Poland: Visa-Free Work Restrictions
Following our previous update on the draft restrictions, Poland has now adopted the rules limiting the right to work under the visa-free regime for nationals of certain countries.
The regulation was adopted on 31 July 2026 and entered into force on 22 August 2026. The final list remains unchanged and includes Colombia, Georgia and Venezuela.
What law introduced the changes?
Regulation of the Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy of 31 July 2026 on the list of countries whose nationals holding a work permit are not entitled to perform work while staying in Poland under the visa-free regime (Dz.U. 2026, item 1072).
What are the changes?
Nationals of Colombia, Georgia and Venezuela who hold a Polish work permit can no longer work in Poland while staying under the visa-free regime. To take up employment, they must hold an appropriate national visa or residence permit.
A transitional provision applies to individuals who started working in Poland before 22 August 2026 while legally staying under the visa-free regime. They may continue working under the existing rules until the end of their permitted visa-free stay.
The regulation does not abolish visa-free entry for nationals of the three countries. The restriction concerns their right to work while staying visa-free.