On 1 June 2025, new rules regarding the employment of foreigners will come into force in Poland. From now on, local authorities — county starostas — will have the right to restrict access of foreign nationals to certain professions, depending on the situation on the local labour market.
The amendments provide for the possibility of compiling lists of professions for which work permits for foreigners will be suspended. Such lists may include specific professions and may also limit the total number of work permits in certain counties. The final decision on such lists will be made by the voivode, taking into account the needs of the labour market, migration policy and state security issues.
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According to a study by BIG InfoMonitor, almost half of small and medium-sized enterprises in Poland employ foreign workers. Their share is particularly high in the construction, transport, warehouse logistics and trade sectors. However, in regions with high unemployment, the new restrictions may partially affect these sectors.
The lists will be compiled taking into account factors such as the number of registered unemployed, the ratio of vacancies to candidates, and the risk of mass dismissals. The lists will be reviewed by county labour market councils and submitted to voivodes for approval. Once approved, they will be included in the register of professions subjects to restrictions in a particular county.
According to experts, due to the relatively stable unemployment situation in most regions of Poland, the large-scale introduction of such lists is currently unlikely.
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