Work for foreigners in Poland – Which professions are most in demand?

For years, Poland has remained an attractive destination for labor migration for foreigners from various parts of the world. Dynamic economic development, a stable situation, and cultural proximity (especially for neighbors from the East) attract employees. However, labor market demand is not uniform – in some industries and professions, staff shortages are particularly noticeable, creating great opportunities for foreigners. What professions are currently (as of early 2025) most in demand in Poland?

Why does Poland need workers from abroad?

The demand for foreign workers stems from several key factors:

• Economic Development: Many sectors of the Polish economy are growing dynamically, generating new jobs.
• Demographics: An aging society and low birth rates cause a shrinking labor force.
• Emigration of Poles: Poles leaving to work in other EU countries also create gaps in the domestic market.
• Skill Gaps: There is a shortage of qualified Polish workers in some specialized fields.
• Geopolitical Situation: The influx of refugees, especially from Ukraine, has also affected the labor market structure, simultaneously creating a new supply of workers and specific needs.

Main sources of information on in-demand professions

To check the current demand for specific professions, it is worth referring to reliable sources:

• “Occupational Barometer” (Barometr Zawodów): This is an annual, nationwide study commissioned by the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy. It shows demand forecasts for employees by profession (shortage, balanced, surplus) at the national and regional levels. It’s a very valuable source of information.
• Statistics Poland (GUS) data: Publishes data on employment, wages, and unemployment broken down by economic sectors.
• Voivodes’ regulations on shortage occupations: Each voivode annually publishes a list of professions for which obtaining the starosta’s information (labor market test) is not required when applying for a work permit for a foreigner. This is a practical indicator of high demand.
• Reports from employment agencies and job portals: Commercial reports often analyze recruitment trends and indicate sought-after candidate profiles.

Sectors and professions with the highest demand for foreign workers (as of 2025)

Analyzing available data and trends from recent years, several main areas can be identified where the demand for foreign workers is particularly high (remember that the situation is dynamic):

• Construction: Consistently a sector with high needs. Wanted are: construction workers (carpenters, rebar workers, bricklayers, plasterers, roofers), installation fitters (electrical, plumbing, ventilation), construction machinery operators, construction engineers.
• Transport & Logistics: Huge demand for truck and tractor-trailer drivers (cat. C+E), as well as bus drivers. There is also a shortage of warehouse workers (especially those certified for forklifts) and freight forwarders.
• Manufacturing Industry: Wanted are machine operators (including CNC), welders (various methods), electricians, electromechanics, locksmiths, as well as manual workers on production lines.
• Healthcare & Social Assistance: A sector struggling with chronic staff shortages. Needed are nurses, caregivers for the elderly and disabled, physiotherapists, and also doctors, especially in certain specializations. Important: Recognition of qualifications is crucial in medical professions.
• IT / New Technologies: Still a very absorptive industry, seeking programmers (Java, Python, C++, frontend, backend), data analysts, cybersecurity specialists, software testers, system administrators.
• Services / Gastronomy / Hospitality: High demand, often for positions requiring lower qualifications: cooks, kitchen helpers, waiters, bartenders, hotel service staff, cleaners. Demand here often increases seasonally.
• Agriculture: Mainly seasonal workers for fieldwork, fruit and vegetable harvesting.

Regional demand – Differences between voivodeships

It’s worth remembering that the demand for workers is not uniform throughout Poland. Regions with highly developed industry (e.g., Silesia) will have a greater demand for production workers, tourist regions (e.g., Pomerania, Lesser Poland) for HoReCa workers, and large metropolitan areas for IT specialists and service workers. Therefore, it is always worth checking data for a specific voivodeship or even district (e.g., in the “Occupational Barometer”).

Legal aspects – what to know when seeking work in an in-demand profession?

Even if your profession is highly sought after, you must remember about legalizing your stay and work:

• Shortage occupations and the labor market test: If your profession is on the voivode’s list, it will be easier for an employer to obtain a Type A work permit for you (they don’t need to conduct the labor market test).
• High qualifications (IT, engineering, medicine): If you meet the criteria (education/experience and appropriate salary), you may qualify for an EU Blue Card, which offers additional benefits.
• Recognition of qualifications: In many professions (especially regulated ones like medical, technical), you will need to undergo the procedure for recognizing your foreign diplomas and qualifications.
• Necessity of legalization: Regardless of demand, you must have a valid residence title (visa, residence card) and authorization to work (permit, declaration, notification, or status exempting you from this obligation).

Scenario: truck driver from Ukraine

Mykola, an experienced truck driver (C+E) from Ukraine, arrived in Poland after Feb 24, 2022, and obtained PESEL UKR. He sees many job offers for drivers. He contacts a transport company.

1. The company knows that C+E driver is a shortage occupation in Poland and that Mykola, being covered by the Special Act, can take up work based on notification.
2. The employer verifies his documents: passport, PESEL UKR, driving license (and possibly other qualifications like Code 95).
3. They sign an employment contract.
4. Within 14 days of Mykola starting work, the company submits a notification to the PUP via the praca.gov.pl portal.
5. Mykola works legally. To stay in Poland longer than his temporary protection status allows, he will need to apply for a temporary residence permit at the appropriate time.

How to find a job in an in-demand profession?

• Job portals: The most popular Polish portals (e.g., Pracuj.pl, OLX Praca, Indeed, LinkedIn) publish thousands of offers.
• Employment agencies: Many agencies specialize in recruiting foreigners.
• EURES network: The European Job Mobility Portal.
• Direct contact with companies: It’s worth sending your CV directly to companies in industries that interest you.
• Labor Offices: Job offers are also available at District Labor Offices (PUP).

Need help with legal issues related to employment?

Whether you are an employer looking for workers or a foreigner seeking work in Poland, issues of legalizing stay and work are crucial. Our law firm offers support in this area:

• We help employers obtain work permits, including verifying if a labor market test is required.
• We advise foreigners on obtaining visas and residence permits (including the EU Blue Card).
• We ensure employment contracts comply with Polish law and permit conditions.
• We help navigate the regulations concerning the employment of foreigners, including Ukrainian citizens.

Poland offers many professional opportunities for foreigners, especially in sectors affected by labor shortages. Remember, however, that finding a job is just the beginning – legalizing your employment and stay is equally important.

(Please remember that the labor market is dynamic, and demand for professions may change. The information in the article is based on general trends and data available as of early 2025. Always check current data from official sources, such as the “Occupational Barometer”. This article does not constitute legal or career advice.)