The Polish labor market is undergoing a massive transformation. While Ukrainians formed the backbone of the workforce just a few years ago, employers are now forced to seek new solutions to fill staffing gaps. According to data from WNP.pl, there is a gradual decline in the number of Ukrainian citizens working at Polish enterprises. Some are returning home, while others are relocating to Western European countries in search of higher wages and more comfortable living conditions.

New Players in the Labor Market

To compensate for the outflow of labor, Polish companies have begun actively searching for specialists outside of Europe. Michal Solecki, General Director of Worksol Group, confirmed that employers are already focusing on citizens of Asian and South American countries. According to him, the market demonstrates high adaptability and is successfully filling vacancies with new labor migrants.

Despite these changes, Ukrainians remain the largest group of foreigners in Poland. As of September 2024, approximately 779,000 Ukrainian citizens were officially employed. However, their share of the total workforce is steadily declining.

Migration Statistics and Geography

The total number of foreign workers in Poland has reached record levels — exceeding 1.17 million people. This is almost six times higher than a decade ago. The structure of this group is undergoing a noticeable shift:

  • Currently, approximately 30,000 citizens of Colombia and the Philippines are working in Poland.
  • There is a growing influx of specialists from Nepal and India.
  • In the first half of 2024 alone, Polish authorities issued more than 173,000 work permits, the majority of which were granted to citizens of non-EU countries.

Which Professions are in Demand?

The demand for labor in Poland remains consistently high in certain sectors. The greatest need persists in the following areas:

  • Warehouse workers and logistics centers.
  • Production plant personnel.
  • Equipment operators.
  • Employees for manual labor.

Experts note that for those Ukrainians who left Poland for work in Western Europe, returning may become difficult. The vacancies they previously held may already be filled by citizens of other states, which will change the conditions of competition in the labor market.

Legislative Changes

Alongside changes in migration flows, Poland is tightening the rules of residence for foreigners. Starting in March 2026, new conditions regarding the PESEL UKR status, employment, access to healthcare, and the issuance of the CUKR residence card for a three-year term will come into force. Additionally, certain categories of Ukrainians will need to undergo document verification to maintain their right to legal residence in the country.