Companies operating in other countries can relocate their employees by following specific procedures. This is also the case in Poland, as it is an important international business center for many foreign enterprises.
Personnel relocation to Poland is possible for several categories of foreign workers. Below, our immigration lawyers in Poland explain the procedure related to intra-company transfers.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Location | Poland is positioned in Central Europe, surrounded by Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ukraine, Belarus, and Lithuania. |
|
Visa requirements |
Depending on the nationality and purpose of stay, a work visa or residence permit may be required for employee relocation to Poland. |
|
Work permits |
Non-EU employees generally need a work permit to work in Poland, which is usually sponsored by the employer. |
| EU citizens | EU/EEA citizens can live and work in Poland without a visa or work permit. |
| Language |
Polish is the official language, but English is widely used in business and larger cities. |
| Cost of living |
The cost of living in Poland is typically less expensive compared to other European countries. |
| Healthcare |
Poland has a public healthcare system, and private health insurance is advisable for expats. |
| Education |
There are international schools available for expatriate children in major cities. |
| Double tax treaties |
82 signed tax treaties may apply to avoid double taxation for foreign workers. |
| Working hours | The standard workweek in Poland is 40 hours, and overtime is typically compensated. |
| Banking and finance |
Poland has a stable banking system and various financial services tailored to expatriates. After employee relocation to Poland, our lawyers can help you understand Polish regulations. |
| Communication |
Internet and telecommunication services are reliable and widely available. |
| Diversity and inclusion |
Poland is gradually becoming more diverse and inclusive, welcoming expatriates from various backgrounds. |
| Growing job market |
Poland’s economy has been growing steadily, offering various job opportunities for skilled professionals. |
| Relocation services | If you are seeking services for employee relocation to Poland, our immigration lawyers can assist. |
Table of Contents
Changes in the intra-company transfer rules in Poland
Starting with the middle of 2025, the Polish authorities have made some changes to the rules under which local companies can transfer foreign employees. Specifically:
- the employee transfer can occur only if the foreign company owns directly or indirectly shares in the Polish business or if the two enterprises have common management board members;
- the parent company must carry out a business operation in its home country;
- the employee can be transferred only if he/she already works for the transferring company;
- the relocation will be based on a service contract.
Additional changes refer to obtaining confirmation compliance with the Polish employment law, minimum wage, and assigning a contact person for the local authorities.
Our immigration law firm in Poland can offer updated information on these changes.
Formal requirements to obtain an intra-company transfer visa for Poland
Before starting the employee relocation process to Poland, the transferred person must meet some formal requirements. These are:
- submit an application form with the Cases Handling Module (an online application portal for foreigners who plan to immigrate to Poland);
- file the receipt of the stamp duty payment.
Our immigration lawyers in Poland can guide hiring companies on the procedures for transferring foreign workers here under this type of visa.
Documents required for employee relocation to Poland
Following these formalities, the Polish company where the employee will be transferred must also file certain documents, as follows:
- proof of qualifications of the employee, used to demonstrate the need of the transfer;
- a confirmation of employment with the foreign parent company indicating the working time (one year for a management position and 6 months for a trainee one);
- confirmation that the employee will return to work in the original country after termination of the contract here;
- health insurance;
- proof of income;
- proof of a residential address in Poland.
Apart from these, it is also necessary to submit a contract between the parent company and the employee, which must contain:
- the period of the intra-company transfer;
- the address of Polish branch/subsidiary;
- the position of the transferred employees in the Polish company;
- details about the work conditions and wage of the foreign employee.
Our Polish immigration lawyers can also review the documents required to complete a correct employee relocation procedure.
Employee relocation to Poland under EU Directive 2014/66
In 2018, Poland adhered to EU Directive 2014/66 on intra-corporate transfers, entry, and residency requirements for citizens of foreign countries. However, the country already had a procedure for personnel relocation to Poland through the issuance of regular work permits.
Under the new directive, the following types of permits can be issued when transferring employees to Poland:
- the EU ICT (intra-company transfer) permit;
- the Intra-EU mobility permit;
- the intra-company transfer work permit.
It is worth noting that under a regular Polish work permit, managers, specialists, directors, and other skilled employees can be transferred to Poland.
Feel free to address any questions you have on employee relocation to our immigration lawyer in Poland.
The EU ICT permit in Poland
Employee relocation to Poland through the new ICT residence permit is open to foreign citizens who have been transferred to work in Poland as managers, specialists, or trainees with a university degree within the same group of enterprises. The foreign worker must have worked for the parent company for at least a year (6 months for trainees) and receive a payment that is at least 70% of the average wage in the respective region.
It is important to note that this type of permit is available for applicants outside the EU.
Managers and experts can receive combined work/residence permits for up to 3 years, while trainees can receive them for up to one year.
Our specialists are at your disposal with dedicated services related to personnel relocation to Poland.
We are also at your service if you want to immigrate to Poland for another purpose. If you are interested in starting a business in another country, such as Bahrain, we can put you in touch with our local partners.
Intra-company transfers to Poland under the EU mobility permit
The holder of an ICT permit obtained in Poland may work for a company belonging to the same group in another EU member state. The time limit is of up to 90 days in a 180-day period without obtaining a second work permit. However, other EU countries may require notification. There may be a need for a “mobile ICT permit” for that state for stays longer than 90 days.
A person possessing an EU ICT permit issued in another EU member state may work in Poland for up to 90 days with a company belonging to the same group without acquiring a second permit. However, a notification must be submitted to the relevant authorities. The application for personnel relocation to Poland must be filed by the local company.
We can also help you apply for Polish citizenship. You will first need to ensure you have obtained permanent residency, which will make you eligible for a passport for Poland. If you decide to relocate, you can get legal assistance from our immigration specialists who are at your disposal with tailored support.
Employee relocation to Poland enters the attention of our immigration law firm which can offer specific services to multinational companies with operations in various EU states. This is a video on this subject:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkwhPb0mD8A&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=bridgewestEU
There are several ways to obtain Polish permanent residence. Amon them, investment is often used by businesspersons who want to live and have their own companies here, thus ensuring a good quality of life. If you are interested in this option, do not hesitate to contact our local consultants.
Feel free to send us any other questions on Poland’s immigration rules. If you need employee relocation services in other countries, such as Netherlands or Malta, we can put you in touch with our local partners who offer company formation services.
Workforce in Poland
According to the latest statistics, in 2023:
- the workforce in Poland was made of more than 17.8 million employees;
- the employment rate was 72.4%, 2% higher than the EU average;
- 98.2% of the labor force was Polish, 1.6% came from non-EU/EEA states, and 0.1% from EU member countries.
If you are interested in employee relocation to Poland, do not hesitate to get in touch with our specialists. Our immigration lawyers in Poland can also advise on applying for regular work visas.
