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Documents and paperworkWhich Documents You Need to Work in Europe When Hired Through Poland: A General Outline
Updated 2026-09-29
If you're taking a job in Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands or France through a Polish employer, you should have several documents on hand — not only the ones needed to enter Poland, but also the ones that confirm the posting abroad itself is legal. Let's go through them in order.
1. A basis for legal stay in Poland
First of all, you need a document confirming your right to stay and work in Poland. Depending on citizenship and circumstances, this can be:
- a Polish work visa (a national visa with the right to work);
- a residence card (karta pobytu) — if you don't yet hold a residence permit; more in the article “Getting a Residence Card Based on an Employment Contract”;
- an EU citizen's passport — if you are a citizen of an EU country, no separate permit is needed;
- EU permanent residence;
- PESEL UKR — temporary protection status for Ukrainian citizens, which gives the right to legal stay and work in Poland.
The employer usually states in the job listing which of these apply. The general framework for legalising stay and the right to work in Poland is maintained by zielonalinia.gov.pl, the official public employment services portal.
2. Employment contract
A contract with the Polish employer is the basis of the whole arrangement. It should be in writing and state the role, pay, schedule and working conditions. It is this contract that is used to obtain the A1 certificate and, if needed, to apply for a residence card.
3. A1 certificate
This is a social-security document confirming that you are insured in Poland even while temporarily working in another EU country. The employer arranges it through ZUS before the posting begins. More on this document and how to check it in the article “What Is an A1 Certificate”.
4. Health insurance
Working under an employment contract in Poland, you are generally covered by the Polish public health system (NFZ). For travel and work in another EU country, a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC/EKUZ) is useful — it confirms your right to necessary medical care during a temporary stay in another EU country. How to get one is explained on the NFZ website.
Where to find current rules
Requirements for legalising stay and work in Poland and in the countries of posting change from time to time. Check zielonalinia.gov.pl and the websites of government authorities, and consult a lawyer for complex cases.
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