How to employ a citizen of Ukraine?

In Poland, you can employ Ukrainian citizens who:

• legally crossed the territory of the Republic of Poland after February 24, 2022 and declare their willingness to stay in Poland,
• have a residence title on the basis of which they legally reside in the territory of the Republic of Poland.

What does it mean that a foreigner has a residence title? This means that he has received a document that entitles him to legally reside and work in our country. These may be, for example, work permits in Poland, permanent and temporary residence permits, visa-free travel, visa extended by the Act on assistance to citizens of Ukraine in connection with an armed conflict in the territory of this country and stay related to the armed conflict in Ukraine .

Attention! A citizen of Ukraine should be understood not only as a person who has a passport of this country, but also as a spouse of a citizen of Ukraine who does not have such a document but came to the territory of Poland in connection with hostilities. For example, a Moldovan citizen who came to Poland with his Ukrainian wife as a refugee may be employed on the same terms.

Hiring a Ukrainian is very similar to hiring a Pole. There is no need for information from the starosta for a foreigner or an invitation for a foreigner, because Ukrainians are currently not required to have visas for foreigners. They can only be employed on the same terms as Polish citizens. Offering wages below the national minimum is therefore illegal.

Ukrainians can be employed on the basis of an employment contract or a civil law contract. The contract must be made in writing and presented to the foreigner in a language he understands. You must also report it to social security and health insurance. Therefore, the employee is entitled to benefits in the event of illness or accident at work and maternity benefits.

How to employ a Ukrainian citizen in Poland? First, make sure that your stay in the territory of the Republic of Poland is fully legal. Then sign a contract with him (as in the case of a Polish citizen) and inform the poviat labor office about it no later than 14 days from the date of starting work.

If the Ukrainian citizen you want to employ entered Poland in connection with hostilities, his work can only be legalized in the form of a job notification. However, if such a person resides legally in Poland under different conditions, you can employ him or her on the basis of both a notification and a declaration of entrusting work to a foreigner or a work permit for a Ukrainian.

When you submit an application to the district labor office in Poland to register the employment of a Ukrainian citizen, you should include the following elements:

1. Information about the employer:
• Company name or name and surname (in the case of natural persons).
• Address of the registered office or place of residence.
• Phone number or business email address.
• NIP and REGON number (for business entities) or PESEL number (for natural persons).
• Registration number of the employment agency, if applicable.
• PKD symbol and description of activities related to the work permit application.
2. Personal data of the foreigner:
• Name(s) and surname.
• Date of birth.
• Gender.
• Citizenship.
• Type, number and series of the travel document or other document confirming identity.
• PESEL number, if assigned.
3. Work details:
• Type of contract between the employer and the citizen of Ukraine.
• Position or type of work performed.
• Workplace.
• Salary (monthly or hourly).
• Working time (number of hours per week/month).
• Number of people employed under employment contracts and civil law contracts as of February 23, 2022.

If you want to legally find a job in Poland, find out what the legalization of stay and work in Poland looks like in your case. If you are eligible to legally take up employment, you can look for it through an employment agency or directly with the employer. Before signing the contract, make sure that it has been concluded legally. You also have the right to request that you be provided with a translation into a language you understand. If you have any doubts, please contact us. Comprehensive service for foreigners is our specialty.

How to employ a Ukrainian on a mandate contract or employment contract? You can sign the contract if the foreigner has a residence permit or crossed the border as a result of hostilities. The employment process is simplified and similar to the employment of Polish citizens. Ukrainians may be employed on the basis of an employment contract or a civil law contract. When reporting employment at the employment office, you must provide details of the employer, employee and contract details. Ukrainians looking for a job in Poland should make sure that they meet the conditions for legally taking up work. If you have any doubts, we are happy to advise you. We also deal with matters such as extending work and residence permits in Poland and help you obtain Polish citizenship.