If not Polish, then who? Who do Polish companies most often employ?

The Polish labour market has been dynamically tapping into the potential of foreign workers for several years – both from neighbouring countries and from much more distant regions. Due to growing staffing needs and regulatory changes, employing foreign nationals has become a key element of HR strategies for many companies, including Worksol Group’s clients.

Below we present a current analysis of the nationalities most frequently employed in Poland (as of 2025–2026) and the main factors shaping these trends, based on reliable data from Statistics Poland (GUS – the national statistical office), expert research and market analyses.

Scale of foreign employment in Poland

According to the latest data from Statistics Poland (GUS), the number of foreign nationals working in Poland exceeded 1.09 million in mid-2025, representing an increase of approximately 6.5% year on year. This already accounts for around 6–7% of the entire workforce in Poland.
These figures confirm that Poland continues to rely heavily on foreign labour – both due to shortages in the local workforce and attractive employment prospects within the country.

The largest nationality groups in the labour market

1) Ukrainians – the clear majority of migrants

The largest group of foreign workers consists of Ukrainian citizens. GUS indicates that approximately 66–68% of all foreign employees are Ukrainians.
Key reasons include geographical and cultural proximity, relatively low language barriers and similar social mentality, which make migration and adaptation easier. The physical proximity of Ukraine allows mobility and reduces the sense of leaving one’s homeland permanently.
A major factor influencing migration was the war initiated by Russia in 2022. Many Ukrainians currently in Poland arrived during that period, combining temporary protection with employment and deciding to stay longer. The special legal act introduced in 2022 simplified access to the labour market by reducing formalities and shortening waiting times for employment documentation.
Ukrainians work across multiple sectors, primarily manufacturing, logistics, transport and services, as well as roles requiring physical labour or operational support.

2) Belarus, Georgia and other former USSR countries

After Ukrainians, other significant groups include citizens of:

• Belarus – approx. 10–11%
• Georgia – approx. 2–3%
• other former Soviet states such as Moldova and Armenia
  Although much smaller than Ukrainians, their share is growing due to demand in sectors less attractive to Polish workers.

3) New migration directions: Asia and Latin America

Workers from more distant regions – especially the Philippines, India and Colombia – are gaining increasing importance. Data from GUS and industry reports show dynamic growth in 2024–2025.
Key drivers include:

• rising demand for physical and operational workers in logistics, manufacturing, construction and services
• competitive wages compared with countries of origin
• recruitment agency activity and simplified migration procedures
• strong migrant community networks attracting further candidates
  Colombians are among the fastest-growing Latin American groups, while Filipinos are valued for English proficiency and cultural adaptability.

What pushes and attracts foreign workers to Poland?

Push factors originate in the country of origin and include economic difficulties, limited development opportunities and low wages.
Pull factors relate to the destination country and include higher wages, labour market stability, strong demand for workers, economic growth and investment expansion. Migrants are also more likely to relocate where diaspora networks already exist. Political stability and favourable living conditions are also key considerations.

Case study: Philippines, Colombia, India – three new pillars of labour migration?

Filipinos – dynamic growth and migration drivers

The number of work permits for Filipino workers increased from 733 in 2017 to over 29,000 in 2023, with growth continuing in 2024–2025.
Key factors include:

• a long-standing labour export system supported by state institutions
• insufficient domestic wages and limited local career prospects
• perception of Poland as a “gateway to Europe” (although working elsewhere in the EU without proper documentation is risky)
• increasing labour shortages in Poland
  Filipinos are frequently employed in logistics, warehousing, manufacturing, construction and hospitality. They are valued for reliability, flexibility and English language skills. Experts warn that some recruitment via informal intermediaries may increase risks of abuse or irregular employment.

India – from highly skilled specialists to operational workers

Indian migrants represent one of the largest global migrant groups. In Poland their numbers are increasing and include both operational workers and highly qualified specialists.
Key characteristics:

• diverse skill levels, including IT and STEM specialists
• rising income expectations in India
• strong migration networks across Western and Northern Europe
  Main sectors include technology, administration, logistics, production and operational roles.

Colombians – rapid growth and its causes

The number of Colombians working in Poland has more than tripled in recent years. In 2025 they received the highest number of work permits among non-EU nationals in Poland.
Drivers include:

• economic inequality, unemployment and security challenges in Colombia
• previous visa-free Schengen entry rules (before legal changes in 2024)
• competitive wages and relatively lower living costs in Poland
  Colombians are mainly employed in temporary work agencies, logistics, facility maintenance, operational support and transport-related services.

What conclusions can be drawn?

Poland continues to face labour shortages, making foreign employment a key workforce strategy. The dominance of Ukrainian workers results both from the war and from simplified employment regulations. However, future demographic proportions may change as migration from Asia and Latin America increases. New migration waves are responding directly to employer demand in manufacturing, logistics and service sectors.