Poland has become one of the most popular destinations for international students who want to combine education with part-time work. Until now, finding legal employment as a student was relatively simple — but new regulations coming into force in December 2025 significantly change the rules. The ability to work without a permit will no longer depend on being a student alone, but on strict legal criteria that most universities and students do not meet.
This article explains what the new rules mean, who can still work without a permit, why most students will now require one, and how Intraservis Job helps ensure full legal compliance and safe employment.
New rules for employing foreign students in Poland
From 1 December 2025, new regulations governing the employment of foreign nationals in Poland come into force, significantly changing how international students can work during their studies. Under the updated rules, the possibility to work without a work permit becomes strictly limited and depends primarily on the status of the university where the student is enrolled. These changes aim to standardise employment practices and reduce misuse of student status, but they also mean that most foreign students in Poland will no longer automatically qualify for work without a permit. Employers, agencies and students themselves must adjust to this new legal framework to ensure full compliance.
What changes on 1 December 2025 – new executive acts
According to the official information published by the Voivodeship Office in Poznań, from 1 December 2025 an international student may work in Poland without a work permit only if they study at a university included on a special list of institutions approved by the Minister of the Interior. This list is administrative in nature and applies solely to universities that have undergone a dedicated approval procedure confirming their eligibility to admit foreign students.
In practice, this means that even studying at a well-known, large public university does not automatically grant the right to work without a permit. The single determining factor is whether the university is officially approved by the Ministry. Since most Polish universities — public and private — are not included on this list, the majority of international students will be required to obtain a work permit.
Transitional rules until 30 June 2025
The new regulations introduce a six-month transitional period intended to ease the administrative burden on employers and recruitment agencies. Until 30 June 2025, international students can continue working under the previous rules, even if their university does not meet the new criteria. However, all employers who currently employ foreign students are obliged to apply for new work permits for these workers during the transitional period.
This requirement also applies to students newly hired before the deadline — they may begin working, but their employment must be legalised through a work permit application. After 30 June 2025, the possibility to work without a permit will be restricted exclusively to students who meet the strict conditions outlined in the new executive acts.
Who can work without a work permit under the new regulations?
The updated rules significantly narrow the group of international students who can legally work in Poland without a work permit. The exemption now applies only in strictly defined situations, and most students will not meet the required criteria. To work legally without a permit, both the university and the student must fulfil several conditions outlined in the new regulations.
Only students of universities approved by the Ministry of Interior
This is the key change introduced by the new legislation. Simply being enrolled as a student in Poland is no longer enough to qualify for work without a permit. The university must be officially approved by the Ministry of the Interior as an institution authorised to admit foreign students.
Most popular Polish universities — even large, reputable public institutions — are not included on this list, which means their students are not exempt from the work-permit requirement. As a result, the majority of international students in Poland will have to obtain a work permit to be legally employed.
Full-time studies and correct residence documents
Even if the university appears on the approved list, the student must still meet several personal conditions to work without a permit. The student must:
- be enrolled in full-time (day) studies,
- hold a valid student visa or temporary residence permit issued for the purpose of studying,
- possess a current and valid document confirming student status.
If any of these conditions is not met, the exemption does not apply and the student must obtain a work permit.
When a work permit is required – the reality for most students
Under the new regulations, the vast majority of international students studying in Poland will be required to obtain a work permit. Although many students assume that being enrolled at a Polish university automatically grants them the right to work, the new legal framework makes it clear that only a very limited group qualifies for the exemption. For most foreign students, legal employment will now require a formal work permit issued by the appropriate authorities.
H3: Why most foreign students will NOT qualify for work without a permit
According to information provided by regional offices, most universities in Poland do not meet the criteria for the exemption. This means that the overwhelming majority of international students — including those from Ukraine, Belarus, India, Georgia, Central Asia, Africa, and the Balkans — will not be eligible to work without a work permit.
Even large and prestigious institutions do not automatically grant this entitlement, because the exemption depends solely on the university’s presence on the official MSWiA approval list, not on its size or reputation. As a result, most students must follow the standard work-permit procedure to be legally employed.
H3: Why agencies and employers apply for new permits for all student workers
Employers and recruitment agencies have reviewed the documents presented by students and confirmed that, in most cases, these documents do not provide legal grounds to work without a permit under the new rules. Students typically cannot demonstrate that their university is approved by the Ministry, nor do their certificates confirm exemption eligibility.
For this reason, agencies such as Intraservis Job are required to apply for new work permits for all currently employed students to ensure full legal compliance after 1 December 2025. This process also guarantees that student workers remain protected and employed legally, without risk of administrative penalties for themselves or their employers.
Popular universities among foreigners — and why studying there does NOT mean you can work without a permit
Many international students choose Poland because of its well-known universities and wide range of English-language programs. However, under the new regulations, studying at a popular or reputable institution does not grant the right to work without a permit. The exemption depends solely on whether the university is officially approved by the Ministry of Interior — not on its popularity, ranking, or international student population. As a result, most students enrolled at Poland’s major universities will still require a work permit to be legally employed.
Most international students choose these universities, but they are NOT automatically approved by MSWiA
Below are examples of universities frequently chosen by foreign students in Poland. Their presence on this list does not mean they meet the Ministry of Interior’s requirements or grant work-permit exemption:
- University of Warsaw
- Warsaw University of Technology
- Jagiellonian University
- Kraków University of Economics
- University of Gdańsk
- Poznań University of Technology
- Wrocław University of Science and Technology
- Maria Curie-Skłodowska University
- Silesian University of Technology
- Vistula University
- Kozminski University
These institutions actively recruit international students and offer high-quality education, but their students almost always require a work permit. Admission of foreign students alone does not indicate compliance with the new regulations. Only universities formally approved by the Ministry qualify.
Why the official approval list is critical
The university’s status must come directly from an official decision issued by the Ministry of Interior. This approval is the only legal basis that allows a student to work in Poland without a work permit. No other document — including enrolment letters, student IDs, or general university accreditation — replaces the requirement.
If the university does not appear on the official approval list, the student must obtain a work permit, regardless of study program or residence status.
How Intraservis Job helps students work legally in Poland
Under the new regulations, navigating the legal requirements for student employment in Poland can be challenging — especially for international students unfamiliar with local laws and administrative procedures. Intraservis Job provides clear, structured support to ensure that every student employed through the agency works in full compliance with Polish legislation. By verifying university status, assessing eligibility, and managing formalities, the agency helps students avoid legal risks and start work with confidence.
Legal employment under new regulations
Intraservis Job carefully verifies whether a student’s university is approved by the Ministry of Interior and evaluates whether the student qualifies for work without a permit. If the exemption does not apply — which is now the case for most students — the agency initiates and manages the process of obtaining a work permit. This ensures that every student employed through Intraservis Job remains fully compliant with the new regulations after 1 December 2025.
By handling permit applications on behalf of the student, the agency eliminates uncertainty and prevents potential legal issues for both the worker and the employer.
H3: Clear information and ongoing support
Beyond formal requirements, Intraservis Job provides students with clear, step-by-step guidance to help them understand the new employment rules and their responsibilities. The agency assists with all necessary documentation, supports students in securing accommodation, and matches them with verified job offers suited to their schedule and residence status.
With dedicated coordinators available throughout the employment period, students receive reliable assistance whenever they have questions about contracts, working hours, or administrative procedures. This ongoing support ensures a safe, transparent, and stable work experience in Poland.
Summary
Working legally in Poland as an international student is becoming more complex under the new regulations taking effect in December 2025. The right to work without a permit is now limited to students enrolled at universities officially approved by the Ministry of Interior — a category that includes only a small number of institutions. As a result, most foreign students will be required to obtain a work permit, even if they study full-time and hold valid residence documents.
In this changing legal landscape, choosing a trusted recruitment partner is essential. Intraservis Job ensures full compliance with the new rules by verifying university status, managing work-permit applications, guiding students through administrative processes, and providing ongoing support throughout their employment. This guarantees that students can work safely, transparently, and without legal risk while studying in Poland.
If you are ready to find a legal job that fits your study schedule, explore our current opportunities.