Can International Students Work in Poland While Studying?

The short answer: often yes, if several conditions line up

Many international students in Poland can work without a separate work permit, but not automatically and not in every situation. Under the rules in force since 1 December 2025, the exemption covers full-time students at a Polish institution that is approved by the Minister of the Interior for admitting foreign students, or that is exempt from that approval. You must also be staying in Poland legally.

If any of these conditions is missing, for example because you study part-time or your institution does not have the required status, an employer generally needs to obtain work authorisation for you before you start. This guide explains the rules as of 18 October 2026. For a definite answer in your own case, ask the government's Zielona Linia helpline or a qualified adviser.

Four things that are not the same

Students often mix up the documents that let them enter Poland, the documents that let them stay, their status at the university and their right to work. Each is decided by a different authority or rule, and having one does not automatically give you the others.

Keeping them separate also helps you notice risks early. If you change from full-time to part-time study, for example, your residence permit and your work exemption can both be affected, even though nothing changes on your residence card.

The full-time student exemption and the university's status

A regulation of the Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy of 20 November 2025, issued under the Act of 20 March 2025 on entrusting work to foreigners, lists cases in which a foreigner may work without a work permit. According to Zielona Linia, full-time students can work without a work permit or a declaration of entrusting work only where their institution has been approved by the Minister of the Interior for admitting foreigners, or is exempt from that approval.

A transitional rule for students at some institutions without approval ended on 30 June 2026. If you are not sure about your institution, ask its international office whether it is approved or exempt, and check the Ministry of the Interior's published list of approved institutions. Employers now check this too, because employing someone without the right authorisation exposes them to penalties.

Students who are not covered by the exemption

The exemption applies only to full-time (stacjonarne) students. Zielona Linia states clearly that it does not cover part-time students, including evening, weekend and external study modes. Students at an institution that is neither approved nor exempt are also outside it, as are people whose student status has ended.

Being outside the exemption does not always mean you cannot work, but it means the employer must obtain the appropriate authorisation first, and your residence status must allow work. This takes time and paperwork on the employer's side, so discuss it before accepting a job offer.

Internships, graduation and changes in status

Work performed as a mandatory internship that is part of your study programme is also exempt from the work permit requirement, according to Zielona Linia. Keep the university documents that show the internship is required by your programme.

Graduation changes the picture. Some graduates of Polish universities can work without a work permit under specific conditions, but a residence permit for studies is tied to your studies, so after graduation you need a new legal basis to stay. Our guide on planning your next residence route after graduation explains the options to explore before your status ends.

What employers check, and what you should keep

According to guidance from the National Labour Inspectorate quoted by Zielona Linia, a full-time student should show the employer a valid student ID confirming full-time study in Poland. Employers also check your passport and the document that confirms your legal stay, such as your visa, residence card or the certificate confirming a pending residence application.

Keep your own copies of the contract, your student ID, your university's confirmation of full-time status and your residence documents. Tax and social security rules are separate from the work permit question, so ask the employer how your contract will be taxed and insured before you sign.

• Valid student ID, updated every semester as your university requires.
• University confirmation that you study full-time at the named institution.
• Passport and the document confirming your legal stay in Poland.
• A written contract that states the type of contract, hours and pay.

Working without risking your studies or your status

EU law, through the Students and Researchers Directive (EU) 2016/801, requires member states to allow students to work for at least a minimum number of hours, while leaving the detailed conditions to national law. In Poland, the decisive questions remain your full-time status, your institution and your legal stay. Work must not replace study: your residence permit for studies depends on actually pursuing the programme.

If you are already in Poland and preparing or renewing a residence permit for studies, Auranik's Temporary Residence Application Support can help with document checklists, form preparation and a completeness review. Employers organising documentation for international staff can see our Workforce Documentation & Compliance service. Decisions on residence and work authorisation are made by the competent authorities.