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10 min czytania 26 June 2025

Work in Poland for foreign students – where to look for offers?

Planning to study in Poland and want to combine your studies with work? It’s possible! Many international students take up legal employment while still studying. Find out where to look for job offers, which industries are most open to foreigners, and what to consider to combine work and study safely and legally.

Work in Poland for foreign students

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Employment of Non-EU Students – Formal Requirements

Working in Poland for international students is an increasingly common phenomenon – many young people are choosing to study and work in our country. However, for students from outside the European Union, employment involves certain formalities and requires knowledge of the regulations.

As a general rule, third-country nationals, i.e., citizens from outside the EU and EEA, require a work permit and a document confirming their legal residence in Poland. However, there is an important exception to this rule: full-time students can be employed without obtaining a work permit.

This is permitted by the regulation of the Minister of Labor and Social Policy of April 21, 2015, which specifies the cases in which foreigners can legally work in Poland without a work permit. This is a significant convenience for both employers and students – it allows them to avoid additional formalities and shortens the start of employment.

This exemption applies only to full-time students, regardless of whether they are studying at a public or private university. The condition is that they maintain valid student status throughout the entire period of employment.

For part-time or extramural students, employers must obtain a work permit before hiring the student. The only exception is EU citizens, who do not require any additional permits.

Employer Obligations When Hiring a Foreign Student

Employing international students in Poland entails specific obligations on the employer’s part. Although full-time students from third countries are not required to obtain a work permit, it is important to ensure that the employment is conducted legally and in accordance with the regulations.

The employer’s primary responsibility is to regularly verify the student’s status. This includes checking the validity of the student ID and updating the university certificate confirming the study mode. This allows the employer to be certain that the foreigner still meets the requirements for legally performing work without a permit.

If a student no longer meets the requirements – for example, by completing their studies, switching to part-time studies, or being removed from the student register – the employer must immediately obtain the appropriate work permit. Failure to do so may be considered illegal employment, which may result in a fine and legal consequences.

Therefore, every case of taking up employment by a foreign student requires vigilance on the part of the employer – only by constantly monitoring documents can full compliance with applicable regulations be ensured and foreigners be employed legally in Poland.

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Work in Poland for foreign students (2)

Read also: Employee benefits – what do employers offer?

Legal Employment of a Foreign Student – ​​What to Watch Out for?

Employing a foreigner in Poland should always be done in accordance with regulations regarding legal employment and legal residence. In the case of foreign students, even those exempt from the work permit requirement, special care and attention to documentation are required.

Above all, the employer should ensure that the candidate maintains student status throughout the entire employment period. It’s also important to remember that simply studying in Poland doesn’t automatically mean the foreigner is legally in the country. Verification of residence documents—e.g., a visa or residence card—is mandatory. The employee must have legal residence, which entitles them to work in the Republic of Poland.

It’s also important to ensure the appropriate provisions in the contract and to complete formalities with the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) and the tax office. Some universities only allow students to work for a limited number of hours, so it’s a good idea to check with the candidate to determine if there are any such restrictions.

How to find a job as an international student?

For many international students, working in Poland is not only a way to improve their financial situation but also an opportunity to gain professional experience in the Polish labor market. Although finding employment on your own can be time-consuming, employment agencies offer significant support, helping with all the formalities and tailoring offers to the student’s abilities.

Employment agencies operating in Poland often collaborate with universities, employers, and government agencies, ensuring they are well-versed in regulations and the actual needs of the market. This is a significant advantage for international students – they don’t have to independently analyze the issues of legal employment or legal residence requirements, as the agency guides them through the entire process step by step.

It’s worth contacting a reputable employment agency at the beginning of your studies – especially one with experience working with foreigners. Consultants will help you prepare your documents, verify your student status, and tailor the job offer to your study schedule and availability.

Thanks to cooperation with the agency, students can find their place in the Polish labor market more quickly and safely, taking advantage of legal employment offers in various sectors: logistics, catering, production, trade and services.

Is working while studying profitable?

For many students, both Polish and international, taking up employment while still studying is a way to achieve financial independence, gain experience, and learn about the realities of the market. But is working while studying actually worthwhile?

More and more students are choosing temporary or seasonal work, especially during the summer holidays. Summer jobs offer the opportunity to earn money quickly without having to give up studying, and flexible schedules often allow students to balance their professional responsibilities with university classes. Such solutions are also popular among foreigners, who take on seasonal work for foreigners in industries such as logistics, catering, agriculture, or manufacturing.

Students are also increasingly willing to take on employment during the academic year – either part-time or on freelance contracts. This allows them to gain their first professional experience, build their CVs, and establish contacts that can prove beneficial after graduation.

Read also: Occupational risk – what is it and how to define it?

How to avoid employer fraud in Poland?

For many international students and employees, working as a foreigner in Poland is a chance to develop, gain experience, and become financially independent. Unfortunately, not all employers operate honestly – so it’s worth knowing how to protect yourself from unfair offers.

Check the legality of the job offer

Before accepting employment, make sure the job offer is legal. Every foreigner – including students – should check whether their legal stay in Poland entitles them to work and whether they are required to obtain a work permit. Full-time students are usually exempt from this requirement, but each situation should be analyzed individually.

Don’t take a job without a contract

Avoid employers who offer illegal work or work without any written contract. In the event of problems – for example, with salary payment – ​​you will have no proof of employment. All legal work by students and foreigners should be confirmed by a contract: a contract of mandate, a contract for specific work, or an employment contract.

Verify agencies and intermediaries

If you use the services of an employment agency, make sure it is listed in the National Register of Employment Agencies (KRAZ). A reputable agency will accurately describe working conditions, help with formalities, and will not charge any fees to the employee.

Be careful when submitting documents

During the recruitment process, never send copies of your passport, visa, or residence card unless you are certain the employer or agency is trustworthy. The legality of a foreigner’s stay is a sensitive topic, so these documents should be submitted with caution.

Get informed

Before signing a contract, search for reviews about the employer online or ask other foreigners who have already worked in the location. If in doubt, you can consult with organizations supporting migrants, universities, or legal employment agencies.

Jobs for International Students

Are you a student looking for a job? Interested in temporary work? Contact our employment agency! We are a labor market institution that helps foreigners find work in Poland. We prioritize regulations and legality, so you can feel safe and secure working with us! Have any questions? We look forward to hearing from you!

See also: Summer work – what are the advantages and where to look for it?

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