New employment law and integration programmes for migrants in Poland

New law on employment of foreigners

Poland adopted a new law on the employment of foreigners, the Act on the conditions for the admissibility of entrusting work to foreigners in the territory of the Republic of Poland. This marks the first time that migrant employment in Poland has been regulated by a standalone legal act.

The law aims to enhance the protection of foreign workers from legal violations and abuses and promote their better integration into the Polish labour market. Measures being introduced include the full digitalisation of employment procedures, a programme promoting migrant labour market integration, and regulations to ensure greater transparency in hiring processes.

Government launches new programme to support migrant students

The Polish government launched the ‘Friendly School programme’ for 2025 - 2027, which is designed to promote equal access to educational opportunities for foreign children and to support schools attended by foreign students.

The programme comprises 3 modules. The first involves the employment of intercultural assistants to support foreign students in adapting to new educational environments, the second focuses on improving the well-being of school communities through psychological support, career counselling, and support in resolving behavioural and teaching problems, and the third aims to enhance the skills of teachers and educational staff in working with students with migration or refugee experience.

The total budget for the programme is almost PLN 500 million (approximately EUR 116 million), provided by the European Social Fund Plus.

Supreme Audit Office assesses government’s migrant integration programme

Poland’s Supreme Audit Office published an assessment of the preparation and implementation of the ‘Together we can do more’ government programme for 2022 - 2025, which aims to support the economic and social integration of migrants in Poland.

112 projects were implemented within the framework of the programme, with a total value of PLN 102 million (financed by the country’s Labour Fund). People displaced from Ukraine constituted the majority of beneficiaries, followed by people from Afghanistan, Belarus and Russia. As part of the assessment, approximately 3 500 beneficiaries were surveyed about their participation in the programme.

Analysis of the economic impact of people displaced from Ukraine

A recently published analysis - commissioned by UNHCR Poland - finds that the activity of people displaced from Ukraine in Poland is generating the equivalent of 2.7% of the country’s GDP.

People displaced from Ukraine in Poland are generally able to begin contributing actively to the country’s economic growth soon after their arrival, as they do not have to undergo any work permit application process in order to access the country’s labour market. Between 2023 and 2024, according to the analysis, the employment rate of those of working-age increased from 61% to 69%. Notably, the arrival of a large number of Ukrainians to the labour market has neither increased unemployment nor decreased wages among native Polish workers.

Social insights on preferred models of migrant integration

The state-funded Public Opinion Research Centre (CBOS) in Poland released a report on migrant integration models preferred by Polish people. It finds that the majority of the public prefers an ‘assimilationist approach’, which requires immigrants to learn Polish and adapt to Polish culture, values and customs. A smaller number was found to support a ‘moderately multicultural’ model, which is based on the recognition of cultural diversity as a value and emphasises state support for preserving elements of immigrants’ original cultures. Most respondents agreed that to be granted Polish citizenship, migrants should have no criminal record and be able to demonstrate knowledge of the Polish language, culture, values, and traditions.

Results of AMIF call announced

The Ministry of the Interior and Administration published the results of the most recent call for proposals for funding under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). A total of 36 projects across Poland were selected for support, with nearly PLN 109 million (approximately EUR 26 million) allocated for their implementation. Grants were awarded mainly to NGOs and local Caritas branches.

The call aimed to select initiatives that foster the integration of third-country nationals, with selected projects targeting both migrants and Polish society. For migrants, the initiatives focus on unlocking their potential, supporting Polish language learning and familiarising them with the norms and values applicable in Poland, with a view to encouraging active social participation and the building of close relationships with Poles. On the other hand, activities directed at Polish society aim to promote education and prevent racism and xenophobia.