For the complete documentation index, see llms.txt
For the complete documentation index, see llms.txt
Poland: Acceptable Documents for Right to Work Verification
To perform a right to work check in Poland, the following documents can be accepted.
## Natural Citizens
- Polish Passport
- EEA and Swiss Passports
- National ID Card
## Foreign Nationals
### EEA and Swiss Nationals
- Identity Card
### Non-EEA Nationals
A non-EEA national needs to demonstrate **both**:
1. A valid **residence document** – proof of a legal right to stay in Poland, **and**
2. A valid **work permit** – proof of a legal right to work
...unless they hold one of the "combined" documents listed below, which covers both at once.
#### Accepted residence documents
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Long-stay (national D) visa, issued for a work purpose | Temporary – capped at 1 year, must be paired with a separate work permit. Tourist/family-visit visas (codes 01, 02, 11, 14, 20, 23) never permit work. |
| Temporary residence permit | Temporary – renewable, generally paired with a separate work permit unless it's the combined permit below. |
| Permanent residence permit | Entitles the holder to work in their own right – **no separate work permit needed.** |
| EU long-term resident permit | Entitles the holder to work in their own right – **no separate work permit needed.** |
| Single (combined) permit for temporary residence and work – *jednolite zezwolenie na pobyt i pracę* | Covers residence and work in one document – **no separate work permit needed.** |
#### Accepted work permits (Poland issues six types, depending on the work arrangement)
| Type | Applies when the candidate... |
|---|---|
| **A** | Will work in Poland for an employer/entity based in Poland |
| **B** | Will sit on the management board of a Polish-registered company, or hold a general partner/procuration role, for more than 6 months in consecutive 12 months |
| **C** | Works for a foreign employer and is posted to a Polish branch/plant of that employer (or a related entity) for more than 30 days in a calendar year |
| **D** | Works for a foreign employer with no branch in Poland, and is posted for a temporary/occasional service (export service) |
| **E** | Works for a foreign employer and is posted to Poland for more than 30 days in any 6-month period, for a purpose not covered by B, C or D permits |
| **S** | Works for a foreigner who will perform work in the scope of activities specified in the Regulation of the Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy of December 8, 2017 (i.e. activities directly related to agriculture, forestry, hunting and fishing, or catering and accommodation) |
A registered declaration on entrusting work to a foreigner is also accepted in place of a work permit for certain nationalities and short-term roles.
#### How the two usually fit together
There is no single fixed document – the right combination depends on the candidate's route into Poland:
- **Posted/visa route:** the employer secures the work permit (Type A–E, seasonal permit, or declaration) first; the candidate then applies for the work-purpose visa at a Polish consulate, which is issued on the strength of that permit. The visa alone only covers the first year – if the candidate stays longer, they'll usually move onto a residence permit (often the combined one) from within Poland.
- **Settled route:** a candidate with a Permanent residence permit, EU long-term resident permit, or the combined temporary residence-and-work permit already has both limbs covered – don't request a separate work permit from them.
If it's unclear which route applies, look at the candidate's specific permit/visa type rather than assuming – the exact requirement is case-by-case rather than one standard document.
All of these documents can be uploaded securely through Zinc.
*Sources: [gov.pl – entry and residence conditions for foreign nationals](https://www.gov.pl/web/mswia-en/entry-and-residence-conditions-for-foreign-nationals-in-poland), [migrant.info.pl – documents entitling a foreigner to work in Poland](https://migrant.info.pl/en/Documents_entitling_a_foreigner_to_work_in_Poland), [biznes.gov.pl – when can foreign nationals lawfully work in Poland](https://biznes.gov.pl/en/portal/004948)*