New Migration Policy 2025: How Poland is Preparing for a Labor Market Revolution?

Poland is gearing up to introduce a new migration policy that could fundamentally alter the landscape for both employers and foreign workers seeking employment. The strategy, “Regain Control. Ensure Security,” adopted by the Council of Ministers in October 2024, focuses on tightening migration control and facilitating the attraction of highly qualified workers. How will these changes impact the labor market, and what do they mean for key sectors of the economy?

According to the Central Statistical Office of Poland (GUS), by the end of May 2024, the number of foreigners working in Poland stood at 1,024.2 thousand, representing 6.7% of all employed persons. The largest group consisted of Ukrainian citizens, numbering 693,000. However, it is noteworthy that their share in the total workforce decreased by 5.6 percentage points compared to 2022.

The Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) reports that by the end of 2023, the number of insured foreign workers surpassed 1.127 million, of which over 52,000 operated their own businesses, contributing to job creation in Poland. These figures underscore the importance of labor migration to Poland’s economy while highlighting the challenges posed by increasing requirements for foreign workers.

“The new migration policy, while aiming to attract highly skilled workers, presents additional challenges for employers due to stricter controls and procedural requirements. For many industries, adapting to these changes will be critical to maintaining access to necessary labor, especially as the share of Ukrainian workers continues to decline,” comments Tetiana Hrynchyshyn, a legalization expert at Smart Solutions HR.

Key Objectives of the New Migration Policy

The strategy for 2025–2030 includes:

• Enhanced migration control: Selective visa issuance, cooperation with Frontex on deportations, and reduced visas for citizens from non-OECD countries.
• Digitalization of administrative processes: Applications for residence permits and work permits will only be submitted electronically.
• Introduction of a points-based system: Preference will be given to individuals with high qualifications and unique skills, modeled after the British system.

Challenges for Employers

The new migration regulations in Poland pose significant challenges for employers, especially regarding restricted access to foreign labor. Obtaining visas from countries like India, Pakistan, or Nigeria will become more difficult, potentially impacting sectors heavily reliant on workers from these regions, such as construction and logistics. The number of issued visas has already declined steadily—from 1.5 million annually just a few years ago to 600,000 in the past year. This reduction is likely to intensify competition for skilled labor.

For many employers, the new financial requirements also represent a significant hurdle. The need to provide salaries comparable to Polish standards means that the cost of employing foreign workers will rise, particularly affecting businesses that rely on cost competitiveness. On the one hand, this will eliminate wage-dumping practices, but on the other, it increases financial burdens for less-developed sectors.

Nevertheless, these changes may benefit strategic investors. Companies essential to the economy—those making a significant contribution to national development—will gain easier access to skilled labor. According to ZUS data, more than 52,000 foreigners were self-employed in Poland by the end of 2023. This group, representing over 4.5% of all insured foreign workers, could become a pillar of the new migration policy, especially if Poland intensifies its support for entrepreneurs from abroad.

“Changes in legalization processes may bring benefits by streamlining administrative procedures, but they also involve new challenges. Precise preparation of documentation and ongoing monitoring of legislative changes will be crucial to avoiding issues with the legalization of foreign workers,” adds Tetiana Hrynchyshyn.

New Legalization Rules

The new regulations include:

• Prioritizing OECD countries’ citizens: Poland will focus on attracting skilled workers from developed economies.
• Language proficiency requirements: Students and temporary workers from third countries will need to meet a B2 language level.
• Additional employer verification: Authorities will not only check the number of applications but also the actual employment of workers.

The number of visas issued has decreased in recent years, from 1.5 million to 600,000 annually. Most of these visas were granted to Ukrainian (55.5%) and Belarusian (26.6%) citizens. The new policy will restrict access for candidates from outside the OECD, affecting industries like construction, logistics, and agriculture.

Recommendations for Employers

The evolving migration regulations in Poland require employers to adapt their strategies for hiring foreign workers more strategically and professionally.

1. Focus on recruitment from visa-free countries

With stricter visa issuance from certain countries, directing recruitment efforts toward visa-free nations like Armenia, Georgia, and Moldova becomes essential. These countries offer a rich pool of qualified and motivated workers.

Our Support:

• Conducting detailed labor market research in these regions to identify high-potential sectors and industries.
• Organizing comprehensive recruitment processes, including candidate selection, qualification verification, and alignment with specific company needs.
• Facilitating communication with candidates and government offices to minimize the risk of formal errors.

2. Invest in systems for managing legalization processes

Increasingly complex procedures for work legalization require modern tools to manage documentation, track deadlines, and stay updated with legislative changes. Companies failing to upgrade their systems may face delays or penalties for non-compliance.

3. Collaborate with legalization experts

Changing regulations mean companies need specialized knowledge to avoid legal risks. Legalization experts are indispensable, particularly for complex cases like hiring workers from non-OECD countries or obtaining permits for large numbers of employees.

Summary

Poland’s new migration policy for 2025–2030 addresses labor migration challenges while aiming to modernize administrative processes. For companies, this means adjusting recruitment strategies and for foreign workers—meeting higher requirements for qualifications and legalization. The future will reveal whether these changes bring expected benefits to Poland’s economy and labor market security.