Polish Work Permit Solutions for International Companies

Required when a foreign employee is hired directly by a Polish employer under an employment contract or civil contract.
Ideal for:

• Skilled professionals
• Managers
• Office employees
• Engineers
• IT specialists
• Factory workers
• Hospitality staff
• Healthcare professionals

We prepare the complete application, represent the employer before the authorities and support the employee until the permit is issued.

For company board members and directors managing a Polish company.
Usually required within the first 6 months after appointment.

For employees transferred within the same international corporate group.

For foreign employees performing export services in Poland.

For specialists delegated to Poland where no other permit category applies.
Often used for industrial installations, commissioning and technical projects.

Work Permit A is required when a foreign national is employed directly by a Polish company. It is the most common type of Polish work permit and applies to employment contracts and civil law contracts. The Polish employer submits the application before the employee can legally start work.

Work Permit B is issued to foreign nationals serving as members of the management board of a Polish company. It authorizes them to perform management duties in Poland and is commonly required for company directors and CEOs.

In most cases, a foreign board member should obtain Work Permit B if they manage a Polish company for more than six months within a consecutive twelve-month period. The exact requirements depend on the company's structure and the individual's role.

Yes. Foreign nationals may legally become board members or directors of Polish companies. Depending on their nationality and immigration status, they may also need Work Permit B and a residence permit.

Installation and commissioning engineers are commonly covered by Work Permit D or Work Permit E, depending on the project structure, employer and assignment. Every cross-border project should be analysed individually before selecting the appropriate permit.

Yes. Chinese engineers can legally work in Poland provided they obtain the appropriate work authorization and, where required, the correct visa or residence permit. The exact solution depends on whether they are employed directly, transferred within a corporate group or delegated for a temporary project.

Work Permit C applies to employees transferred within the same international corporate group to work for a Polish branch or affiliated company. It is commonly used for intra-company transfers.

Work Permit D is intended for foreign employees temporarily assigned to Poland to perform export services for a foreign employer. It is frequently used for installation, assembly, commissioning and technical support projects.

Work Permit E applies when a foreign employee performs work in Poland that does not fall under Work Permit A, B, C or D. It is commonly used for complex international business structures and specialised assignments.

Not always.
The applicant depends on the type of work permit and the legal structure of the project. In many cross-border installation projects, the application is submitted either by the Chinese employer that delegates the employees or by the Polish entity when required by the specific work permit category. The German contracting company is not automatically entitled to act as the applicant simply because it signed the commercial contract.
Every project should be analysed individually before selecting the correct application strategy.

No. In most installation and commissioning projects, the Polish customer is not the legal employer of the foreign engineers. Employment usually remains with the foreign company that assigned the employees to Poland.

Processing times depend on the region and workload of the authority. In most cases, work permits are issued within approximately 1 to 6 months, although more complex cases may take longer.

The required documents depend on the permit type but typically include company registration documents, employment or assignment contracts, passport copies, project documentation, powers of attorney, corporate information and supporting documents from the foreign employer and, where applicable, the Polish customer.

Yes. Residence Angels can act as the authorized legal representative throughout the work permit process. We prepare documentation, submit applications, communicate with authorities and support employers until the permits are issued.

In many cases, yes. A work permit alone does not always authorize entry into Poland. Depending on nationality and immigration status, engineers may also require a national visa, residence permit or another legal basis for entry and stay. We advise on the complete immigration strategy.