First Steps After Arriving in Poland: Checklist for Workers

After arriving in Poland for work, do things in this order: sign your written contract and confirm your legal work status, then get a PESEL number, register your address if required, buy a Polish SIM card, open a bank account and make sure you are insured in ZUS and NFZ. Keep copies of all documents from day one.

Key takeaways

No contract, no work – the contract must be signed before your first day.
Your employer must have a work permit, declaration or notification for you.
PESEL makes taxes, banking, health care and online services easier.
A Polish SIM card and bank account are needed for salary and daily life.
Check that your employer has registered you for ZUS and NFZ.
Track the end date of your visa or visa-free stay.

Checklist: your first two weeks

Step	Where	What you need
1. Sign the contract	Employer / agency	Passport, translated contract
2. Confirm legal work basis	Employer	Copy of permit, declaration or notification
3. Medical check and safety training	Employer’s clinic, workplace	Referral from employer
4. Address registration (if required)	Municipal office (urząd gminy/miasta)	Passport, address details
5. PESEL number	Municipal office	Passport, reason for application
6. SIM card	Mobile operator shop, kiosk	Passport for registration
7. Bank account	Bank branch or app	Passport, sometimes PESEL/contract
8. ZUS / NFZ insurance	Employer registers you	Confirmation from employer

1. Contract before your first day

Polish law says your employer must give you a written contract before you start work, with a translation into a language you understand. The employer must also send a copy to the office via praca.gov.pl before you begin. Read every page and ask questions about:

gross vs net pay,
working hours and overtime,
deductions for housing or transport.

Learn about the contract types in employment contracts in Poland.

2. Confirm your legal work status

Depending on your citizenship, you need:

a work permit – most non-EU citizens, including Georgians since 1 December 2025,
a declaration (oświadczenie) – only citizens of Armenia, Belarus, Moldova and Ukraine,
a notification (powiadomienie) – Ukrainians with PESEL UKR status.

Ask for a copy and keep it with your passport. More: work permit in Poland 2026.

3. Medical check-up and safety training

Before starting, most employers send you for an occupational medical check-up (badania lekarskie) and give you health and safety training (szkolenie BHP). These are organised and paid by the employer.

4. Address registration (zameldowanie)

If you stay at one address for a longer period, you are generally required to register your stay at the municipal office. Ask the landlord or agency for the documents you need. Registration also makes it easier to get a PESEL number.

5. PESEL number

PESEL is an 11-digit ID number used by employers, the tax office, doctors and banks. Apply at the municipal office. Full guide: PESEL number for foreigners.

6. SIM card

Prepaid SIM cards are sold in operator shops, kiosks and supermarkets. In Poland, prepaid cards must be registered with your passport – the shop can do it for you. A Polish number is important because employers, banks and offices send text messages with codes.

7. Bank account

Most employers pay salaries by bank transfer. Many Polish banks open accounts for foreigners with a passport and proof of legal stay; some also ask for a PESEL or employment contract. Compare fees and check if the app is available in English.

8. Health insurance (ZUS and NFZ)

When you work on an employment contract or (in most cases) a mandate contract, your employer registers you with ZUS and health contributions are paid. This gives you access to public health care through NFZ. Then:

choose a family doctor (lekarz rodzinny) at a local clinic (przychodnia),
keep the emergency number 112 in your phone.

9. Keep your documents safe

Keep your passport yourself – an employer may not hold it.
Save photos of your passport, visa, permit, contract and PESEL confirmation.
Note the end date of your stay. At the border, the EU’s EES system records your entries and exits, so overstays are easy to detect.
If you plan to stay longer, apply for a residence card on time.

10. Plan your budget

Your first salary may come only after a month. Bring enough money for the first weeks: food, transport, a SIM card and possibly a housing deposit. Read cost of living in Poland 2026 for estimated costs.

Useful official sources

praca.gov.pl – work legalisation
mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl – residence applications
Zielona Linia – government helpline

Still looking for a job?

Register for free in JobPartner to connect with agencies that hire foreigners legally – many of them help new workers with PESEL, accommodation and paperwork. Read our legalization overview to understand your options.

FAQ

What should I do first after arriving in Poland for work?

Sign your written contract before starting work, make sure your employer has registered your legal work (permit, declaration or notification), then get a PESEL number, a Polish SIM card and a bank account.

Do I need to register my address in Poland?

If you stay at one address for a longer period, you are generally required to register your stay (zameldowanie) at the municipal office. Registration also makes getting a PESEL easier.

How do I get health insurance in Poland?

When your employer registers you with ZUS, health contributions are paid from your salary and you are insured in the public system (NFZ). Ask for confirmation of your registration.

Can I open a bank account in Poland with only a passport?

Many banks open accounts for foreigners with a passport and proof of legal stay, sometimes also asking for a PESEL or employment contract. Requirements differ by bank.

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.