Polish Firms Face Changing Employment Declarations for Ukrainians Starting March
Poland is set to implement changes regarding employment declarations for Ukrainian workers, beginning in March 2026. This transition follows four years of a special legal framework. The government aims to establish a unified system that equates the rights of all foreigners residing in Poland, specifically those under temporary protection.
Key Changes to Employment Declarations for Ukrainians
The new regulations will shift the process back to a system that involves declarations for work assignment. This means that Ukrainians legally residing in Poland will have to adapt to new employment standards.
Three-Year Transition Period
Starting March 5, 2026, a three-year transition period will commence for Ukrainians living in Poland under different residency grounds. This change is significant given that in 2025, there were 455,069 applications for residence permits from Ukrainians. Out of these, only 225,982 received positive decisions, leaving over 229,000 unresolved cases.
Current Employment Landscape
At present, approximately 988,000 to 993,000 Ukrainians in Poland enjoy temporary protection, identifiable by the PESEL UKR number. Of this group, about 670,000 are actively employed. Additionally, around 462,000 Ukrainians are in Poland under various legal conditions, while 92,000 have permanent residence or long-term EU residency status.
Risks Associated with Employment Violations
- Julia Nowicka, an expert in the legalization of foreign employment, has highlighted potential penalties for non-compliance.
- Fines for illegal employment can reach up to 50,000 PLN per worker.
- Employers may face consequences if foreign workers perform duties not aligned with their work documents.
Violations can include starting work before acquiring necessary permits or continuing employment after those permits expire. Additionally, any changes to the employment terms must be reflected in the documentation.
Punishments for Non-Compliance
Penalties for breaching these regulations start at 3,000 PLN and can escalate to 50,000 PLN per foreign worker involved. Each violation is treated as a separate instance. Importantly, if a company incurs penalties twice within two years, it will lose the ability to hire foreign workers altogether.
Employers are urged to prepare for these changes, ensuring compliance to avoid steep fines and potential disruptions in their workforce.
