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10 min czytania 9 July 2025

Foreigners in Poland — what industries do they work in?

More and more foreigners are working in Poland, and the demand for their labor is constantly growing. Foreigners find employment in a wide variety of industries – from construction and warehousing to catering and care services. What industries do foreigners work in in Poland?

Foreigners in Poland

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Growth in Foreign Employment in Poland

At the end of January 2025, approximately 1,045,000 foreigners were working in Poland. This represents a 4.5% increase compared to January 2024. Foreigners constituted approximately 6.4% of all people working in the country. Although this number decreased by 1.8% compared to December 2024, seasonal fluctuations contributed to this. Ukrainian citizens constituted the largest group, accounting for approximately 701,800 foreigners, or over 67% of all foreigners employed in Poland. Their number increased by 2.2% year-on-year, although it decreased by 1.7% compared to December 2024.

According to data from the Central Statistical Office (GUS), foreign workers came from over 150 countries. The largest foreigners come from:

  • Ukraine – approximately 701,800 people, representing 67% of all foreigners working in Poland
  • Belarus – approximately 10.9% of the group
  • Georgia – approximately 2.2%
  • India – over 2%
  • Colombia – approximately 1.5%
  • Philippines – approximately 1.4%

Other nationalities, such as Moldova, Armenia, Georgia, India and other countries from Asia, Africa and South America, contribute to the increasing diversity of foreigners on the Polish labor market.

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Foreigners in Poland

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Why do foreigners choose Poland?

For several years, Poland has been an increasingly popular destination for those seeking work, stability, and better living conditions. Data from the Central Statistical Office (GUS) show that foreigners in Poland constitute a significant portion of the labor market, and the overall number of foreigners in the country is steadily growing. By early 2025, over 1 million foreigners were working in Poland, demonstrating the attractiveness of the local labor market and the demand for additional labor.

One of the main reasons foreigners choose to live and work in Poland is the employment opportunities. The Polish economy is growing rapidly, and many sectors—such as manufacturing, logistics, construction, agriculture, and care—are experiencing staffing shortages. As a result, more and more companies are choosing to employ foreigners, often offering them competitive terms, legal contracts, and opportunities for professional development.

The decision to come to Poland is also influenced by geographic proximity (e.g., in the case of citizens of Ukraine, Belarus, or Georgia), the relatively low cost of living compared to Western European countries, and the growing number of services supporting adaptation: employment agencies, language courses, translators, and advisors assisting with the legalization of stay.

It’s also worth noting that the number of foreigners settling in Poland is growing not only for professional reasons. More and more people are starting families here, sending their children to school, establishing businesses, and planning longer stays. For them, Poland is becoming a place where they can not only work but also lead a normal life and develop in many ways.

Most Popular Industries for Foreigners

With the increasing number of foreigners in the Polish labor market, the employment structure is also changing. Today, foreigners can be found working in many industries, and companies are increasingly willing to hire foreigners – both for simple manual labor and for positions requiring specific skills. Matching foreigners’ qualifications to the needs of Polish employers is also crucial.

Production and Industry

One of the most popular industries in which foreigners work is the manufacturing and industrial sector. Jobs on assembly lines, packaging goods, or in processing plants are available year-round, regardless of the season. Some companies offer training, so high qualifications are not always required.

Construction

The construction industry has been struggling with a labor shortage for years. Hiring foreigners helps fill staffing shortages, especially among construction assistants, carpenters, bricklayers, and machine operators. For many foreigners, it offers a chance for stable employment and good earnings, especially with longer contracts.

Warehouses and Logistics

The number of foreign workers employed in logistics centers, warehouses, and courier companies is also increasing. Work in sorting, packing, and unloading goods, or operating simple warehouse systems, often does not require knowledge of Polish, which is an additional advantage for new foreign employees.

Agriculture and Horticulture

During the spring and summer season, many foreigners take up jobs in agriculture – harvesting, tending crops, or packing fruit and vegetables. This sector is particularly eager to employ people from Ukraine, Georgia, and Asia, offering them short-term contracts and accommodation.

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Foreigners in Poland

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Why do foreigners primarily work in these sectors?

Foreigners in Poland most often work in a few select industries. Typically, this is manual labor that doesn’t require fluent Polish or high qualifications. The most job openings appear in sectors such as construction, warehousing, manufacturing, agriculture, and cleaning. These industries face a constant labor shortage, so employers are eager to hire people from abroad. For many foreigners, it’s a chance to quickly find legal employment and start their lives in a new country.

Why do foreigners choose manual labor?

You don’t need to know Polish fluently—in industries like warehousing, construction, factories, or agriculture, employers don’t require a good command of the language. Therefore, it’s an easy way for foreigners to quickly start work upon arrival.

Many job openings—Poland lacks manual labor, so companies are eager to hire people from abroad. They often offer assistance, for example, in finding housing or arranging paperwork.

Seasonal work—in agriculture, restaurants, and hotels, work can be seasonal—for example, only in the summer. Poles don’t always want short-term work, and foreigners often choose it to supplement their income.

Flexible terms – Many companies offer shift work, weekend work, or night work. Some offer temporary contracts or hire through agencies. This is convenient for those just starting out in Poland.

Experience from other countries – Many foreigners have previously worked in manual or technical professions. This makes it easier for them to find similar work in Poland.

Fast employment – ​​In these industries, the formalities are simple, and work is immediately available. Employment agencies often assist foreigners throughout the entire process.

Where else do foreigners work in Poland?

Foreigners in Poland also constitute an important part of office teams, especially in international companies and corporations. In such places, fluency in Polish is often not required—English or another foreign language, such as Spanish, Ukrainian, German, or French, is sufficient. Therefore, many foreigners find employment in customer service, finance, HR, marketing, and IT departments, where they use their native language or English on a daily basis.

The Future of Foreign Employment in Poland

In recent years, the number of foreigners working in Poland has been growing, and this trend is likely to continue in the coming years. The labor market continues to struggle with labor shortages in many industries, making hiring foreigners not only a need, but a necessity for many companies.

The main reason for employing foreigners is the lack of available labor in sectors such as logistics, construction, manufacturing, and senior care. At the same time, the number of foreigners working in services, IT, and modern business centers, where language skills and specialized competencies are crucial, is growing.

The future also shows that foreigners with higher qualifications – specialists and experts needed by the Polish economy – will play an increasingly important role. At the same time, it will be important to create simpler and more user-friendly procedures for legalizing residence and work, and to support professional integration.

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