How to Work Abroad in Poland: A Practical Guide for Expats

If you’ve been searching for a country where career growth meets affordability, Poland might just surprise you. (It sure surprised me when I moved there!)

Over the past decade, it’s quietly become one of Europe’s strongest job markets for foreigners, especially in tech, finance, and shared service centers. Cities like Warsaw, Kraków, and Wrocław are filled with multilingual offices, remote-friendly companies, and truly international teams where you’ll hear five languages over lunch.

But before you start packing, here’s the reality: Poland’s economy is booming, yes, but competition is growing, and salaries vary widely depending on the city and role. Still, for EU citizens, it’s one of the easiest countries to relocate to for work. And for non-EU professionals, it's one of the most open to sponsorship in Central Europe.

Let’s break down everything you need to know about working in Poland, from visa rules and job boards to local salaries, lifestyle, and what it’s really like to build a life here.

Why Work in Poland?

Poland doesn’t usually make the top of the “dream relocation” lists. It doesn't have siesta like Spain, "dolce far niente" like Italy, or croissants and "Emily in Paris" promo like France.

But coming from someone who's lived there, Poland should definitely be on the list. It offers career mobility, affordable living, and an international atmosphere that’s hard to find elsewhere in the EU.

Here’s why more and more professionals are choosing to work abroad in Poland:

• Strong and stable job market. Poland has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the EU (around 5% in 2025). Even better? Demand for international professionals is rising in IT, finance, logistics, and customer support, especially in Kraków, Warsaw, and Gdańsk.

  
  

• Easy relocation for EU citizens. If you’re from the EU or EEA, you can move, live, and work here without a visa or permit. You’ll just need to register your residence and get a Polish PESEL (tax ID). That’s it.

  
  

• Growing international community. More than 1.5 million foreigners now live and work in Poland, from expats in global firms to remote workers and digital nomads. English is widely used in corporate environments, and coworking hubs in Kraków and Warsaw feel genuinely global.

  
  

• Affordable cost of living + fast-growing salaries. Compared to Western Europe, Poland’s salaries are lower. But so are expenses. You can rent a modern flat in Kraków for €700–900, take weekend trips around Europe, and still save money.

  
  

• High quality of life, minus the chaos. Clean cities, efficient public transport, world-class healthcare, and no-nonsense bureaucracy (well, less nonsense than most European countries).

Convinced? If so, let's see what paperwork you need to sort out to be able to work in Poland.

Work Visa & Eligibility Requirements for Poland

Before you start applying, you’ll need to make sure you’re legally allowed to work in Poland. The process is relatively straightforward, but it differs significantly depending on whether you’re an EU citizen or not.

Visa-Free Rules for EU/EEA Citizens

If you’re from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, good news: you don’t need a work permit or visa to live or work in Poland.

You can move freely, start working right away, and register your stay locally once you’ve been in Poland for 3 months. Here’s what you’ll need:

• A valid passport or ID card.

• Proof of employment or self-employment.

• Proof of health insurance and an address in Poland.

• A PESEL number (Polish tax ID). Your employer can help with this.

Once that’s done, you’re all set. You’ll have the same work rights and protections as local citizens.

Visa Options for Non-EU Citizens

If you’re from outside the EU, there are several paths to legally work in Poland, some easier than others.

• Work Permit Type A (Employer-Sponsored): The most common route. You’ll need a job offer from a Polish employer who applies for the permit on your behalf. The process takes 4–8 weeks, depending on the region.

  
  

• EU Blue Card: For highly qualified professionals with a university degree and a contract earning at least 150% of Poland’s average salary (around €1,500–€2,000/month). It allows long-term residence and easier mobility across the EU.

  
  

• Temporary Residence Permit for Remote Workers: While Poland doesn’t have an official Digital Nomad Visa (yet), remote workers often enter on a business or Schengen visa and then apply for a temporary residence permit once they establish income proof and health insurance.

  
  

• Seasonal Work Visa: For temporary jobs (especially in hospitality, construction, or agriculture) lasting up to 9 months per year.

Always confirm details with the Polish Office for Foreigners (Urząd do Spraw Cudzoziemców) or your nearest Polish consulate, as requirements are updated regularly. You can also find official visa guidance on the Polish Office for Foreigners (UdSC) website.

Getting Sponsored by an Employer in Poland

Unlike many EU countries, employer sponsorship is common in Poland, especially in tech, engineering, logistics, and multilingual customer support.

Companies in these sectors are used to hiring international employees, and many handle visa paperwork in-house. Global firms like Capgemini, IBM, and Amazon even have full relocation teams.

To boost your chances:

• Search for listings that mention “relocation assistance” or “visa sponsorship.”

• Look for employers in shared-service or IT sectors. They sponsor most non-EU hires.

• Mention relocation readiness in your cover letter. It shows initiative and makes your application stronger.

How to Find a Job in Poland as a Foreigner

Here’s the thing about finding a job in Poland: it’s not as simple as “send a few CVs and wait.” The market is dynamic but relationship-driven, especially outside large international companies.

The good news? Once you figure out where to look (and how hiring works), it’s much easier to land something solid, especially if you speak English plus another EU language.

Here are job boards and industries you should focus on.

Best Job Boards for English-Speaking Roles in Poland

• LinkedIn Jobs (Poland): The go-to platform for international employers and remote-friendly roles.

• Pracuj.pl: Poland’s biggest local job board, often with English-language listings for professional roles.

• No Fluff Jobs: Specializes in tech and digital positions, transparent with salary ranges.

• Europe Language Jobs: Excellent for multilingual expats and SSC roles.

• Glassdoor & Indeed Poland: Reliable for corporate and international postings.

• Hays Poland & Michael Page: Trusted recruitment agencies with English-speaking consultants.

Top Industries Hiring in Poland

Poland’s economy is one of the most balanced in Europe, meaning there’s something for nearly every background. Here are the industries most open to foreigners:

• Technology & IT services: Poland’s tech sector employs over 500,000 people and keeps growing. Kraków and Wrocław have major IT hubs filled with English-speaking teams. Software developers, QA engineers, and analysts are always in demand.

  
  

• Finance & Shared Service Centers (SSCs): Global corporations like UBS, HSBC, State Street, and Shell have large operations here. These offices hire multilingual professionals for finance, HR, and procurement roles.

  
  

• Customer experience & BPO: If you speak English + another language, you’re gold. Companies like Capgemini, Fujitsu, and Teleperformance hire continuously.

  
  

• Logistics & manufacturing: Poland’s location between Western and Eastern Europe makes it a logistics powerhouse. Supply chain and operations roles are open to both EU and sponsored non-EU workers.

  
  

• Education & language teaching: English teaching remains a consistent entry point, especially for native speakers. International schools and private academies hire year-round.

Biggest Companies Hiring International Professionals in Poland

Cost of Living, Taxes & Salaries in Poland

Before signing a contract or relocating, it’s worth asking: what does a comfortable life in Poland actually cost?

Poland has one of the most affordable costs of living in the EU, but it’s not evenly distributed. Living in Warsaw feels completely different from living in Łódź or Lublin. Salaries have risen significantly in recent years, especially in tech and finance, but they still sit below Western Europe’s averages.

That said, most expats find that the balance between income and expenses is still very livable, especially if you’re earning in a higher-paying field or working remotely for an international company.

Average Salaries in Poland

Let’s look at the numbers.

According to 2025 data from GUS (Poland’s national statistics office):

• The average gross salary in Poland is around 8,100 PLN/month (~€1,850).

• After taxes, that’s roughly 5,800 PLN/month (~€1,320) take-home.

• For international professionals, salaries often range from 7,000–12,000 PLN/month (€1,600–€2,800), depending on the role and city.

Examples:

• Entry-level customer support (English + German): 6,000–8,000 PLN/month gross (€1,400–€1,850).

• IT or data roles: 12,000–20,000 PLN/month gross (€2,700–€4,500).

• Finance or consulting: 10,000–18,000 PLN/month gross (€2,200–€4,000).

• Teaching English: 4,500–8,000 PLN/month gross (€1,050–€1,850).

Remember that Poland’s job offers usually list gross monthly salary. Expect 20–25% deductions for taxes and social contributions to calculate your net pay.

Monthly Living Costs in Major Cities

Tax Rates, Social Contributions & Employee Benefits

Poland uses a progressive income tax system with two brackets:

• 12% on income up to 120,000 PLN per year (~€27,000)

• 32% on income above that

Additionally, employees contribute around 13–14% to social security and healthcare, while employers contribute roughly 20–22%.

Example: If you earn 10,000 PLN/month gross (€2,250), you’ll take home roughly 7,400 PLN (€1,650) after tax.

Bonuses & Perks:

• Paid vacation: minimum 20 days per year (26 after 10 years of work experience).

• Sick leave: covered by the employer for the first 33 days, then by the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS).

• Healthcare: public healthcare via ZUS (included in your taxes) + optional private insurance through your employer.

• 13th salary or annual bonus: common in large companies and SSCs.

• Remote work: officially recognized and widespread since 2021, especially in IT and corporate sectors.

Tip: If you’re self-employed, you can register as a “jednoosobowa działalność gospodarcza” (sole trader) and benefit from reduced tax rates and flat-rate options, which is a popular option among freelancers and consultants.

Working Culture & Lifestyle in Poland

This is where Poland really wins people over. The work culture blends European professionalism with Central European pragmatism, meaning people work hard, respect structure, but also value their evenings and weekends.

If you’re coming from a fast-paced corporate culture, Poland might feel refreshingly balanced.

Work Hours

The standard workweek is 40 hours (8 hours/day, Monday to Friday). Office hours typically run from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. or 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., though hybrid and flexible schedules are becoming common.

Public Holidays

Poland has 13 national public holidays each year, and when one falls on a weekend, it’s usually compensated with a day off.

Vacation

• Employees with less than 10 years of work experience: 20 days.

• Employees with 10+ years of experience: 26 days. Years of education can count toward this total, so many professionals start at the higher bracket.

Summer note: August is when offices slow down, and many locals take extended breaks, similar to Southern Europe’s rhythm.

Typical Employee Benefits

While Poland may not have Silicon Valley perks, the benefits are solid and improving fast:

• Private health insurance (LuxMed, Medicover, Enel-Med)

• Meal vouchers or cafeteria cards (Multisport, Sodexo)

• Training budgets and language courses

• Flexible hours and hybrid work options

• Performance bonuses (usually 5–15%)

In larger corporations, benefits can rival Western European packages, especially for senior or specialized roles.

Work Culture, Communication & Management Style

If you’ve worked in Central or Northern Europe before, Poland will feel familiar, structured, but not overly rigid.

Here’s what stands out:

• Communication: Direct but polite. People value clarity and professionalism over small talk.

• Hierarchy: Moderate. Managers expect initiative but still make final calls.

• Teamwork: Collaborative in international settings; more individual in traditional ones.

• Punctuality: Big deal. Being late to meetings is noticed. (Not in a good way.)

• Work-life balance: Genuinely respected. Once the day’s done, people go home.

Cultural note: Poles are warm once you break the ice... or have the first night out with them. Don’t be discouraged if colleagues seem reserved at first. They’re just cautious until trust builds.

Pros & Cons of Living and Working in Poland

Let’s take a clear-eyed look at what it’s like to work in Poland.

It’s one of Central Europe’s fastest-growing economies with lively tech hubs, solid infrastructure, and a strong hiring market. But like anywhere, there are trade-offs.

Once you understand how things actually work here, you can set realistic expectations and make smarter decisions about your move (or your next role).

Here’s an honest view on the pros and cons of living and working in Poland, blending local insight with what expats commonly report:

FAQs About Working in Poland as an EU Citizen