Reasons and directions of immigration to Poland?

A growing economy, a relatively stable job market, and a favorable geographic location are leading more and more people to choose Poland as a place to live and work. Reasons for immigration to Poland are often related to higher wages compared to migrants' countries of origin and greater economic security. Many young people come to Poland to continue their education – these include not only our eastern neighbors but also foreigners from Africa and Asia. Many of them, after completing their studies, do not return to their homeland but settle permanently in Poland.

Emigration for political reasons has increased. This was primarily influenced by the outbreak of war in Ukraine and the influx of refugees who settled in our country, often taking up paid work and sending their children to Polish educational institutions. A smaller but still significant group consists of members of the Belarusian opposition, who left their country out of fear of repression.

Emigration for social reasons should also not be forgotten. Polish history has fostered migration. Exile, political exile, and border shifts influenced the change of residence – without changing residence, entire families became residents of a foreign country due to political decisions. Today, the descendants of these individuals eagerly visit the country of their ancestors (short-term migration) and sometimes even decide to stay longer (long-term migration).

How many immigrants are there in Poland? According to ZUS data, at the end of November 2025, 1.295 million foreigners were insured in Poland . In July 2025, foreigners constituted 6.7% of all people employed in Poland. However, it should be emphasized that these data only cover people residing in Poland legally. Therefore, it is difficult to estimate precisely how many immigrants there are in Poland.

Where do immigrants in Poland come from? According to ZUS data, Ukrainians are the largest immigrant group – as many as 741,000. Eighty percent of insured Ukrainians are economically active, constituting approximately 5% of the total working population in Poland. Belarusians are second, and Indians are third. Georgians still occupy fourth place, but their number has been gradually declining compared to previous years. Since economic reasons for immigration to Poland are the most common, foreigners prefer to settle in large cities , where it is easiest to find employment. The largest number of immigrants resides in the Mazowieckie Voivodeship, while the smallest number resides in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship.

A significant number of immigrants in Poland are highly qualified specialists and management staff . This group includes IT workers, university lecturers, and managers seconded to work in Polish branches of foreign companies. However, most foreigners take on jobs that require no education and are usually low-paid. They typically find employment in construction, agriculture, the restaurant industry, the hotel industry, or in elderly care. By July 2025, 428,000 people worked exclusively on contracts of mandate and related contracts, and this trend is growing year by year.

The law regarding the legalization of residence in Poland changes frequently. Different rules apply to citizens of countries such as Ukraine and Belarus, different ones apply to immigrants from the EU, and still others apply to visitors from further afield. Therefore, comprehensive services for foreigners are becoming increasingly popular . The Citizenship Office will advise on the legalization path to choose , help prepare documents, and, if necessary, provide a power of attorney to represent the foreigner . We also assist foreigners in obtaining Polish citizenship and work with our clients to restore Polish citizenship (this is an unusual procedure that applies to individuals who lost Polish citizenship before January 1, 1999, under certain circumstances).

Poland has become a major migration destination in Central and Eastern Europe, attracting foreigners with its stable economic situation, access to work, and simplified employment procedures for some citizens of neighboring countries. The influx of immigrants stems from economic, political, and family reasons, and migrants are increasingly influencing the labor market and the development of local communities. Where do immigrants in Poland come from? The largest groups are citizens of Ukraine, Belarus, and Asian countries, who find employment in both specialized professions and sectors requiring manual labor. As the number of foreigners grows, efficient legalization of a foreigner's stay and professional support with formalities related to work and settlement in Poland are becoming increasingly important.