Employers’ obligations – amendment to the special act on Ukrainians

The amendment to the Act on Assistance to the Ukrainian Citizens in Connection with the Armed Conflict in Ukraine not only prolonged the regulations in force on the stay and employment of Ukrainians, but also supplemented them with new rules for gaining access to the Polish labour market. Those changes in some cases may impose additional obligations on employers.

Assistance Act – changes in the employment of Ukrainian citizens

The amended Act on Assistance to Ukrainian Citizens in Connection with the Armed Conflict in Ukraine entered into force on 1 July 2024. It introduces important changes in access to the labour market, such as:

• a shortened 7-day deadline for the employer to send a notification of employment of a Ukrainian citizen (previously it was 14 days);
• an obligation to submit another notification of employment of a Ukrainian citizen if:
• the type of contract between the employing entity and the citizen of Ukraine has changed,
• the job position or type of work has changed,
• the working time or the number of working hours per week or month specified in the original notification has been reduced,
• the monthly or hourly rate of remuneration specified in the original notification has been reduced,
• an obligation to indicate in the notification of employment of a Ukrainian citizen at least the minimum salary or the minimum hourly rate,
• the possibility of applying for a temporary residence permit for families.

Residence status for Ukrainian citizens until 30 September 2025

The amended act extends temporary protection for Ukrainian citizens until 30 September 2025. This follows from the Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2023/2409 of 19 October 2023, which extended the temporary protection granted to Ukrainian citizens fleeing the war until 4 March 2025.

The extension of the period during which the stay of Ukrainian citizens is considered legal in Poland also extends the period of access to:

• health services,
• family and social benefits,
• benefits paid by the Social Insurance Institution and the possibility of staying in collective accommodation facilities.

After 30 September 2025, Ukrainian citizens who still want to legally come Poland will have to apply for a temporary residence permit, unless the next amendment to the special act extends the automatic residence status again.

Employment of foreigners – legal support for employers

TGC Corporate Lawyers specializes in obtaining work permits and documents allowing for legal residence in Poland for employees from the European Union and foreigners from outside the EU.

We provide comprehensive assistance in meeting all procedures related to the legalization of stay and obtaining documents necessary for foreigners to take up employment.

We help employers hiring foreigners from the European Union in:

• registration of the stay of an EU worker,
• obtaining a residence card of a family member of an EU citizen,
• obtaining permanent residence card for EU citizens and their families.

Legal services for foreigners – find out how we can help!