Guidance

Travel to Poland for work

Check if you need a visa or permit to work in Poland and how to get one if you do.

From:
Department for Business and Trade
Published
28 May 2021
Last updated
15 April 2024 — See all updates

This guide is for British citizens travelling for business or other work purposes. It explains what employers, employees, or the self-employed need to do if they need a visa, work permit or residence permit.

This information is provided as a guide only. You must always check the exact application process and document requirements with Poland’s embassy or immigration authorities.

Entry requirements

If you’re going to Poland to work (or any other EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein) you must make sure you meet passport and other travel requirements.

Poland is in the Schengen area. If you’re travelling for business for up to 90 days in a 180-day period, you may be able to do some business-related activities without needing a visa or permit, such as attend business meetings. It does not matter how many countries you visit in the Schengen area. Your total stay must be no more than 90 days in every 180 days. The 180-day period keeps ‘rolling’.

If you’re staying for longer, or for other types of work, you may need a visa or permit.

The Polish authorities are responsible for setting and enforcing entry rules. They decide which activities need a visa or permit, or which may be exempt.

You must always check with Poland’s embassy or immigration authorities before you travel, to make sure you meet their legal requirements.

If you’re working in more than one country, you need to check the entry rules of each country.

If you need a passport, visa or permit, you should apply well in advance of travel.

Visa and permit documents

This guide explains the general application process for some of the visa or permit types available in Poland. It includes a checklist of documents that you’ll usually need to include when applying.

It may not cover all scenarios so you must always check the exact application process and document requirements with Poland’s immigration authorities or embassy in the UK.

You must also check what format the documents should be presented in, including if they must be:

  • translated
  • ‘legalised’ (with an apostille) or notarised
  • originals, or if copies are acceptable
  • signed in ink (a wet signature), or if they can be signed electronically (an e-signature)
  • dated within a certain period of time, such as 30 days before you submit your application

Countries often use the terms visa, work permit and residence permit differently. For example, some may refer to a work permit as a visa.

This guide uses the same terms used in Poland, so you know which ones to use when speaking to Poland’s authorities.

Check if you need a visa or permit

You do not need a visa or permit if you’re travelling to Poland for up to 30 days for:

  • running or attending job interviews
  • going to court as witness
  • attending trade fairs
  • attending board meetings
  • meeting clients or customers (including entertainment like eating at a restaurant)
  • meeting colleagues, contractors or sellers
  • internal auditing
  • post-meeting productive work
  • providing legal advice to a client
  • fact-finding visits
  • negotiating, signing and executing deals or contracts
  • attending, speaking or presenting at a conference
  • supervising the work of a vendor or contractor
  • supervising and managing a team
  • team building activities
  • receiving classroom-based or on-the-job training
  • shadowing someone’s job

These activities are covered by the Schengen visa waiver.

Border checks

At the border, you may be asked to show:

  • proof of return travel, such as plane or train tickets
  • health insurance that covers your stay
  • proof of accommodation for your entire stay
  • enough money for the duration of your trip
  • an invitation letter from your employer explaining your trip

Check Poland’s exemptions

Certain types of work and activities do not require a visa or permit because they’re exempt.

All countries have their own exemptions. What may be exempt in one country may not be in another. You should always check with the country’s authorities.

The following may not require a visa or permit in Poland if they’re for up to 90 days in a 180-day period:

  • foreign language teachers
  • members of the armed forces and civilian staff working for the non-Polish military based in Poland, or delegates implementing an armament programme under an agreement with Poland
  • presenters of scientific or artistic issues
  • mass media, press, radio and TV correspondents, photographers and filmmakers
  • artists, actors, singers, dancers, orchestra conductors, instrumentalists, and mime artists
  • athletes taking part in sports competitions or international events and those working in connection with these events
  • work for churches and religious associations
  • work for members of the European Parliament

The following may not require a visa or permit in Poland if they’re for up to 3 months:

  • carrying out technical installations, repairs and maintenance, supplying technical equipment and training clients how to use it, as long as your UK employer is the producer
  • training employees of a company in Poland who purchased technology from your UK employer
  • collecting ordered technological equipment, machinery or other equipment as long as it is produced by an organisation in Poland

Working on a short-term assignment

You can work without a visa or permit at:

  • a Polish branch office, for up to 30 days in a calendar year
  • a client site, for up to 30 days in a 6-month period

You need a work permit if you’re doing one of the following:

  • working for an employer that does not have a branch, plant or any other activity in Poland
  • providing a temporary and one-off service

You have to keep your UK employment contract and stay on UK payroll.

Intra-company transfer permits (EU ICT) from other countries

If you have an EU ICT from another country you can work in Poland for up to 90 days in a 180-day period if you’re transferred to a Polish branch.

You may be able to work in Poland for longer if the circumstances justify a stay for longer than 3 months. In this case, the permit will only be granted for the validity period of the residence document issued by the original host country.

The company in Poland must be able to demonstrate capital and organisational relations with your UK-based employer.

Your employer has to notify the Head of the Office for Foreigners before you start working.

Exemptions are covered by the visa waiver.

Register your address

You have to register your address with the local town hall if you’re staying in Poland for more than 30 days.

Show proof of exemption

You need to be able to show proof that you’re exempt to the authorities on request. This could be:

  • an assignment letter
  • an employment confirmation letter
  • a contract
  • proof of required qualifications, such as a degree or professional certificate

Further checks

If you’re not sure if you need a visa or permit to travel you can get advice from Poland’s embassy or immigration authorities.

Applying for visa or permit

This guide outlines the steps required for each visa or permit to help you prepare, but you’ll need to check the exact rules and processes with Poland’s embassy or immigration authorities.

Taking your family

You may be able to apply for dependant permits if you want family members to join you. Marriages need to be recognised in Polish law.

Find out more about taking your family with you.

Long-term permits

You need to apply for a long-term permit if you’re in Poland because you’re:

Long-term permits are valid for up to 3 years depending on which one you need.

The application process happens in 3 parts:

  1. Your employer applies for a work permit.

  2. You [apply for a D visa](https://www.gov.pl/web/unitedkingdom/d-type-national-visa  at the Polish consulate in the UK.

  3. You apply for a temporary residence work permit once in Poland, if you need to stay longer than the duration of your visa.

Transferring to a Polish branch of a UK-based company

You need to apply for one of these long-term permits if your UK-based company moves you to a branch in Poland:

Type C work permit

To qualify for a Type C work permit you must:

  • keep your UK employment contract
  • stay on UK payroll and be paid at least the minimum wage for the province where you’ll be working

This Type C permit takes 2 to 5 months to get. It’s valid for up to 3 years and you can extend it.

Family members can join you as dependants once your permit has been secured. Find out more about taking your family with you.

How it works

You need to check with Poland’s authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.

  1. Your employer submits a Type C work permit application to the provincial office (local authority).
  2. Once approved you apply for a D visa at the Polish consulate in the UK.
  3. You register your address at your local town hall in Poland.
  4. You apply for a temporary residence permit at the immigration office in Poland, if you need to stay longer than the duration of your D visa.

Application documents

Poland’s authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

  • completed permit application forms
  • UK passport for you and any dependants, valid for 6 months
  • 1 standard passport photo (35mm x 45mm) for each applicant
  • marriage certificate, if married
  • birth certificates for any children
  • documentation showing your UK employer’s legal status, such as a certificate of incorporation
  • business profile for the UK company including legal name, registered address and names of representatives, issued by the registry authorities, such as Companies House
  • assignment letter signed by a representative of the UK company
  • organisational charts or documents showing the relationship between your UK employer and branch in Poland
  • declaration that the UK employer does not have a criminal record, signed by an authorised representative of the UK company
  • National Court Register (KRS) excerpt for the Polish company
  • accommodation lease agreement (required once in Poland)
  • confirmation of insurance covering the whole period of the assignment

EU intra-company transfer (EU ICT)

You need a Polish EU ICT permit if your UK-based employer transfers you to a branch in Poland for:

  • up to 3 years
  • 1 year if you’re a trainee

You cannot use this permit for trips to Poland for less than 90 days.

To qualify you must:

  • have a bachelor’s level degree or at least 3 years’ relevant work experience
  • have specialist knowledge in the field
  • have worked for the UK company for at least 12 months, or 6 months if you’re a trainee
  • be a manager, specialist or trainee
  • have proof that you can return to the UK company once your assignment ends in Poland
  • earn at least the minimum wage for the province where you’ll be working
  • keep your UK employment contract
  • be on UK payroll

The ICT takes 3 to 4 months to get. You can’t extend it beyond 3 years, or 1 year if you’re a trainee.

Family members can join you on a long-term EU ICT permit. Find out more about taking your family with you.

How it works

You need to check with Poland’s authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.

  1. The Polish branch submits a residence permit application to the provincial office (local authority).

  2. Once issued, you apply for a D visa at the Polish consulate in the UK.

  3. You submit your fingerprints and collect your residence permit card at the immigration office once in Poland.

  4. You register your address at your local town hall in Poland.

Application documents

Poland’s authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

  • completed permit application form
  • UK passport for you and any dependants, valid for 6 months
  • 1 standard passport photo (35mm x 45mm) for each applicant
  • marriage certificate, if married
  • birth certificates for any children
  • proof of temporary address in Poland, such as a hotel reservation or lease agreement
  • proof of professional qualifications
  • UK employment contract
  • proof that you’re returning to the UK at the end of your assignment
  • assignment letter from the UK employer
  • documentation showing your UK employer’s legal status, such as a certificate of incorporation
  • business profile for the UK company including legal name, registered address and names of representatives, issued by registry authorities, such as Companies House
  • organisational charts or documents showing the relationship between your UK employer and the branch in Poland
  • declaration that the UK employer and company in Poland don’t have criminal records, signed by authorised representatives of both companies
  • National Court Register (KRS) excerpt for the Polish company
  • proof of health insurance covering the whole period of the assignment, for you and any dependants
  • proof of travel date to Poland, such as plane tickets or hotel reservations
  • accommodation lease agreement (required once in Poland)

Working for a company in Poland on a Polish contract

You need a type A work permit if you’ve been offered a Polish employment contract for up to 3 years.

To qualify you must:

  • have an offer of employment from a Polish company
  • have relevant experience and qualifications
  • meet minimum monthly income requirements – check for up-to-date amounts with the Polish authorities as they may change over time
  • be placed on a Polish payroll

This permit takes 2 to 5 months to get. It’s valid for up to 3 years and you can extend it.

Family members can join you as dependants with this permit type. They’re not allowed to work in Poland. Find out more about taking your family with you.

How it works

You need to check with Poland’s authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.

  1. Your employer carries out a labour market test with the local labour office unless you have a skills shortage job.

  2. Your employer submits a work permit application to the provincial office (local authority).

  3. Once approved you apply for a D visa at the Polish consulate in the UK.

  4. You register your address at your local town hall in Poland.

  5. You apply for a temporary residence permit at the immigration office in Poland, if you need to stay longer than the duration of your D visa. This could be either an EU Blue Card or Single Permit.

Application documents

Poland’s authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

  • completed permit application form
  • valid National Court Register (KRS) documentation
  • results from the labour market test, if applicable
  • declaration that the Polish employer does not have a criminal record, signed by a board member or director
  • documents confirming that you meet the job requirements, such as a diploma certificate, training certificates or a letter setting out your professional experience

Providing services to a client in Poland

You need a type D work permit if your UK employer has a contract or work order with a company in Poland for which you will be providing a service.

To qualify you must:

  • earn at least the minimum wage for the province where you’ll be working
  • keep your UK employment
  • stay on UK payroll

This permit takes 2 to 5 months to get. It’s valid for up to 3 years and you can extend it.

Family members can join you as dependants with this permit type. Find out more about taking your family with you.

How it works

You need to check with Poland’s authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.

  1. Your employer submits a work permit application (same form for type D) to the provincial office (local authority).

  2. You apply for a D visa at the Polish consulate in the UK.

  3. You register your address at your local town hall in Poland, if you’re staying for longer than 30 days.

  4. You apply for a temporary residence permit at the immigration office in Poland, if you need to stay longer than the duration of your D visa.

Application documents

Poland’s authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

  • completed permit application forms
  • UK passport for you and any dependants, valid for 6 months
  • standard passport photo (35mm x 45mm) for each applicant
  • marriage certificate, if married
  • birth certificates for any children
  • documentation showing your UK employer’s legal status, such as a certificate of incorporation
  • business profile for the UK company including legal name, registered address and names of representatives, issued by the registry authorities, such as Companies House
  • assignment letter signed by UK company representative
  • power of attorney signed by UK company representative
  • work order or service agreement between the UK and Polish companies
  • declaration that the UK employer does not have a criminal record, signed by a board member or director
  • National Court Register (KRS) excerpt for the Polish company
  • national business registry number for the Polish company
  • company tax number for the Polish company
  • proof of travel date to Poland, such as plane tickets or hotel reservations
  • proof of health insurance for you and any dependants
  • letter of invitation from Polish company
  • accommodation lease agreement (required once in Poland)

Self-employed work

There are no work permit options for self-employed people coming from the UK.

If you want to carry out self-employed work you must already be living in Poland and have one of the following residence permits:

  • permanent residence permit
  • long-term EU residence permit
  • dependant residence permit for joining your family
  • residency permit issued because you married a Polish citizen
  • student residence permit
  • refugee or similar status, such as consent to stay for humanitarian reasons or temporary protection

Research work

You need a temporary residence permit for scientific research if you’re conducting scientific research or development work with a research organisation in Poland.

To qualify you must have:

  • at least a master’s degree that allows you to start a PhD
  • a hosting agreement with an approved research organisation in Poland
  • proof that the research organisation is covering your living expenses
  • proof that the research organisation is paying for your return travel to the UK 6 months after your position ends

The research permit takes 2 to 4 months to get. It’s valid for up to 3 years and you can extend it.

Family members can join you as dependants with this permit type. They’re not allowed to work in Poland. Find out more about taking your family with you.

How it works

You need to check with Poland’s authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.

  1. You apply for a D visa at the Polish consulate in the UK.

  2. You register your address at your local town hall in Poland, if you’re staying longer than 30 days.

  3. You submit a temporary residence permit application to the provincial office (local authority).

Application documents

Poland’s authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:

  • completed permit application form
  • UK passport for you and any dependants, valid for 6 months
  • standard passport photo (35mm x 45mm) for each applicant
  • marriage certificate, if married
  • birth certificates for any children
  • master’s level or higher degree certificate
  • hosting agreement with an approved research organisation
  • statement from the research organisation confirming they will cover your living expenses and return travel
  • proof of health insurance for you and any dependants
  • proof you have enough money to cover your stay
  • accommodation lease agreement (required once in Poland)

Polish government guidance

Read official Polish government information on:

Check for travel changes

European governments may update or change their rules without notice.

You should always check general travel advice for Poland, for updates on issues such as safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings before travelling, or planning to travel.

Updates to this page

Published 28 May 2021
Last updated 15 April 2024 + show all updates

  1. Hyperlink for EU intra-company transfer page updated to English-language version.

  2. Content reviewed. No changes made. (The information provided is up-to-date as of 11 September 2023.)

  3. Content reviewed. No changes made. (The information provided is up-to-date as of 21 July 2023).

  4. Content reviewed. No changes made. (The information provided is up-to-date as of 22 March 2023).

  5. Content reviewed. No changes made. (The information provided is up-to-date as of 9 January 2023).

  6. Removed the EU Blue Card option when working for a company in Poland on a Polish contract - you can only apply for this if you're already in Poland. You need a type D work permit, rather than a type E, for providing services to a client in Poland. The information provided is up-to-date as of 23 September 2022.

  7. Corrected link for family members and research work. The information provided is up-to-date as of 30 November 2021.

  8. First published.

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