Declaration of Entrusting Work in Poland 2026: Full Guide
Oświadczenie in 2026: who can use it (Armenia, Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine), the 400 zł fee, 24-month limit and why Georgians lost access in December 2025.
The declaration of entrusting work to a foreigner (oświadczenie o powierzeniu wykonywania pracy cudzoziemcowi) is the fastest legal way to work in Poland – but only for citizens of Armenia, Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine. It allows up to 24 months of work, costs 400 zł (paid by the employer) and is registered online through praca.gov.pl.
Key takeaways
- Eligible countries: Armenia, Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine.
- Georgia was removed on 1 December 2025 – Georgians now need a work permit.
- Maximum 24 months of work; work must start within 6 months of submission.
- Fee: 400 zł since 1 December 2025.
- Registered within 7 working days (up to 30 days if the office needs to clarify something).
- Not for seasonal work, management board members or posted workers.
Who can work on a declaration?
| Citizenship | Declaration allowed in 2026? | What to use instead |
|---|---|---|
| Armenia | Yes | – |
| Belarus | Yes | – |
| Moldova | Yes | – |
| Ukraine (without temporary protection) | Yes | – |
| Ukraine (with temporary protection / PESEL UKR) | No | Notification (powiadomienie) |
| Georgia | No (since 1.12.2025) | Work permit |
| Other countries (India, Philippines, Nepal, etc.) | No | Work permit |
If you are Georgian, read our dedicated article: Georgians working in Poland after 1 December 2025.
What the declaration allows
- Work for the employer named in the declaration, in the position and on the conditions described there.
- Up to 24 months in total.
- A start date no later than 6 months after the declaration was submitted.
The declaration cannot be used for:
- seasonal work (agriculture, horticulture etc. – this needs a seasonal work permit),
- members of a company’s management board or holders of commercial power of attorney (prokura),
- posting workers from a foreign company.
Step-by-step procedure
- Employer submits the declaration online on praca.gov.pl. Paper applications are left unprocessed.
- Employer pays the 400 zł fee. The fee is the employer’s cost – you should not be asked to pay it.
- Labour office (PUP) registers the declaration in the register within 7 working days, or up to 30 days if an explanatory procedure is needed.
- You get a copy and use it to apply for a work visa, or you enter Poland visa-free with a biometric passport (if your country has visa-free travel).
- Before you start, the employer signs a written contract with you and sends a copy of it through praca.gov.pl.
- The employer reports your start of work within 7 days, or reports within 14 days that you did not start.
The government may set an annual limit on the number of declarations, so it is wise not to wait until the last moment.
Important: visa-free travel is not a work permit
Citizens of Moldova and Ukraine can enter Schengen without a visa with a biometric passport and stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Visa-free entry alone does not give you the right to work. You can work only if the employer has a registered declaration (or work permit), and only while your stay is legal. When your legal stay ends, your right to work ends too.
Also remember: visas issued for tourism (01), visits (02) and visas issued by another Schengen country do not allow work on a declaration.
After the declaration: moving to a work permit
If you have worked for at least 3 months on an employment contract (umowa o pracę) on the basis of a declaration, the employer can apply – before the declaration expires – for a work permit for the same position. Your work remains legal until the decision is issued. This is the usual way to continue working after the 24 months.
For a longer stay you can also consider a temporary residence and work permit (residence card).
Employer obligations you should know
| Obligation | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Written contract (with translation for you) | Before you start work |
| Copy of the contract sent via praca.gov.pl | Before you start work |
| Report that you started work | 7 days |
| Report that you did not start work | 14 days |
| Minimum pay in 2026 | 4,806 zł gross / month or 31.40 zł / hour |
Common mistakes
- Starting work before the contract is signed. This is illegal work, even if the declaration is registered.
- Working for a different employer than the one named in the declaration.
- Paying an “agent” for a declaration. The fee is paid to the state by the employer – nobody should sell you a declaration. Learn how to spot fraud in our article on avoiding job scams in Poland.
- Relying on a Schengen visa from another country – it does not allow work in Poland.
Official sources: praca.gov.pl and the government helpline Zielona Linia. You can also see our overview on the legalization page.
Find a legal employer
If you are from Armenia, Belarus, Moldova or Ukraine and want to work legally in Poland, register for free in JobPartner. Agencies that use the platform can see your profile and contact you. We do not sell declarations and we never charge candidates.
FAQ
Which countries can use the declaration of entrusting work in 2026?
Only citizens of Armenia, Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine. Georgia was removed from the list on 1 December 2025, so Georgian citizens now need a work permit.
How long can I work on an oświadczenie?
Up to 24 months. You must start working no later than 6 months after the declaration was submitted.
How much does the declaration cost?
Since 1 December 2025 the fee is 400 zł (it used to be 100 zł). The employer submits and pays for it through praca.gov.pl.
Can Ukrainians with temporary protection work on a declaration?
No. Ukrainian citizens with temporary protection (PESEL UKR status) work on the basis of a free notification, not a declaration or a work permit.
This article is for information purposes only and is not legal advice. Laws change – check the current rules on gov.pl or ask our recruiter.