Poland’s dependence on migrant labour is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. Around 1.1 million third-country nationals were working in the country by January 2026, while the government is preparing to prioritise employment visa and work permit applications for foreigners qualified in 329 shortage occupations. The proposed list can be found here.
The developments show how Poland is moving towards a more selective immigration system designed to meet labour shortages. At the same time, the country is reducing several forms of emergency assistance introduced for people displaced from Ukraine and placing greater emphasis on long-term integration through employment, education and local services.
More Than One Million Migrants Employed in Poland
The number of foreigners working in Poland reached 1.119 million on 31 January 2026, confirming the country’s growing dependence on migrant labour.
According to the Central Statistical Office, the foreign workforce increased by 7.1% compared with January 2025, representing an additional 74,100 workers. However, the total was 1.9% lower than at the end of December 2025, a monthly decline of approximately 22,100 people.
| Key indicator | January 2026 |
| Foreigners working in Poland | 1.119 million |
| Annual increase | 7.1% |
| Additional workers compared with January 2025 | 74,100 |
| Monthly change from December 2025 | -1.9% |
| Share of men | 59.9% |
| Workers relying exclusively on mandate or similar contracts | 425,200 |
| Ukrainian workers | 757,700 |
| Ukrainian share of the foreign workforce | 67.7% |
Men Continue to Form the Majority of Migrant Workers
Men accounted for 59.9% of all foreigners working in Poland at the end of January 2026. Their share was slightly higher than both a year earlier and at the end of December 2025.
Compared with January 2025, the number of foreign male workers increased by 7.4%, while the number of female workers rose by 6.6%.
The monthly figures showed a modest decline for both groups. Between December 2025 and January 2026, the number of foreign women working in Poland fell by 2.1%, while the number of men decreased by 1.8%.
More Than 425,000 Foreigners Work Under Civil-Law Contracts
At the end of January 2026, approximately 425,200 foreigners, representing 38% of the foreign workforce, worked exclusively under mandate contracts or similar civil-law agreements.
The number was 6.6% higher than in January 2025 but 3.3% lower than at the end of December 2025.
The high proportion of civil-law contracts remains important for migrant integration. Such agreements can provide flexible access to employment but may offer less stability and fewer protections than standard employment contracts.
Ukrainians Represent More Than Two-Thirds of Foreign Workers
Ukrainian citizens remained by far the largest group of foreign workers in Poland. Around 757,700 Ukrainians were working in the country on 31 January 2026. This was 8% higher than a year earlier, an increase of approximately 55,900 workers.
Compared with December 2025, however, the number of Ukrainian workers declined by 1.8%, or around 14,100 people.
Ukrainians accounted for 67.7% of all foreigners working in Poland. Their share increased slightly compared with both January 2025 and December 2025.
These figures underline the central role played by Ukrainian workers in Poland’s labour market, particularly as employers continue to report shortages across healthcare, transport, construction, engineering and skilled technical occupations.
Methodological Note
The figures cover foreigners employed in Poland’s national economy as well as people working under mandate contracts and similar agreements subject to social-security or health-insurance registration.
Individuals who are both formally employed and working under an additional mandate contract are counted only once. The statistics exclude contracts for specific work, seasonal harvest-assistance agreements, and certain contracts involving students under the age of 26.
Visa Applicants in 329 Shortage Occupations Could Be Prioritised
Poland’s Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy has prepared a draft regulation identifying 329 shortage occupations considered essential to the national economy.
The list would be used by Polish consulates when processing employment visa applications and by provincial governors when considering work permit applications. Foreign nationals seeking employment in the listed professions would receive priority consideration.
The proposed list includes healthcare specialists, engineers, information technology professionals, and skilled technical workers. Plumbers, pipeline fitters, roofers, public transport drivers, foreign-language teachers, and teaching assistants are also included. The proposal is undergoing public consultation and has not yet entered into force.
If adopted, it could help Polish employers recruit foreign workers more quickly in sectors experiencing persistent staff shortages.
Poland Changes Its Simplified Foreign Employment Scheme
Since 1 December 2025, Georgian citizens have no longer been eligible for Poland’s simplified employment procedure based on an employer declaration registered with a local labour office. Russian citizens were removed from the scheme in October 2022.
The procedure is now available only to citizens of Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, and Armenia. It allows Polish employers to recruit eligible foreign nationals through preferential administrative rules.
Employment under one declaration may continue for up to 24 months. A new declaration can be submitted when that period ends.
The change means Georgian citizens must generally use standard work permit procedures, which can involve longer processing times and additional administrative requirements.
New Measures Proposed for Integrating Migrant Children
A new publication by Poland’s national research institute has issued recommendations for national authorities, regional education bodies and schools on improving the integration of migrant children.
The recommendations cover nine areas, including psychological support for children who have experienced trauma, cooperation with migrant parents, conflict resolution in culturally diverse schools, and the prevention of peer violence.
One of the report’s main proposals is the wider employment of intercultural assistants. These workers can help migrant children communicate with teachers, understand school procedures, and adjust to a new educational environment.
The report also recommends specialised training for teachers working with children from migrant and refugee backgrounds, including guidance on recognising and responding to trauma among refugee pupils.
Teachers working in multicultural classrooms should receive supervision, access to professional knowledge databases, and ready-to-use educational materials. Psychological support should also be made available to migrant children in their native languages.
New Guidance for Private Refugee Accommodation
Fundacja Ocalenie has published guidance for individuals and organisations providing private accommodation to refugees.
The publication covers the entire hosting process, from preparing accommodation and arranging the refugee’s arrival to managing the eventual move-out.
It emphasises the importance of establishing clear expectations, preventing disagreements and resolving conflicts within shared homes.
A central recommendation is the creation of a “Shared Living Pact” defining household rules and the responsibilities of hosts and refugees.
The guide also states that professional support should remain available throughout the hosting period. This could help both parties address misunderstandings before they develop into more serious disputes.
The publication was developed under the Erasmus+ project “Unity in Integration: Strengthening Accommodation Programs for Refugee Welcome Organizations”. Organisations from Poland, Italy and the Czech Republic participated in the project through the Refugees Welcome International network.
Specialist Prosecutors to Address Crimes Against Migrants
Poland is strengthening its response to offences motivated by national, ethnic or racial prejudice.
Under a regulation signed by the Minister of Justice and Prosecutor General, 50 prosecutors’ offices will be assigned responsibility for dealing with prejudice-related crimes.
Approximately 100 prosecutors are expected to receive specialist training in cases involving racism, insults based on nationality or ethnicity, and other discriminatory offences.
The reform follows an increase in reported prejudice-related crimes and a decline in the number of cases reaching the courts.
The Ministry of Justice also plans to publish a handbook for prosecutors and police officers and introduce specialist training through the National School of Judiciary and Public Prosecution.
Poland Moves Towards Selective Labour Migration
Poland’s latest policy developments reveal two parallel trends. The country is attempting to attract foreign workers in occupations where employers cannot find enough staff. More than one million third-country nationals are already part of the Polish workforce, and priority processing for 329 shortage occupations could further increase labour migration.
At the same time, emergency support for people displaced from Ukraine is being reduced as the government shifts responsibility towards employment, mainstream public services and longer-term integration.
The success of this approach will depend on more than faster work permits and employment visas. Migrant workers and refugee families will also require secure employment conditions, accessible education, protection from discrimination, and effective support from local institutions.