions are maintained, employers insist on postponing the changes until at least March 2027 in order to introduce transitional provisions and avoid destabilizing the labor market.

We remind you! Poland has set the end date for temporary protection for Ukrainians as March 4, 2026. Read what will happen to the PESEL UKR status, what legalization options will remain, and how to prepare for the new residence rules.

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