Poland Lists 329 Professions for Foreign Workers to Tackle Labor Shortage.

Poland's Drive to Attract Foreign Labor

According to TSN.ua: To address a severe labor shortage, the Polish government has drafted a new regulation designed to make it easier for foreign nationals to work in the country. The Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy (MRPiPS) has proposed a list of 329 occupations, organized into 37 broad categories, in response to a major imbalance between job seekers and available positions. This move reflects a broader trend in Central Europe, where strong economic growth has outpaced the domestic workforce.

Official figures from the first half of 2025 highlight the scale of the problem: while there were 33,000 registered unemployed individuals, there were 29,000 open job vacancies. The demand for foreign labor is already significant, with over 100,000 permits issued to legalize foreign workers. By the end of December 2025, nearly 1.29 million foreigners were working legally in Poland, an increase of 96,000 from the previous year.

Occupations Covered by the New Regulation

The proposed regulation includes a wide range of professions, such as:

• Engineers (including technologists, mechanics, electricians, and construction engineers)
• Healthcare professionals, such as doctors at various specialization stages, nurses, and midwives
• Education specialists, including foreign language teachers and teaching assistants
• IT sector workers like programmers, software developers, and database administrators
• Technical specialists, such as power equipment operators, roofers, plumbers, and pipefitters
• Transport sector drivers for buses and trams

The draft regulation is set to take effect 14 days after its publication in the Journal of Laws, opening new opportunities for foreign workers seeking employment in Poland. This initiative represents a strategic step by the government to mitigate the labor deficit, support economic development, and maintain stability. By filling vacancies that remain open due to a lack of local specialists, foreign workers are expected to have a positive impact on the Polish labor market.