End of visa-free employment for citizens of Georgia, Colombia and Venezuela in Poland

As of 22 August 2026, the rules governing employment in Poland for citizens of Georgia, Colombia and Venezuela have changed. Previously, individuals holding a work permit or a declaration on entrusting work to a foreign national could also work while staying in Poland under the visa-free regime. Since 22 August, this option has no longer been available. 

In practice, this means additional formalities for both foreign nationals and employers planning to hire them. An appropriate visa or another residence title permitting employment must now be obtained, which may significantly extend the time required before work can begin. 

What changed on 22 August 2026? 

The changes were introduced by the Regulation of the Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy of 31 July 2026 on the list of countries whose citizens holding a work permit are not entitled to work while staying in Poland under the visa-free regime.

The new rules apply to citizens of: 

• Georgia, 
• Colombia, 
• Venezuela. 

As of 22 August 2026, the right to stay in Poland under the visa-free regime is no longer sufficient for citizens of these countries to work legally. Even if a foreign national holds a work permit or other documents legalising their employment, they must also have an appropriate residence basis that permits them to work, in particular a visa. 

What were the rules before 22 August 2026? 

Before the new regulations entered into force, citizens of countries covered by the visa-free regime could enter Poland without a visa and, after obtaining the appropriate documents legalising their employment, take up work. 

For many employers, this provided a relatively quick way to hire foreign workers. The foreign national did not have to wait for a visa to be issued, and employment could begin once the requirements for legalising their work had been met.

What does the change mean for employers in Poland? 

Before allowing a citizen of Georgia, Colombia or Venezuela to start work, an employer should now verify not only the document authorising the individual to work, but also the legal basis for their stay in Poland. 

In practice, this means checking whether the foreign national holds a visa or another residence document that permits them to work in Poland. 

Employers should also take into account that the recruitment and employment process for these individuals may take longer. This is particularly relevant where a candidate is outside Poland and will first need to apply for a visa permitting them to take up employment.

What transitional rules apply? 

The new regulations do not remove the right to work from individuals who started employment before the regulation entered into force. 

Under the transitional provisions, citizens of Georgia, Colombia and Venezuela who legally started working while staying in Poland under the visa-free regime before 22 August 2026 may continue their employment under the previous rules until the end of their lawful visa-free stay. 

This means that the change does not apply retroactively to individuals who were already working in accordance with the rules previously in force. 

Is Poland the only country applying such restrictions? 

The restrictions introduced in Poland form part of a broader trend observed across European countries. Visa requirements for citizens of Georgia, Colombia or Venezuela taking up short-term employment already apply in many countries within the European Economic Area, including Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, Spain and Portugal, as well as in Switzerland. 

Source: The article was created in collaboration with our cooperation partner – sdzlegal Schindhelm Law Office