Starting a job in Poland as a foreigner, handle matters in this order: basis of stay, title to work, PESEL number, bank account, medical exams. The employer handles registration with ZUS (social insurance institution). With the right order, usually one visit to the gmina office is enough.

First job in Poland for foreigners: order of steps

Each next step needs a document from the previous one, so the order saves visits:

  1. Legal basis of stay: visa, residence card (karta pobytu) or another basis. Without it you cannot take a job or file most applications.
  2. Title to work: work permit, a registered declaration of entrusting work (oświadczenie o powierzeniu pracy), or exemption from the permit requirement. The type depends on citizenship and situation, and the employer applies for the document.
  3. PESEL number: at a gmina office, with an identity document.
  4. Bank account: the bank usually asks for a PESEL, so open the account after the number is assigned.
  5. Initial medical exams: before starting the position, on referral from the employer.

Registration for insurance with ZUS is not your step. The employer files it after you start work.

PESEL number for a foreigner: where and with what

A citizen from outside the EU, EEA and Switzerland applies for a PESEL number in person, at any gmina office. It does not have to be the gmina where you live, so no registered address (meldunek) does not block the application. The application must be signed by hand on the spot, so you cannot send a friend on your behalf.

Bring an identity document: passport, ID card or residence card. Details of the service are on the page Get a PESEL number for foreigners.

The PESEL will be useful when opening an account, settling tax and at the doctor's. The work permit or declaration of entrusting work is a separate document, and it, together with the basis of stay, decides whether the work is legal.

Bank account for a foreigner

Wages are usually paid by transfer, so you give the account number to the employer before the first payday. Banks usually ask for:

  • an identity document (passport or residence card),
  • a document confirming legal stay,
  • a PESEL number.

Requirements differ between banks, so check the list on the chosen bank's website before your visit. When choosing, ask about an account with no maintenance fee and an app in your language.

Health insurance and ZUS registration

Under an employment contract (umowa o pracę), the employer registers you for social and health insurance on the ZUS ZUA form. It has 7 days from the day work starts to do so. Insurance applies from the day of employment, but you will only see it in the NFZ (National Health Fund) system after registration. If you need a doctor in the first week, ask the employer whether the registration has already been filed.

Under a contract of mandate (umowa zlecenia), the registration duty and scope of insurance depend on the contract and your situation, so ask about it before signing.

You register with a family doctor separately: you submit a declaration at the chosen clinic.

Initial medical exams: who pays

Under an employment contract, the employer issues the referral and pays for the exams, which are done before starting the position. On our job offers, we or the workplace cover the initial exams.

For some positions, additional exams are required, for example for work at height or operating forklifts.

Documents the employer will ask for

  • identity document and basis of stay,
  • title to work (permit or declaration),
  • PESEL number,
  • bank account number,
  • medical certificate of no contraindications to work,
  • certificates and qualifications required for the position.
Make copies of all documents and keep them separate from the originals. Replacing a lost document takes longer than scanning it today.

Contract: what to check before signing

Check the type of contract, the rate and whether it is stated gross or net, working hours, place of work and notice period. Under a contract of mandate, the termination rules and notice periods follow from the contract and the Civil Code, not from the Labor Code. The gross amount is not the payout amount, and where the difference comes from is explained in the article on net and gross wages. Clarify unclear terms before signing, because after signing, a change requires an annex.

Our coordinators speak Polish, Ukrainian and Russian. See current job offers for foreigners.

Frequently asked questions

Can a friend file the PESEL application on my behalf?

No. The application must be signed by hand at the gmina office, so you file it in person, with an identity document.

Where do I submit a PESEL application if I have no registered address?

At any gmina office in Poland. You submit the application in person, with a passport, ID card or residence card.

How long does it take to get a PESEL?

The time depends on the gmina office and how complete the application is. Ask about the timeframe when submitting it, and if a bank or employer is waiting for the number, submit the application in the first days after arrival.

By when does the employer register an employee with ZUS?

Under an employment contract, within 7 days from the day work starts, on the ZUS ZUA form, and the registration covers social and health insurance. Under a contract of mandate, the scope of registration depends on the contract and your situation.

Can you start work without a PESEL number?

The legality of work is decided by the basis of stay and title to work, not by the PESEL. The number is still needed for the account, tax and doctor visits, so submit the application in the first week.

This text describes the general rules. What you are entitled to depends on your type of contract: an employment contract (umowa o pracę) or a contract of mandate (umowa zlecenie). Your own contract and payslip are what count.