Knowledge base
Declaration on entrusting work to a foreigner
The declaration on entrusting work to a foreigner (oświadczenie o powierzeniu wykonywania pracy cudzoziemcowi) is a simplified procedure in which the employer informs the starost (starosta, head of the district) of its intention to employ a citizen of Armenia, Belarus, Moldova or Ukraine. After the entry in the register of declarations (ewidencja oświadczeń), the foreigner may work without a work permit (zezwolenie na pracę) for the period stated in the declaration, no longer than 24 months, for work other than seasonal work.
Prepared by the Back2Work team (employment agency, KRAZ 31286). Legal status checked: 1 October 2026.
What is a declaration on entrusting work to a foreigner?
It is an alternative to a work permit. The employer files the declaration with the district labour office (powiatowy urząd pracy), and the entry in the register of declarations is made by the starost, that is, the labour office competent for the employer's registered office.
The entry does not replace a residence title. Before work starts, the employer is responsible for checking that the foreigner is staying in Poland legally, so it is worth establishing this before filing the documents.
Which countries' citizens does the declaration cover?
Since 1 December 2025, the procedure covers citizens of four countries: Armenia, Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine. Georgia has been removed from the list and a new declaration can no longer be registered for a Georgian citizen.
A Georgian citizen who was entrusted with work under a declaration registered before the change may work on the existing terms until the declaration expires. For other nationalities, a different basis for legal work is needed, depending on residence status.
For how long can work be entrusted under a declaration?
The period of work stated in one declaration may not exceed 24 months, but after it ends the employer may immediately file another declaration for the same foreigner. The start date of work stated in the declaration must fall no later than 6 months from the day it is filed.
The declaration does not cover seasonal work. For seasonal work, a separate seasonal work permit is used, issued for periods not exceeding 9 months in a calendar year.
How and where do you file the declaration?
The declaration is filed exclusively electronically, through the praca.gov.pl portal, with the competent district labour office. It is filed by the employer or its representative, before the foreigner starts work.
A fee of PLN 400 is charged for filing the declaration. The starost refuses the entry, among other cases, when the declaration contains untrue data or false information, or when the available information shows that the work would be entrusted only for appearances.
What obligations does the employer have after the declaration is registered?
The most important obligation is to notify the starost through praca.gov.pl, within 7 days of the day work began, that the foreigner has started work, and, within 14 days of the start date of work specified in the register of declarations, that the foreigner has not started work. The remaining obligations concern the contract and employment conditions:
- checking valid residence documents before work starts,
- concluding a written contract before the foreigner is allowed to work; if the contract is in Polish and the foreigner does not know Polish, presenting its content to them beforehand in writing in a language they understand,
- sending the office a copy of the contract in Polish through praca.gov.pl before work starts,
- informing the worker in writing about trade union rights.
How does the declaration differ from a work permit?
The declaration is registered by the starost, while the work permit is issued by the voivode (wojewoda) at the employer's request. The exception is the seasonal work permit, which is issued by the starost.
A work permit is issued for a period of up to 3 years, while a declaration covers up to 24 months per declaration and only citizens of the four indicated countries.
| Feature | Declaration | Work permit |
|---|---|---|
| Who decides | Starost (district labour office) | Voivode; seasonal: starost |
| Who it covers | Citizens of Armenia, Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine | Foreigners who need a permit, including citizens of these four countries; a residence title is required |
| Maximum period | Up to 24 months per declaration | Up to 3 years |
| Seasonal work | Not covered | Seasonal work permit for up to 9 months a year |
| How it is filed | Electronically, praca.gov.pl | Electronically, praca.gov.pl (from 1.06.2025) |
Frequently asked questions
No. The declaration is filed exclusively electronically, through the praca.gov.pl portal, with the competent district labour office. This also applies to the employer's representative.
Since 1 December 2025, a new declaration can no longer be registered for a Georgian citizen. A Georgian citizen who was entrusted with work under a previously registered declaration may work until its expiry.
The fee is PLN 400 and has applied since 1 December 2025. It is paid to the account of the competent district labour office.
You inform the office of the start of work within 7 days of the day it began, and of the foreigner not starting work within 14 days of the start date of work specified in the register of declarations. The notification is submitted through praca.gov.pl.
No. The declaration does not cover seasonal work. For such work, an application is filed for a seasonal work permit, which is processed by the starost.
Sources
- Złóż oświadczenie o powierzeniu pracy cudzoziemcowi (biznes.gov.pl)
- Oświadczenie o powierzeniu pracy cudzoziemcowi (gupkrakow.praca.gov.pl)
- Nowe przepisy dotyczące oświadczeń o powierzeniu pracy cudzoziemcowi: obowiązują od 1 grudnia 2025 r. (szamotuly.praca.gov.pl)
- Oświadczenie o powierzeniu pracy cudzoziemcowi. Których krajów dotyczy? (zielonalinia.gov.pl)
- Zezwolenia na pracę (psz.praca.gov.pl)
- Oświadczenie o powierzeniu wykonywania pracy cudzoziemcowi (warszawa.praca.gov.pl)
- Ustawa o warunkach dopuszczalności powierzania pracy cudzoziemcom, tekst ujednolicony w ISAP (isap.sejm.gov.pl)
Sources checked on 1-4 October 2026. Regulations may change, so check the current legal status before making a decision. (documents in Polish)