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Changing employer on a Polish work permit: what you must do

By MałgorzataPublished Updated

If your temporary residence and work permit names your employer, a new employer or changed conditions usually means the permit must be changed, and you must tell the voivode in writing within 15 working days if you lose a job named in the decision. Working outside the permit’s conditions can lead to a return decision or fines.

Short answer. First read your decision: it states whether an employer and conditions (position, minimum pay, working time) are written in. If they are, any change needs action.

Step 1: read your decision

The decision on a temporary residence and work permit usually sets the conditions for your work: employer, position, minimum pay and working time. If it names them, you must work exactly on those terms. If the decision names no employer, the statutory duty to report the loss of a named employer does not arise. The MOS guidance also mentions a general duty to inform the voivode within 15 working days when the reason for the permit ceases.

If you lose a job named in the decision

  • Notify the voivode in writing within 15 working days (art. 121(1) of the Act on Foreigners). Filing an application to change the permit within the same 15 working days also counts as notification.
  • If you notified correctly, the rules on withdrawing the permit do not apply for 30 days from the day you lost the job. This protection can be used only once during the validity of the permit (art. 123).
  • Do not start work for someone else until the permit is changed or you have a new permit.
  • Ask for help early. A late or missing notification can put your permit at risk.

If your employer or conditions change

When the employer or conditions written in the decision change, you may need to apply to change the permit. According to MOS, this application is filed on paper, with the necessary documents, to the voivode competent for your current place of residence. There is a dedicated application form for it. The stamp duty for changing a temporary residence and work permit is 220 zł. The change does not extend the validity of the permit (art. 120).

Taking a second job

With a valid permit for one employer you can additionally work for another one only if a work permit is obtained for you for that job.

What to avoid

Working in breach of the conditions written in the decision, when they were not changed, is against the rules and can result in a decision obliging you to return to your country, or in liability for a petty offence. Do not start the new job on a promise.

Blue Card holders

If you hold an EU Blue Card, MOS says you must tell the voivode about a change of employer. See the Blue Card guide.

Not legal adviceThis guide explains formalities. It is not legal advice from an attorney and does not replace the official instructions on gov.pl.

Sources

Facts checked against the official MOS portal on 25 Oct 2026. Rules and amounts change, so check the source before you act.

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