Effective June 1, 2025, Poland is enacting comprehensive labor market reforms aimed at streamlining administrative processes and tightening compliance around the employment of foreign nationals.

Key Points:

  • Two acts were signed into law by President Andrzej Duda on April 11, 2025: the Labor Market and Employment Services Act and the Act on the Conditions of Admissibility of Employment of Foreign Nationals in the Territory of the Republic of Poland.
  • The Labor Market and Employment Services Act replaces previous in-person or paper-based processes with online tools, removes certain restrictions for job seekers and improves unemployment benefits.
  • The Act on the Conditions of Admissibility of Employment of Foreign Nationals in the Territory of the Republic of Poland:
    • Removes the need for employers to conduct a labor market test before hiring a foreign national
    • Requires employers to submit signed employment contracts prior to the employment start date
    • Increases fines for illegal employment
    • Requires all work permit applications to be submitted electronically
  • Both acts go into effect June 1.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

Copyright © 2025 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Polish government has announced that it will end its COVID-19 residence and work permit validity extensions.

Key Points:

  • On July 1, Polish authorities officially ended its COVID-19 “state of epidemic threat.”
  • Residence and work permits that have been automatically extended under COVID-19 policies will remain valid until July 31.
  • Foreign nationals who hold permits that have been automatically extended because of COVID-19 must apply for new permits to remain in the country legally.

BAL Analysis: Employers should ensure their employees who had received automatic permit extensions under the COVID-19 policies apply for new residence and work permits so they can remain in the country.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Polish government increased its national minimum wage.

Key Points:

  • As of July 1, the minimum monthly wage increased from 3,490 PLN (about US$806) to 3,600 PLN.
  • Polish authorities had previously proposed an increase of only an additional 67 PLN increase in July 2023.
  • The new minimum wage applies to applications submitted on or after July 1, 2023, and applications that were submitted before July 1, 2023, that are still pending.
  • The new minimum wage requirements will not affect EU Blue Card minimums.

Additional Information: The minimum wage is relevant to all workers in Poland whose wages cannot be lower than the minimum wage. Foreign workers must be paid above the minimum wage.

BAL Analysis: Businesses may see a slight increase in labor costs because of the new minimum wage. Employers should take the new wage minimums into account and adjust their 2023 budgets if necessary.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT — MEDIUM

The Polish government increased its national minimum wage for 2023.

Key Points:

  • Poland’s minimum monthly salary increased by 480 PLN, from 3,010 PLN to 3,490 PLN (about US$806).
  • In July 2023, the minimum monthly wage is set to increase again, from 3,490 PLN to 3,600 PLN.
  • Polish authorities had previously proposed an increase of only 373 PLN on Jan. 1 and an additional 67 PLN increase in July 2023.
  • The new minimum wage applies to applications submitted on or after Jan. 1, 2023, and applications that were submitted before Jan. 1, 2023, that are still pending.
  • The new minimum wage requirements will not affect EU Blue Card minimums.

Additional Information: The minimum wage is relevant to all workers in Poland whose wages cannot be lower than the minimum wage. Foreign workers must be paid above the minimum wage.

BAL Analysis: Businesses may see a slight increase in labor costs because of the new minimum wage. Employers should take the new wage minimums into account for their 2023 budgets.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2023 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Polish government has announced that it will increase the national minimum wage by almost 16% in 2021 instead of the previously proposed 12%.

Key Points:

  • Beginning Jan. 1, Poland’s minimum salary will increase by 480 PLN from 3,010 PLN to 3,490 PLN.
  • In July 2023, the minimum monthly wage is set to increase again from 3,490 PLN to 3,600 PLN.
  • Polish authorities had previously proposed an increase of only 373 PLN on Jan. 1 and an additional 67 PLN increase in July 2023.
  • The new minimum wage will apply to new applications submitted on or after Jan. 1, 2023, and applications that were submitted before Jan. 1, 2023, that are still pending.
  • The new minimum wage requirements will not affect EU Blue Card minimums.

BAL Analysis: Businesses may see a slight increase in labor costs once the new minimum wage takes effect. Employers should take the new minimum wages into account when planning their 2023 budgets.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Polish government has increased the fees for the issuance or replacement of immigration documents.

Key Points:

  • As of July 29, fees increased for the issuance or replacement of:
    • Residence cards (including residence cards issued automatically directly after the granting of a temporary residence permit, permanent residence permit, long-term resident’s residence permit of the European Union) from 50 PLN to 100 PLN.
    • Polish travel documents issued to foreigners from 100 PLN to 350 PLN.
    • Polish identity documents issued to foreigners from 50 PLN to 100 PLN.
    • “Permit of toleration stay” documents from 50 PLN to 100 PLN.
  • If authorities determine that the foreign national was at fault for lost or destroyed documents, fees are increased to 200 PLN for residences cards, identity documents and “permit for toleration stay” documents and 700 PLN for travel documents.
  • Foreign nationals will not be charged for the issuance or replacement of immigration documents found here.

BAL Analysis: Polish authorities increased the fees for new and replacement immigration documents because of the increased costs of maintaining biometric services. Those who need Polish immigration documents should expect increased service fees.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Polish government has announced a proposal to increase the national minimum wage by over 12% in 2023.

Key Points:

  • According to the proposal, Poland’s minimum monthly salary would increase by 373 PLN from 3,010 PLN to 3,383 PLN.
  • In July 2023, the minimum monthly wage would increase again from 3,383 PLN to 3,450 PLN.

Additional Information: More information regarding Poland’s plan to increase its monthly minimum wage is available here.

BAL Analysis: If the proposal becomes law, businesses may see an increase in labor costs because of the new monthly minimum wage.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Polish government has lifted all COVID-related entry requirements for those traveling to Poland.

Key Points:

  • As of March 28, individuals who are traveling to Poland no longer face any COVID-related entry requirements.
  • Travelers no longer have to present COVID-19 vaccination certificates when crossing the border, test for COVID-19 before or after arrival or undergo a mandatory quarantine.

Additional Information: In case of a new virus variant, an “emergency brake” can be applied to the lifting of entry requirements. More information regarding Poland’s decision to lift entry requirements is available here.

BAL Analysis: COVID-19 entry requirements no longer apply to those traveling to Poland. The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and BAL will provide additional updates as information becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

IMPACT – MEDIUM

The Polish government has limited the acceptance of visa applications from certain Russian nationals.

Key Points:

  • Until further notice, Polish authorities are only accepting visa applications from Russian nationals who are:
    • Immediate family members of Polish or EU nationals.
    • Holders of a Pole’s Card.
    • Students in Poland.
    • Poland Business Harbor program participants.
    • Professional cargo drivers.
    • Medical staff.

BAL Analysis: Poland joins a number of other European countries that have limiting certain visas and permits for Russian nationals. Employers and employees are reminded that actions taken as a result of the invasion of Ukraine may change with little or no notice. BAL will continue to follow the global response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and will provide updated information as it becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.

The Polish government has implemented new immigration measures for Ukrainian citizens fleeing their country because of the Russian invasion.

Key Points:

  • Under a law that took effect Monday, Ukrainian citizens who left Ukraine because of the Russian invasion can remain in Poland until Aug. 24, 2023. This policy also applies to non-Ukrainian spouses of Ukrainian citizens who entered Poland from Ukraine on or after Feb. 24.
  • Ukrainian citizens can cross the Poland-Ukraine border during this time but must not leave Poland for more than one month in order to maintain a right to stay in Poland.
  • Ukrainian citizens who want to extend their stay in Poland past Aug. 24, 2023, can file an application for a three-year temporary residence permit. Applications can be filed after nine months of entering the country, but not later than Aug. 24, 2023.
  • Ukrainian citizens who have crossed into Poland but do not have a stamp in their passport or another document confirming entry, should visit the nearest municipal office to register their entry into Poland. This should be done no more than 60 days after entry.
  • These provisions do not apply to Ukrainians who have applied for international protection (refugee status) in Poland or who have said they intend to. Ukrainian citizens should withdraw applications for international protection if they want to benefit for the new rules on legal stay.
  • Until further notice, citizens of countries other than Ukraine can enter Poland from Ukraine on the basis of a passport or identity document. Their right to reside and work in Poland is governed by the rules applicable to nationals of their country.
  • The right to work and reside in Poland will not change for Ukrainian citizens who already hold a permanent residence permit, a long-term EU residence permit or refugee status.
  • Ukrainian citizens who crossed the border on Feb. 24 or later will have the right to work during the length of their legal stay in Poland. They will also be able to apply for national identity (PESEL) numbers. Ukrainian citizens with a PESEL number have the right to set up a business under the same terms as Polish citizens.

BAL Analysis: Poland’s new law marks a commitment to providing assistance to Ukrainian citizens fleeing Ukraine following the Russian invasion. Poland is among a number of countries that have adopted special immigration measures for Ukrainians. The U.S., for example, recently announced that Ukraine would be designated for Temporary Protected Status and has waived COVID-19 entry requirements for some travelers. BAL will continue to follow the global response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and will provide updated information as it becomes available.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

Copyright © 2022 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries, please contact copyright@bal.com.