[REPORT] How does the reality of foreign workers in Poland look today?

Does the Polish labour market fully utilize the potential of foreign workers? What barriers do they face on a daily basis, and what determines their decision to stay in Poland longer?

At Smart Solutions HR, we conducted a survey analyzing the situation, experiences, and perspectives of foreigners employed in Poland. The results shed new light on the integration, economic, and adaptation challenges faced by both employers and employees.

Key insights from the study:

• The phenomenon of brain waste and deskilling: Nearly every third respondent (30.8%) has higher education (a bachelor’s or master’s degree), yet the dominant area of employment remains the production and warehouse sector (nearly 80%).
• Cost of living and local consumption: As many as 43.6% of respondents spend 100% of their income in Poland, without transferring funds abroad. The biggest financial burden is the cost of renting accommodation (indicated by 78.2% of respondents).
• Administrative and language barriers: Lengthy legalization procedures (51.9%) are the main source of stress, while the language barrier (54.9%) remains a key obstacle to full integration and career advancement.
• High retention potential: Despite the challenges, as many as 65.4% of respondents are not considering moving to another country, and over 70% believe that Poland offers better life prospects than their country of origin.

How can companies build effective work environments, reduce turnover, and support talent from abroad?

Explore detailed data, charts, and operational conclusions for HR departments in the full version of our study.

Read the full report here: [link to full pdf]