Georgians Working in Poland 2026: Work Permit After Changes
Since 1 December 2025 Georgians cannot work in Poland on an oświadczenie. Learn what replaced it, why visa-free entry is not a work right, and what to do.
Since 1 December 2025, citizens of Georgia can no longer work in Poland on a declaration (oświadczenie o powierzeniu wykonywania pracy). A government regulation of 21 November 2025 removed Georgia from the list. Georgians now need a work permit – usually type A, or a seasonal permit – and visa-free entry alone never gives the right to work.
Key takeaways
- Declaration countries in 2026: Armenia, Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine – Georgia is not on the list.
- Georgian workers need a work permit (type A or seasonal type S) applied for by the employer on praca.gov.pl.
- Visa-free travel ≠ right to work. You may stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period, but you can work only with a permit.
- Work must end when your legal stay ends.
- Check the current EU rules on visa-free travel for Georgian passports before you travel.
What changed on 1 December 2025?
| Before 1.12.2025 | From 1.12.2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Declaration (oświadczenie) | Available for Georgians | Not available |
| Work permit type A | Available | Available – main option |
| Seasonal work permit | Available | Available |
| Fee for the employer | Old rates | 200 / 400 zł (permit), 100 zł (seasonal) |
The declaration was faster and cheaper, so many Georgians used it. Now the employer has to apply for a regular permit. The good news: since 1 June 2025 there is no labour market test, so the procedure is simpler than in the past.
Visa-free travel is not a right to work
Georgian citizens with a biometric passport can enter the Schengen area without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This is for short stays – tourism, family visits, business meetings.
To work, you need both:
- a legal stay (visa-free stay, visa or residence card), and
- a work permit obtained by your employer.
If your 90 days end, your right to work ends too, even if your permit is still valid. For longer work, consider a national work visa or a temporary residence and work permit.
The EU has been reviewing visa-free travel for Georgia, including for some passport types. Rules may change, so check the current situation on gov.pl before you book a trip.
How to get a work permit as a Georgian citizen
- Find an employer or registered agency in Poland. Check agencies in the KRAZ register.
- The employer applies online on praca.gov.pl. Paper applications are left unprocessed.
- The employer pays the fee: 200 zł (up to 3 months), 400 zł (over 3 months) or 100 zł (seasonal).
- You send a copy of your passport (all used pages).
- The permit is issued – by the voivode for type A, or the local labour office (PUP) for seasonal work.
- Enter Poland legally – visa-free with a biometric passport (for short work) or with a D work visa.
- Sign a written contract before starting work; the employer sends a copy through praca.gov.pl.
More details in our full work permit guide.
Seasonal work
Seasonal work in agriculture, gardening, short-term accommodation or seasonal food service is allowed for up to 9 months per calendar year, on a seasonal permit. An entry can cover up to 3 consecutive years, which is convenient if you come back every season.
If you worked on a declaration before December 2025
If you already had a registered declaration, ask your employer to confirm how it is treated under the new rules. If you worked at least 3 months on an employment contract based on a declaration, the employer may have been able to apply for a work permit for the same position before the declaration ended. When in doubt, call the government helpline Zielona Linia or ask your local PUP.
Your rights as a worker
- Written contract before the first day of work, with a translation.
- Pay at least 4,806 zł gross per month or 31.40 zł per hour in 2026 – read more about the minimum wage in Poland.
- Same pay as Polish workers in a comparable position.
- Right to join a trade union.
Avoid “declaration sellers”
Since Georgians cannot get declarations any more, anyone offering you an oświadczenie for money is not acting legally. Also be careful with offers to “work first and do papers later”. Read how to avoid job scams in Poland.
Find a legal job in Poland
Register for free in JobPartner and let registered agencies see your profile. You can also read our legalization overview. We do not charge candidates and do not promise permits – the decision always belongs to the Polish authorities.
FAQ
Can Georgians still work in Poland on a declaration (oświadczenie)?
No. Georgia was removed from the list of countries covered by the declaration on 1 December 2025. Georgian citizens now need a work permit, usually type A.
Can I work in Poland with visa-free entry from Georgia?
Visa-free entry with a biometric passport allows a stay of up to 90 days in any 180-day period, but it does not give the right to work. You need a work permit, and your work ends when your legal stay ends.
How much does a work permit cost for a Georgian worker?
The employer pays 200 zł for work up to 3 months or 400 zł for longer work (seasonal permit: 100 zł). The fees have applied since 1 December 2025.
What about Georgians who already worked on a declaration?
Declarations registered under the old rules are generally assessed under those rules, but check the details with your local labour office (PUP) or the Zielona Linia helpline.
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.