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10 min czytania 17 April 2025

Work in Poland for Ukrainians — how to find one?

More and more Ukrainian citizens are deciding to work in Poland, looking for better living conditions and stable employment. The Polish economy is eager to welcome workers from across the eastern border, offering them many opportunities in various industries. Work in Poland for Ukrainians — how to find it?

Work in Poland for Ukrainians — how to find one

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Ukrainians in Poland

Currently, there are about 1.5 million Ukrainian citizens in Poland (data from the Ministry of the Interior and Administration from February 2025). Other estimates, e.g. the Central Statistical Office from 2024, indicate a number closer to 1.8 million. However, it must be remembered that these data are dynamic.

As for the percentage of working Ukrainians, data from mid-2024 indicate that about 78% of adult Ukrainian citizens residing in Poland are employed or actively looking for work (data from the National Bank of Poland).

The gender structure of Ukrainians in Poland indicates a significant predominance of women. They constitute about 61-68% of all Ukrainians in Poland, and among adults this percentage reaches about 77-78%.

Children constitute a significant part of the Ukrainian population in Poland. About half of Ukrainian citizens using temporary protection are children. Men in total constitute about 32-39% of all Ukrainians in Poland. Among adult citizens of Ukraine, the percentage of men is even lower and is around 22-23%.

When can a Ukrainian citizen work legally in Poland?

In recent years, Poland has become one of the main directions of labor migration for Ukrainian citizens. More and more people decide to take up work in our country, looking for stability and better living conditions. However, for a Ukrainian citizen to work legally, specific conditions must be met.

First of all, work can only be entrusted to a foreigner if their stay in Poland is legal. A Ukrainian citizen can take up work, among others, on the basis of:

  • UKR status, i.e. special temporary protection status (issued to people who arrived after the outbreak of war),
  • Declarations on entrusting work to a foreigner (valid for a maximum of 24 months),
  • Work permits (type A – the most common),
  • Residence cards with access to the labor market,
  • Temporary residence and work permits.

An employer who wants to entrust work to a foreigner is obliged to report this to the appropriate offices – for example, by registering a declaration at the district labor office or obtaining a work permit. Legal employment also means signing a contract and ensuring working conditions in accordance with the law – such as remuneration, working hours and safety.

It is worth remembering that taking up work without the required documents may result in a penalty for both the employee and the employer. That is why it is so important for anyone who wants to work in Poland to know their rights and obligations.

Check also: What are the requirements for working in Poland?

Work in Poland for Ukrainians — how to find one

Read also: Can an employer send you on leave?

Where to look for work for Ukrainians in Poland?

There are many opportunities to find work for Ukrainian citizens in Poland – both in large cities and smaller towns. One of the surest and most convenient ways to find legal employment are employment agencies.

Why is it worth using the help of an employment agency?
Agencies help you find offers tailored to your skills, experience and preferences. They also deal with formalities: documents, work permits, translations or signing a contract. This is a great convenience, especially for people who are just starting their adventure with work in Poland.

Where else to look for job offers?

  • On job portal websites,
  • In social media – on groups and profiles dedicated to jobs for Ukrainians,
  • Directly at employment agencies – you can often go there without an appointment.
  • Working with an agency gives you greater security and certainty that the work will be legal and the employment conditions will be in line with the regulations.

How to legally employ a Ukrainian citizen?

In order to legally employ a Ukrainian citizen in Poland, the employer must meet several important conditions. First of all, the person you want to employ must be legally residing in Poland – on the basis of a visa, visa-free travel, residence permit or other document entitling them to stay. The next step is to report the intention to entrust work. In the case of Ukrainian citizens, this is most often done by registering a declaration of entrusting work to a foreigner at the district labor office. This declaration allows for legal work for up to 24 months without the need to obtain additional permits.

After registering the declaration, you can enter into a contract with the employee – most often an employment contract or a contract for services – which should include all the basic information about the terms of employment, such as remuneration, working hours and scope of duties. The employer is also obliged to register the employee with ZUS, ensure appropriate working conditions and comply with labor law regulations, such as the minimum wage or rest time.

It is worth remembering that in the case of longer employment or in situations where the declaration cannot be used, it will be necessary to obtain a work permit. The whole process may seem complicated, but following these rules guarantees legal and safe employment, which is beneficial for both the employer and the employee.

What benefits do Ukrainians provide on the Polish labor market?

Ukrainian citizens are playing an increasingly important role in the Polish economy, and their presence brings many benefits. What can we include among them?

  • They help companies find employees – many industries are short of workers, and Ukrainians are eager to take up employment.
  • They are hard-working and motivated – many of them want to stay in Poland for a longer period of time, which is why they try hard at work.They learn quickly – they easily adapt to new duties and environments.
  • They are flexible – they are willing to work different hours and shifts.
  • They support the development of companies – thanks to them, companies can operate efficiently, without downtime and staff shortages.
  • They get along well with others – the language barrier is getting smaller, and many of them know Polish or learn it quickly.

Work in Poland for Ukrainians – job offers

Are you looking for a job in Poland? Our agency offers assistance to Ukrainian citizens who want to work and start a new life in our country. For years, we have been supporting the employment of foreigners, taking care of the legality, safety and comfort of work. Contact us and find a legal job!

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