Zuzanna Nowak’s article on employing foreign students for the “Rzeczpospolita” daily

What to check before hiring an international student?

As of July 1, 2026, the rules regarding the possibility of working without a work permit for certain foreign students studying in Poland have changed. The new regulations are of particular importance to employers hiring individuals from non-public higher education institutions and public vocational universities.

What do these changes mean in practice, and how can an international student’s work eligibility be properly verified before allowing them to work?

The latest article by Zuzanna Nowak – Senior Specialist in the Immigration Law Department at Sadkowski and Partners, has been published on the “Rzeczpospolita” daily portal.

In the article, our expert analyzes, among other things:

• what conditions an international student must meet to work without a work permit,
• how to verify the status of the university and check whether it is subject to the approval requirement,
• what significance the basis of the foreigner’s stay has on their right to work,
• what documents an employer should obtain and verify before hiring a student,
• why ongoing monitoring of student status, university status, and residence documents is necessary,
• what financial and legal consequences threaten employers for illegally entrusting work to a foreigner.

It is worth remembering that student status alone does not always automatically entitle one to take up work without a permit. Failure to comply with verification duties by the employer can result in severe sanctions.

We encourage you to read the full article: link