After the start of the full-scale war, Poland became one of the main destinations for millions of Ukrainians fleeing the hostilities. Here, our citizens not only found shelter, but also gradually began to integrate into Polish society: renting housing, sending children to schools, opening businesses, and finding employment. In a few years, many Ukrainians managed not only to adapt, but also to become an active part of the Polish labor market. As of September 2024, more than one million foreigners worked in Poland, and more than 67% of them were Ukrainians. But together with a large number of officially employed people, the problem of “shadow” employment remains, which carries risks for both the employee and the employer. Checking that your work is indeed legal is important not only for peace of mind, but also for security, stability and the right to stay in the country.
What does legal employment in Poland mean?
The official registration of an employee is not only a signed contract, but also a set of legal actions that certify that you work in accordance with Polish labor legislation. Therefore, work is considered legal if:
– you have a valid work permit or a corresponding notification from your employer to the government (so-called oświęczna o powierzeniu pracy);
– you signed one of the types of contract: labor (umowa o practu) or civil law (umowa zlecenie or umowa o dzieło);
– your employer has officially registered you in the Polish social insurance system (ZUS);
– you receive your salary officially, with tax and social deductions.
These are all signs that you have basic social security, accumulated seniority, and are not in danger of being fined or deported for illegal employment.
How to check if you are really officially registered
The easiest way to find out about your status is to contact the Polish electronic social insurance platform PUE ZUS (Platforma Usług Elektronicznych Zakładu Ubezpieczeń Społecznych). It is in this system that the data on the employer’s contributions for each legal employee are stored.
To check your status:
- Register on the PUE ZUS platform. This can be done through Polish BankID, Profil Zaufany or by creating a separate login and password.
- After logging in, open the “Ubezpieczenia” section – it displays information about your insurance contributions, employer and periods of work.
- If there is no information, you are probably not registered and you work unofficially.
It is also important to have a copy of the signed contract on hand
This is no less important than verification through ZUS. All documents must be drawn up in Polish, signed by both parties, with a clear indication:
– dates of the start of work;
– list of duties;
– amount of salary;
– terms of contract termination.
If the employer does not provide you with a copy of the contract or avoids signing it, this is a serious cause for concern. In Poland, the employee has a legal right to receive his copy of the contract.
If it turns out that you are working illegally
First, you can try to resolve the situation without conflict: contact the employer, ask about the reasons. Sometimes the lack of registration can be the result of an error or delay.
If the problem persists, contact Państwowa Inspekcja Pracy (PIP), the Polish labor inspectorate. They check compliance with the law and can protect your rights. Ukrainians can also get free legal assistance from organizations such as Fundacja Ukraina or Helsińska Fundacja Praw Człowieka.
According to data from the Polish Labor Inspectorate, in 2023 more than 15,000 cases of illegal employment were detected. In 2024, this figure decreased slightly, but more than 7,200 cases of foreigners working without proper registration were recorded. Most often, illegal work is observed in the spheres of trade, construction, repair, and industry. This is not only a risk for the employee, but also harms the employer and the reputation of the country itself. Therefore, it is important to check documents, demand compliance with the law and not agree to work “in an envelope”.
Therefore, legal employment is not a bureaucracy, but a guarantee. It protects you in the event of an accident, provides access to medical care, helps you build up retirement savings, and gives you legal leverage if a conflict arises.
Ukrainians in Poland continue to work, build a new life, support their families and the economy of both countries. But this path must be safe. Therefore, do not leave it for later – check whether everything is in order now.
