Foreign-born population – 2025 | 2.5% of the population |
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Size: 0.9 million, 53% women | Evolution since 2015: +54% |
International Migration Outlook 2026
50th Edition
In 2025, 201 000 new immigrants obtained a residence permit longer than 12 months in Poland (excluding EU citizens), 11.5% more than in 2024. This figure comprises 71% labour migrants, 19% family members (including accompanying family) and 9.2% other migrants. Around 20 000 short-term permits were issued to international students and 176 000 to temporary and seasonal labour migrants (excluding intra-EU migration). In addition, 116 000 intra-EU postings were recorded in 2024, a 10% increase compared to 2023. These posted workers are generally on short-term contracts.
Ukraine, Belarus and Germany were the top three nationalities of newcomers in 2024.
In 2025, the number of first asylum applicants decreased by ‑23%, to reach around 11 000. The majority of applicants came from Ukraine (6 200), Belarus (2 700) and Russia (300). The largest increase since 2024 concerned nationals of Ukraine (100) and the largest decrease nationals of Belarus (‑900). Of the 7 590 decisions taken in 2025, 48% were positive.
Emigration of Polish citizens to OECD countries decreased by ‑18% in 2024, to 111 000. Approximately 38% of this group migrated to Germany, 20% to the Netherlands and 7% to Spain.
Poland’s Migration Strategy for 2025-2030, adopted in October 2024, prioritises national security through enhanced selectivity and tighter controls. Key legislative reforms entered into force on 1 June 2025, fundamentally reshaping the labour migration system, admission criteria and compliance frameworks.
A major structural shift is the abolition of the traditional labour market test. It has been replaced by an automated registry of “protected” positions, dynamically updated by regional authorities based on local labour shortages. To streamline admission for high-demand occupations, a new “fast-track” procedure was introduced to accelerate work permit issuance. Concurrently, employer compliance obligations have been strengthened. Employers must now verify the legal stay of foreign nationals, submit signed employment contracts electronically before work begins, and adhere to shortened reporting deadlines. Additionally, Poland transposed EU Directive 2021/1883, reforming the EU Blue Card framework to streamline the entry, long-term mobility and family reunification rules for highly skilled third-country professionals.
Visa compatibility rules have also been tightened, explicitly prohibiting work on visas issued by other Schengen states unless accompanied by a specific domestic work authorisation. Financial penalties for non-compliance have risen significantly, reaching up to PLN 50 000 for employers and PLN 5 000 for foreign nationals. To prevent corporate abuse and tighten regulations for employment agencies, work permits are automatically rejected if evidence suggests the worker will be deployed to an entity other than the one named in the application.
Administrative procedures are now digitised. Since June 2025, work permit applications must be submitted exclusively via the Praca.gov.pl portal, while paper applications are left unconsidered. Similarly, effective 27 April 2026, residence permit applications must be submitted exclusively through the government’s official Case Handling Module (MOS) platform. This digital process requires applicants to complete forms, apply electronic signatures and upload all supporting documents online, completely eliminating initial in-person visits and enabling real-time online tracking. Crucially, submitting a permit extension digitally within the system before the current one expires automatically grants the applicant continuous residence authorisation until a final decision is rendered.
Temporary protection for Ukrainian nationals remains integrated into regular protection laws. Beneficiaries with continuous “UKR” status can transition into the regular immigration system by applying for a dedicated three‑year temporary residence permit (CUKR). To monitor this transition, Statistics Poland launched an interactive dashboard in January 2026 to track socio‑economic and labour market trajectories, supported by expanded EU and EEA funding for social cohesion.
Finally, following the entry into application of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum on 12 June 2026, the Ministry of Interior and Administration announced that Poland would not accept relocated migrants or bear related financial costs, citing its prior reception of massive refugee numbers. To mitigate ongoing migratory pressure, temporary controls at the German and Lithuanian borders have been extended through 2026, alongside strict security measures and a temporary buffer zone at the Belarusian border. Lastly, enhanced admission protocols for non-EU students remain enforced, requiring formally recognised certificates and verified B2‑level language proficiency.
For further information: migrant.info.pl | www.emn.gov.pl | www.mos.cudzoziemcy.gov.pl/en
