The “oświadczenie o powierzeniu wykonywania pracy cudzoziemcowi” (statement on entrusting work to a foreigner) is one of Poland’s most important simplified procedures for hiring foreigners. It allows employers to hire workers from certain countries without a work permit, based on a registration of a statement at the local labour office (powiatowy urząd pracy).
This solution has been widely used by Polish companies in construction, agriculture, logistics, hospitality, and manufacturing, where there is a high demand for short-term and seasonal workers.
Which nationalities are eligible?
As of September 2025, the procedure applies to citizens of: Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine.
Ukraine – a special case
Since March 2022, Ukrainian citizens have been covered by Poland’s special act on assistance for Ukrainian refugees. Under this law, Ukrainians can work without work permits or oświadczenia – employers only need to notify the employment office (via praca.gov.pl) within 7 days of starting work.
How long can a foreigner work on the basis of an oświadczenie?
An oświadczenie allows legal employment for up to 24 months within a single registration, provided that the employment contract is signed and the work is performed in Poland.
If an employee wishes to stay longer, the employer must apply for a work permit (zezwolenie na pracę) or the worker must obtain a temporary residence and work permit (zezwolenie na pobyt czasowy i pracę).
Upcoming changes: Georgia may be removed from the list
In August 2025, the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy (MRPiPS) published a draft regulation to remove Georgia from the list of countries eligible for the oświadczenie procedure.
The reason? Authorities cite increasing cases of abuse of the simplified system, a rising number of illegal stays and asylum applications from Georgian citizens, and concerns that the simplified procedure is no longer used according to its intended purpose.
If the regulation enters into force, employers will no longer be able to hire Georgians under an oświadczenie. Instead, they would need to apply for a work permit or other standard legalisation procedures. Importantly, the draft regulation does not provide clear transitional rules for Georgians who already have valid oświadczenia, which has raised concerns among employers and legal practitioners.
Moldova’s status: no changes
For Moldovan citizens, the oświadczenie procedure remains available. Moldova is not subject to any current suspension or legislative changes in this area.
Moreover, Moldovans continue to benefit from visa-free entry to the Schengen Area (since 2014), making cross-border mobility relatively straightforward.
Belarus and Armenia – still covered
Despite political tensions, Belarusians remain on the oświadczenie list, and Armenian citizens also continue to benefit from the simplified employment procedure. There are no current plans to remove them.
Key Takeaways for Employers and HR Managers
Employers hiring Georgians should prepare for a possible end to the oświadczenie system. Standard work permits may soon become the only option.
Ukrainians continue to work without permits under the special act – quick notification is enough.
Moldova, Armenia, and Belarus remain stable within the system.
No new countries are being added to the list in the current legislative pipeline.