Work Permit vs. Employer Statement in Poland — Which Document Do You Need?
If you're a non-EU citizen planning to work legally in Poland, you need the right authorization document. The two most common are the work permit (zezwolenie na pracę) and the employer's statement of intent to employ (oświadczenie o powierzeniu wykonywania pracy). Despite their similar names, they differ fundamentally — in procedure, waiting time, and who is eligible to use them.
What is an Employer's Statement (oświadczenie)?
This is a simplified, faster track available exclusively to citizens of Ukraine, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Armenia, and Russia. The employer registers the statement at the local district labor office (Powiatowy Urząd Pracy, PUP) — with no labor market test and no lengthy wait.
Key parameters of the statement
- Duration: up to 24 months (with one employer; renewable thereafter)
- Who applies: the employer (not the worker)
- Where: PUP serving the employer's registered address
- Processing time: 1–7 business days
- Cost: 100 PLN (PUP fee)
- Obligation: employer must register the statement before the worker starts
Important: the statement is tied to a specific employer and a specific position. Changing employer or role requires a new statement.
What is a Work Permit (zezwolenie na pracę)?
A work permit is the standard authorization document for non-EU nationals who either don't qualify for the simplified statement procedure or plan to work in Poland for longer. For temp workers, the most relevant type is the single (unified) permit — combining residence and work authorization in one procedure at the voivodeship office (Urząd Wojewódzki).
Comparison: Statement vs. Permit
| Criterion | Statement (oświadczenie) | Permit / Single Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Who can use it | Citizens of UA/BY/GE/MD/AM/RU | All non-EU nationals |
| Who files | Employer | Employer (standard) or worker (single) |
| Processing time | 1–7 days | 1–6 months |
| Max validity | 24 months | Up to 3 years |
| Labor market test | No | Yes (with exceptions) |
| Cost to employer | 100 PLN | 50–100 PLN + possible legal fees |
Can I work through a temp agency on an employer statement?
Yes — a temporary staffing agency like Nexflow is your legal employer and files the statement or work permit on your behalf. As a temporary worker you are formally employed by the agency and assigned to a client company. With a statement: the agency's name is on the document — switching between client sites within the agency doesn't require a new statement, but switching agencies does.
Consequences of working without authorization
- Worker: fine up to 5,000 PLN + deportation and entry ban
- Employer: fine up to 30,000 PLN, loss of access to EU subsidies
How Nexflow helps
As a licensed temporary staffing agency, Nexflow handles all the paperwork — we register employer statements or apply for permits on your behalf. You provide the documents (passport, visa, or Ukrainian protection certificate), and our HR team does the rest. Reach out and we'll check which document applies to your situation and get everything ready before your first day on the job.