Updated: 12 November 2026
Quick table
| Citizenship | Basis for work |
|---|---|
| EU, EEA, Switzerland | No permit. For stays over 3 months — residence registration. |
| Ukraine | Legal stay (e.g. UKR status, CUKR card) + labour office notification within 7 days of starting work. |
| Armenia, Belarus, Moldova | Work declaration (oświadczenie, up to 24 months) or a work permit / residence card. |
| Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, India, Turkey and others | A work permit or a single permit for temporary residence and work. |
Who works without a permit — whatever the country
- Karta Polaka holders with a valid residence title.
- Graduates of Polish universities (bachelor’s, master’s, long-cycle master’s).
- Graduates of Polish secondary schools with a Polish vocational qualification document.
- People with a residence card granting labour-market access, e.g. with permanent residence.
- CUKR card holders.
Who handles the formalities
- The notification (Ukraine) and the work declaration (Armenia, Belarus, Moldova) are filed by whoever entrusts the work — via praca.gov.pl.
- A work permit is also applied for by whoever entrusts the work, via praca.gov.pl. It’s issued for up to 3 years.
- A single permit for temporary residence and work — you apply online in the MOS system, and whoever entrusts the work completes an annex. See residence card for work.
Document checklist — courier
- Passport and residence document (visa, residence card, UKR status).
- Your basis for work from the table above.
- A PESEL number — see PESEL for foreigners.
- A Polish bank account.
Document checklist — taxi driver
- Everything on the courier list.
- A Polish driving licence — see licence exchange.
- A criminal record certificate and medical and psychological certificates.
At Optymist
Before you sign, we’ll check with you the basis on which you can work and tell you what’s missing. We write in Polish, Ukrainian, Russian and English.
At Optymist we complete annex no. 1 (załącznik nr 1) and help you prepare and submit your residence card application — from the document list to the office visit. Message us in English, Polish, Ukrainian or Russian.
This is general information as of November 2026, based on gov.pl and zielonalinia.gov.pl. It is not legal advice. Rules for foreigners change often — confirm your situation with the voivodeship office, the labour office or the Zielona Linia helpline.
FAQ
Can a Belarusian citizen work on a work declaration?
Yes. The oświadczenie o powierzeniu pracy covers citizens of Armenia, Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine — for up to 24 months.
Can a Georgian citizen work on a work declaration?
No. Georgia isn’t on the list — a work permit or a temporary residence and work permit is needed.
Who files the notification for a Ukrainian citizen?
Whoever entrusts the work — with the labour office within 7 days of the start of work, via praca.gov.pl.
Does Optymist help with the residence card?
Yes. We complete annex no. 1 and help you prepare and submit your residence card application.
