Savanna Hoffman
International students can work in Poland, and there are many job opportunities for them to choose from. Students can work part-time while studying, with no restrictions on the number of hours, as long as they are enrolled in an institution and have a valid residency permit. Full-time work is permitted during holidays, and students with Residence Cards can work full-time. Graduates of Polish higher education institutions can work in Poland without a permit, and internships are also available to students, which can be paid or unpaid.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Work while studying | International students can work part-time while studying as long as they are enrolled in an institution. |
| Work permit | Students who are not EU members must hold a valid residency permit. However, full-time students with a student visa or temporary residence permit do not need a work permit. |
| Work hours | Students can work up to 20 hours during studies and 3 months of full-time work during holidays. |
| Post-graduation work | Graduates of Polish higher education institutions' full-time programs can work without a permit but must have a valid temporary residence permit. They can stay back for 2-3 years if they can support themselves financially. |
| Internships | Most internships in Poland are paid. |
| Tax exemption | Foreigners under 26 years of age with a contract of employment in Poland are exempt from income tax. |
| Work contracts | Poland has different forms of employment contracts, including probation period contracts, pre-placement employment contracts, specific-task contracts, and contracts of mandate. |
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What You'll Learn
International students' right to work in Poland
International students can work in Poland, but there are some conditions. Students from EU member countries can work in Poland without restriction. However, students from non-EU countries must hold a valid residency permit or a visa for full-time studies.
International students can work part-time while studying in Poland, provided they are enrolled in an institution. There is a limit of 20 hours of work during studies and up to three months of full-time work during holidays. Students with Residence Cards can work full-time. There are no restrictions on the number of hours that can be worked part-time, and students can earn up to PLN 85,528 per year without paying income tax.
There are various types of employment contracts available in Poland, including:
- Probation period contracts, which are valid for up to three months
- Preplacement employment contracts, which are signed in the absence of a regular employee
- Specific-task contracts, which are signed without defining the date of work performance, and are paid based on results
- Contracts of mandate, which are signed to carry out specific tasks and are paid for the act of working, rather than the results
International students can also undertake internships, which are a great way to gain experience and boost their CVs. Most internships in Poland are paid, and can be found through job boards or student organisations like AIESEC and IAESTE.
After graduating, students can stay and work in Poland without a permit, as long as their stay permit is in order. They can stay for an additional 2-3 years, provided they can financially support themselves without government benefits.
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Work permits and visas
International students can work in Poland as long as they are enrolled in an institution. Students who are not nationals of EU member countries must hold a valid residency permit. Students from member countries of the EU may work without restriction. There is no limit to the number of hours international students can work part-time, though it is recommended that their priority should be their studies.
International students with a student visa or a temporary residence permit do not need a work permit. This applies to EU/EEA citizens and holders of the Card of the Pole. Graduates of a Polish higher education institution full-time program do not need a work permit, but they must have a valid residence permit. Students from third countries residing in Poland legally on the basis of a residence permit that entitles them to work do not need a work permit if they are carrying out work within the framework of professional internships.
International students with refugee status in Poland, those with a temporary residence permit for family reunification, and those with a temporary residence permit for being a victim of human trafficking do not need a work permit. Students with a temporary residence permit for studies do not need a work permit, even while they are waiting for their permit.
After finding employment, graduates of higher education in Poland may work without a permit as long as they have the right to stay in Poland and their studies were full-time. Graduates of part-time studies are not exempt from the work permit requirement.
Students can work under a probation period contract for no longer than three months, which allows the employer to check the qualifications of the employee. There are also specific-task contracts, where the duration of the employment contract depends on the performance of the work, and the employee is paid based on the results. A contract of mandate is signed if the employee agrees to carry out specific tasks for an employer, and they are paid for the act of working itself, not the results.
International students under 26 years of age can earn up to PLN 85,528 (about EUR 19,890) per year and are exempt from income tax.
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Internships
International students can find internships in Poland, which can be a great way to gain experience in their chosen career field. Most internships in Poland are paid, and they can be found through job boards or student organisations like AIESEC and IAESTE. Internships in Poland are typically open to over-18s who are university students or recent graduates, especially if the internship relates to their field of study.
In terms of eligibility, EU/EEA nationals can work and intern in Poland without a separate work permit, whereas non-EU/EEA citizens will generally need a work permit, even for internships. Non-EU/EEA students can work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and up to 40 hours per week during breaks or holidays. To work beyond 20 hours during term time, they must apply for an individual work permit. However, this typically applies to internships with specific requirements.
Poland's job market is competitive, so determination is key when pursuing internship opportunities. Polish is the primary language in the country, so learning some basic phrases or enrolling in a Polish language course can be beneficial. When preparing for internship interviews, it is important to learn about the company's culture, market position, and values, as Polish businesses value well-prepared candidates.
For international students, understanding work permit regulations is crucial. While EU/EEA students have priority in filling vacancies, there are still opportunities for non-EU/EEA students, especially in sectors like IT, marketing, customer service, and education. Additionally, students who intend to remain in Poland after graduation may apply for a post-study work visa or temporary residence permit to seek full-time employment.
Overall, internships in Poland offer a great opportunity for international students to gain valuable experience, build their CVs, and explore the local culture. With a strong economy and a wide range of investment incentives, Poland is an attractive destination for those looking to start their careers.
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Job opportunities
International students can work in Poland, as long as they are enrolled in an institution. Students who are not nationals of EU member countries must hold a valid residency permit. There is a diverse job market in Poland, with a range of job opportunities for international students.
Part-time work
International students can work part-time while studying. Up to 20 hours of part-time work is permitted during studies, and full-time work is allowed during holidays. There are no restrictions on the number of hours that can be worked part-time, and students can technically work as much as they like if they can find a part-time job. However, the priority for students is their studies, including attending classes, working on assignments, and passing courses.
Full-time work
Full-time work is permitted for Residence Card holders. Students from member countries of the European Union may work in Poland without restriction after they graduate. Graduates of Polish higher education institutions' full-time programs do not need a permit to work in Poland, as long as their stay permit is in order.
Internships
Internships are a great way to gain experience in a chosen career field and enhance one's resume. Most internships in Poland are paid. International students can work as interns without a work permit if they are legally residing in Poland and are carrying out work within the framework of professional internships directed by organizations that are members of international student associations.
Poland offers a wide range of job opportunities for international students. In addition to the booming IT sector in cities like Warsaw and Kraków, there are roles in hospitality, such as bartenders or baristas, teaching languages, customer service, and retail.
Taxes
Young people under 26 years of age can earn up to PLN 85,528 (about EUR 19,890) per year and do not have to pay income tax. This applies to foreigners who are tax residents or have an employment contract in Poland.
Contracts
There are different forms of employment contracts in Poland, including:
- Probation period contract: This enables the employer to check the qualifications of the employee and can be for no longer than 3 months.
- Preplacement employment contract: This is a type of fixed-term contract signed when a regular employee is absent.
- Specific-task contract: This is signed when the duration of employment is dependent on performance, and the employee is paid based on results.
- Contract of mandate: This is signed when the employee agrees to carry out specific tasks and is paid for the act of working itself, not the results.
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Taxation
International students can work in Poland as long as they are enrolled in an institution. Students who are not nationals of EU member countries must also hold a valid residency permit. Full-time students who possess a student visa or a temporary residence permit do not need a work permit.
The Polish taxation system consists of several types of taxes. Every person working in Poland must pay tax on the income earned. Depending on your status, age, and type of employment, taxation varies. There is a flat rate of 20% calculated on revenue (cost deductions are not allowed) unless a double tax treaty (DTT) between Poland and the individual's country of residence provides otherwise. From 2023, the only acceptable form of taxation for private rental income is lump-sum taxation (8.5% rate for revenues below PLN 100,000 per year and 12.5% on the surplus).
After the end of a tax year, you should submit an annual tax declaration (PIT). If you perform work under an employment contract or mandate contract, you should get PIT-11 from your employer by the end of February, on the basis of which you will have to prepare the PIT-37 declaration and submit it to the tax office in accordance with your place of residence by April 30. If the tax declaration results in underpayment of tax, you must pay the amount resulting from the tax return to your individual tax micro-account by April 30. To generate an individual micro-account, you must have a PESEL or NIP number in Poland. If you are paying taxes in your home country, you will have to submit the certificate of tax residency in your home country before arriving in Poland.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students can work in Poland as long as they are enrolled in an institution. Students who are not nationals of EU member countries must also hold a valid residency permit.
Students are allowed to work 20 hours per week during their studies and up to 3 months of full-time work during holidays.
If you have a student visa or a temporary residence permit, you do not need a work permit. Graduates of Polish higher education institutions who have completed full-time programs also do not need a work permit.
Yes, individuals under 26 years of age can earn up to PLN 85,528 (approximately EUR 19,890) per year without paying income tax, regardless of nationality.
Most universities in Poland have a career office that assists students in finding jobs. You can also look for internships, which are a great way to gain experience and make connections. Additionally, the EURES Network provides job listings tailored for international students from the EU, Norway, Iceland, and Switzerland.
