In recent years, Poland has become one of the main host countries for refugees and migrants from Ukraine. As a result, the regulations on the legalisation of residence and employment of foreigners, including Ukrainians, have been adapted to the new realities. Here are the most important changes that affect the situation of Ukrainians in Poland.

1. Facilitation of legalisation of residence

• Special provisions for war refugees: Under the EU's Temporary Protection Directive, Ukrainians can legally reside, work and use public services in Poland without going through traditional visa or residence procedures.
• Renewal of documents: Many documents, such as temporary residence permits or residence cards, have been automatically renewed for people from Ukraine, reducing the administrative burden.

2. changes in employment

• Greater access to the labour market: Ukrainians can undertake work without the need for additional permits, making it much easier for them to enter the labour market. In 2024, as many as 65% refugees from Ukraine were employed in Poland - the highest rate among OECD countries.
• Support for under-qualified workers: Many Ukrainians work below their qualifications (46%), which is due to, among other things, the language barrier and difficulties in recognising Ukrainian diplomas. The government and NGOs offer support programmes to help match qualifications with labour market needs.

3 New obligations for employers

• Reporting on employment of foreigners: Employers must report the employment of a foreigner to the relevant authorities within seven days of starting work. This is to better monitor the labour market situation.
• Inspections of working conditions: The number of checks on the employment conditions of foreigners has been increased in order to prevent abuses, such as underpayment of wages or lack of employment contracts.

4 Integration support

• Polish language courses: The language barrier remains one of the biggest challenges for Ukrainians. Currently, only 14% refugees declare good knowledge of the Polish language. In response, the government and community organisations are organising free language courses.
• Adaptation programmes: Programmes have been put in place to support professional and social integration, such as CV assistance and vocational training adapted to the Polish labour market.

5. higher penalties for illegal employment

Tougher sanctions have been introduced for employers who employ foreigners without the relevant permits or contracts. This is aimed at protecting workers' rights and reducing the grey market.

These developments are crucial both for Ukrainians seeking stability in Poland and for Polish employers trying to meet the challenges of labour shortages.