By Residence Angels
Relocation Company in Poland
Relocation Company in Poland
Poland New Immigration Law 2025 – Changes in Immigration Policy and Rules for Foreigners
Reading time: 10 minutes
In June and July 2025, significant amendments to Poland’s immigration law came into effect. These new immigration rules in Poland for foreigners aim to improve transparency, protect workers' rights, and tighten oversight over employers of foreign nationals. The new legal framework affects a wide range of individuals — from temporary residents to those applying for Polish citizenship or long-term stay.
This update covers all relevant changes introduced by the new immigration law in Poland, including employment procedures, work permit policies, and administrative responsibilities of employers.
Key Changes Introduced in June 2025
Key Changes Introduced in June 2025
Employers must store copies of foreigners’ residence documents for the duration of employment and an additional two years after the calendar year when the contract ends.
All contracts must be signed before the employee starts work and written both in Polish and in a language understood by the foreign worker.
Employers must include the foreigner’s PESEL number, if available, in all work permit applications.
The expected new fee is 200 PLN, with a possible range from 150 to 500 PLN. Final confirmation is pending, but this change is a part of Poland’s new immigration law update for 2025.
Authorities may reject work permits if the foreigner entered Poland and failed to begin work without justification, or if the employer obstructed labor inspections in the past two years.
The government plans to phase out praca.gov.pl and replace it with a new digital platform by the end of 2025. All employment-related procedures for foreigners will be handled exclusively online.
The Council of Ministers may introduce annual quotas on permits, based on region, sector, type of work, or the ratio of Polish to foreign employees.
Employer Responsibilities Under the New Rules
From June 2025, employers must:
- Submit employment contracts electronically within 7 days of the employee’s start date.
- Inform foreign employees of their rights to union membership in a language they understand.
- Adjust wages proportionally in case of increased working hours.
- Notify authorities if a foreigner does not start work within 2 months, is absent from work for more than 2 months, or ends work early.
Changes Starting July 1, 2025
Changes Starting July 1, 2025
Increased Citizenship Application Fees
Increased Citizenship Application Fees
- Citizenship by recognition: raised from 219 PLN to 1,000 PLN
- Citizenship by presidential grant: increased to 1,669 PLN
Transitional Language Proof for Long-Term Residency
Transitional Language Proof for Long-Term Residency
Applicants for EU long-term residence permits or Polish citizenship can still use certain educational diplomas to prove Polish language knowledge under transitional rules.
- If an application was started before July 1, 2025, previous diplomas remain valid.
- Diplomas from Polish post-secondary schools (e.g., szkoła policealna) received before June 30, 2025, can be used until June 30, 2026.
- Diplomas from foreign Polish-language schools issued before June 30, 2025, are also accepted.
Rules for Foreign Students and Schengen Residents
Rules for Foreign Students and Schengen Residents
Holders of residence permits or visas issued by other Schengen countries are not allowed to apply for Polish residence based on work unless specific mobility exemptions apply. However, they may still apply for stay on grounds such as family reunification or studies.
Summary of Poland’s Immigration Law Changes 2025
Summary of Poland’s Immigration Law Changes 2025
- Poland’s immigration law for 2025 introduces digital processing, new employer obligations, and tighter compliance rules.
- Changes to residence and citizenship procedures require immediate attention from both individuals and companies.
- All foreigners and employers dealing with residence, employment, or citizenship applications must review the new rules to stay compliant.