Poland Blocks Work Permits for Schengen Visa Holders from June 1, 2026
New rules taking effect June 1, 2026, will bar foreigners staying on visas issued by other Schengen countries from legalizing employment in Poland, tightening access to the labor market for mobile workers.
Starting June 1, 2026, new regulations will come into force that redefine foreign nationals' access to legal employment in Poland, with an amendment to the Act on Foreigners introducing a hard block on the labor market for individuals arriving from countries such as Bulgaria, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, and Lithuania.
The amendment to Article 116 introduces a hard block for individuals staying based on a visa issued by another Schengen state or staying based solely on an entry permit, with new provisions allowing authorities to refuse to initiate proceedings for residence and work permits.
Who Is Affected?
The restriction primarily impacts workers who entered Poland on Schengen visas issued by Czech, Slovak, German, or other EU consulates, or on short-term entry permits. Exceptions apply only for individuals benefiting from so-called mobility—strictly defined cases of rotational employment within EU member states.
This marks a sharp departure from the previous system, where workers could arrive on a Schengen visa and later apply for Polish work authorization. Visas issued for specified purposes, including visas issued by other Schengen area countries, transit visas, and certain national visas, no longer entitle holders to work on the basis of a declaration or work permit, meaning that a visa issued for the purpose of taking up work has become practically the only possibility for many categories of foreigners to commence legal employment in Poland.
What Employers Should Know
Companies that have relied on recruiting workers from neighboring EU countries who were already in the Schengen zone face a reduced talent pool. Employers must now ensure that third-country nationals arrive with the correct Polish work visa before employment can begin. The change eliminates the pathway many staffing agencies previously used to quickly onboard foreign workers.
For foreigners planning to work in Poland: If you're a non-EU national currently working in another Schengen country and considering a move to Poland, you can no longer simply transfer using your existing visa. You must apply for a Polish national work visa (Type D) from outside Poland or ensure you have an appropriate residence basis before June 1. Check with an immigration adviser now if your current status might be affected.
Sources
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