Temporary Residence and Work in Poland in 2026
Poland's temporary residence and work permit is the standard single permit for many third-country nationals who want to live and work in Poland for more than three months.
Residence and work in one decision
The permit combines the right to reside in Poland with authorization to work under the conditions specified in the decision. It is generally granted for the period needed to achieve the purpose of stay, from more than three months up to 3 years.
The underlying employment must remain lawful under Poland's current foreign-employment rules. Work authorization can also arise through an employer-obtained work permit or another statutory exemption, depending on the applicant's situation.
2025 employment reform still governs 2026 applications
On 1 June 2025, Poland's new Act on the Conditions for the Admissibility of Employing Foreigners entered into force. The reform digitized procedures and replaced the former labour-market-test mechanism with a different control model, including the possibility of local occupation restrictions.
A work permit is generally employer-driven and may be issued for up to 3 years, subject to shorter-period rules in specified cases.
Do not confuse a work permit with the residence permit itself: both lawful stay and lawful work must be covered.
Official guidance: Temporary Residence and Work.
Related: Poland immigration hub, methodology, and the legal disclaimer.
Official and supporting sources
- Polish official guidance — Temporary Residence and Workgovernment · accessed 2026-09-22