Do you need a visa?
No. An EU citizen (or a citizen of the EEA or Switzerland) can work in Poland on the same terms as a Polish citizen.
- If you stay more than 3 months, you must register your residence at the voivode's office (provincial government), in person, by the day after the 3 months end. It is free (migrant.info.pl).
- This is different from registering your address at the municipality.
Documents and where to get them
In your country, before you leave
- ID card or passport, valid for the whole move.
- European Health Insurance Card, from your national health insurance: it covers necessary care in the first weeks, until you are insured in the new country.
- Birth certificate (and marriage certificate, if married). Between EU countries, many certificates need no apostille and can come with a multilingual form that avoids translation (Regulation (EU) 2016/1191).
- Criminal record certificate from your country of nationality and, if different, from where you lived recently: some employers ask for it. Request it close to the date it will be used.
- Degree, transcript and references from previous jobs, digitally.
In Poland
- PESEL (identification number): requested at the municipality; many employers, banks and health services ask for it.
- Lease: for the residence registration and the PESEL.
- Public health insurance (NFZ): the employer registers you with social security (ZUS).
Step by step
Before you leave
- Sign the contract and confirm in writing the gross annual salary (in złoty or euros) and the contract type: employment contract (umowa o pracę) or B2B, which changes the deductions. The plan estimates the net in euros for an employment contract.
- Find housing.
- In your country, tell the authorities you are moving: update your registered address and your tax residence. In the year you leave, tax may be due for the part of the year you were still resident.
First week
- Apply for your PESEL at the municipality.
- Open a bank account.
First month
- Register your residence at the voivode's office before 3 months have passed.
- Check the contributions (ZUS) and tax on your payslip.