Hiring in Poland
Poland offers several types of work permits to accommodate different employment situations. As an employer, knowing which type suits your foreign hire is crucial to ensuring a smooth, legal hiring process. However, the work permit process can be complex and time-consuming. Partnering with an Employer of Record (EOR) can help streamline the process, ensuring compliance and saving you time. Let’s take a look at the different permit types and how an EOR can assist.
Check also: Work Permit vs. Visa in Poland: Decoding the Essential Differences for International Hires
Type A – Most Common Work Permit
This is the standard work permit issued when a foreign national is employed directly by a Polish company based on a contract (employment or civil law). It applies when the foreigner performs work within Poland for a Polish employer.
- Most widely used permit
- Valid for up to 3 years (can be extended)
- Requires labor market testing in some cases (e.g., proving there’s no suitable local candidate for the job)
How an EOR Helps: For Type A permits, an EOR can handle the application process on behalf of the employer. This includes ensuring all documentation is correct and helping with any labor market testing that might be required. The EOR ensures that the foreign employee is eligible for the permit, and helps speed up the process, avoiding delays.
Type B – For Management Board Members
Type B is for foreigners who are members of the management board of a company registered in Poland and who stay in the country for more than six months in a 12-month period.
- Valid for up to 5 years
- Suitable for executives or high-level representatives
How an EOR Helps: EORs can assist in facilitating the Type B permit process for foreign executives or management members. They ensure that the employer complies with the legal requirements and provides the necessary documentation for the foreign worker’s status and their responsibilities as part of the company’s management.
Type C – Intra-Company Transfers (ICT)
Used when a foreign employee is transferred to Poland by a foreign company to work at its Polish branch. This permit applies when an employee is moving between branches of the same company.
- Must already be employed abroad
- Valid for up to 3 years
- Employer must prove intra-group transfer
How an EOR Helps: If you’re transferring employees within your organization, an EOR simplifies the process by managing the application for the Type C permit. They help prove the employee’s transfer within the company and ensure all supporting documents, such as the employee’s previous employment history and the intra-group transfer agreement, are in place.
Type D – Service-Based Foreign Employer
Applies when the foreigner is employed by a non-Polish company that sends them to Poland to provide temporary services (not part of an intra-company transfer). It covers service contracts between businesses, including temporary projects or specialized service provision.
- Limited duration
How an EOR Helps: For businesses offering services in Poland from a foreign entity, an EOR can handle the Type D application and ensure the foreign worker meets all requirements, including providing temporary service contracts and supporting documentation. The EOR can also ensure that all legal obligations are fulfilled, reducing the risk of non-compliance.
Type E – Other Situations Not Covered Above
This is a catch-all permit used when the employment situation doesn’t fall into the other categories. For example, if a foreigner will be working in Poland under unique or complex arrangements, this permit can apply.
- Issued in exceptional or non-standard cases
How an EOR Helps: An EOR is well-equipped to assist in these exceptional or non-standard cases by assessing the unique nature of the employment situation and ensuring the right permit is applied for. They help gather all necessary documentation, making sure the application process is seamless even for complex or atypical work arrangements.
