SHORTAGE OCCUPATIONS IN POLAND
Poland’s labour market continues to offer opportunities for skilled workers, especially where employers struggle to replace retiring staff or recruit people with practical qualifications. The national shortage list for 2026 highlights healthcare, transport, construction, education, energy and finance. For foreigners considering working in Poland, the best prospects usually come from matching a specific shortage occupation with the correct legal right to work.
CONTENTS
The Polish labour market in 2026
Poland has one of Central Europe’s largest and most diverse economies. Manufacturing, logistics, business services, IT, construction and food production all play an important role, while Warsaw, Krakow, Wroclaw, Gdansk, Poznan and Katowice attract both domestic and international employers.
The 2026 national forecast from Barometr Zawodow identifies shortages of truck drivers, doctors, psychologists and therapists across the largest number of counties. The labour market also lacks nurses and midwives, electricians, energy workers, welders, building-installation workers, teachers, care workers, warehouse staff and independent accountants.
The level of pay varies widely by industry, experience and location. Warsaw generally offers the highest salaries, but housing and daily costs are also higher. Before accepting an offer, compare it with current salary in Poland figures and use the net salary calculator to estimate the amount available after tax and social-insurance deductions.
IMPORTANT
A shortage occupation can improve your job prospects, but it does not guarantee an offer, a work permit or recognition of an overseas qualification. Each employer and immigration route has separate conditions.
Polish is the main working language in most local companies, public services, healthcare, education and skilled trades. English is more common in international IT, finance, business-process outsourcing, research and multinational manufacturing, particularly in the largest cities.
Occupations with strong demand
Poland’s official shortage forecast is based on local labour-market assessments, so demand can differ considerably between voivodeships and counties. For example, a role that is balanced nationally may still be hard to fill in a particular city or industrial region. Applicants should therefore review vacancies in their intended location rather than relying on one national list alone.
| Field | Examples of occupations in demand | What employers usually look for |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare and care | Doctors, nurses, midwives, psychologists, therapists, elderly-care and disability-support workers | Recognised credentials, professional registration where required and Polish for patient-facing work |
| Transport and logistics | Truck drivers, bus drivers, warehouse workers, freight planners and logistics specialists | Relevant driving licence, professional qualifications, safety awareness and practical experience |
| Construction | Building-installation workers, earthmoving-machine operators, mechanics and construction specialists | Trade skills, site experience, safety certificates and the ability to work in a Polish-speaking team |
| Electrical and energy work | Electricians, energy technicians, installation specialists and maintenance workers | Technical qualification, relevant permits and knowledge of safety procedures |
| Education | Vocational teachers, practical-training teachers, special-education teachers, language and general-subject teachers | Teaching qualification recognition and a strong command of Polish |
| Manufacturing | Welders, machine operators, production technicians and industrial maintenance staff | Documented practical experience, technical certificates and shift-work availability where needed |
| Finance and administration | Independent accountants, payroll specialists, auditors and financial professionals | Relevant qualifications, Polish accounting knowledge and familiarity with local reporting rules |
IT remains an important source of international vacancies, but it should not be treated as an automatic shortage route. Demand is strongest for professionals with specific experience in software development, cloud systems, cybersecurity, data and enterprise platforms. Junior roles can be much more competitive than senior specialist positions.
Construction, transport and manufacturing often provide more direct opportunities for applicants with practical experience. In these sectors, employers usually value verifiable skills, licences, safety awareness and reliability more than a generic CV. The legal work arrangement, job duties and salary should always be set out clearly in writing before the move.
NOTE
The national shortage forecast does not mean every employer is recruiting from abroad. Some vacancies require Polish, local licences or previous experience in the country.
Qualifications and Polish language requirements
For many private-sector jobs, an employer can assess a foreign diploma and work history independently. Regulated professions are different. Doctors, nurses, teachers and certain other specialists may need formal recognition, registration or additional proof of professional competence before they can work legally.
Polish is especially important for healthcare, education, public administration, law, customer-facing services and local small businesses. In jobs involving patients, children or official documentation, language ability is a professional requirement rather than a simple advantage.
English is more frequently accepted in international companies. Work in Warsaw includes many roles in finance, technology, consulting and business services where English is used daily. Krakow also has a large international-services sector, while work in Krakow can be attractive for professionals seeking a lower-cost alternative to the capital.
Work permits for non-EU citizens
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens normally have free access to the Polish labour market. Citizens of other countries usually need a valid basis for residence and, unless an exemption applies, an appropriate work permit or another document allowing employment.
Poland’s employment rules were updated through the Act of 20 March 2025 on the conditions for employing foreign nationals. The exact procedure depends on the type of work, the employer, the applicant’s residence status and the length of employment. A work permit alone is not enough if the person does not have legal residence that permits them to work.
In most cases, the employer is involved in the permit process. Seasonal employment, temporary work, specialist roles and particular nationalities may follow different procedures. Immigration requirements can change, so applicants should confirm the current route with the relevant provincial office or official government service before travelling.
IMPORTANT
Do not begin work on the basis of an informal promise, a tourist stay or an incomplete application. Illegal employment can lead to penalties for both the worker and the employer, as well as future immigration problems.
How to improve your chances of finding a job
Start by identifying a city and a sector where your skills are genuinely needed. A shortage list is most useful when it helps narrow the search to roles that match your training, licences and experience. Tailor your CV to each vacancy and make your availability, language level and legal work status clear.
- Use the Polish or English job title used in the vacancy and include relevant licences, certificates and equipment or software skills.
- For regulated professions, check recognition and registration requirements before applying.
- State your Polish and English levels honestly; beginning Polish study before moving is a practical advantage.
- Ask the employer early whether it has experience with work-permit procedures for non-EU citizens.
- Check the entire offer, including contract type, gross pay, expected net pay, working hours, accommodation and transport.
- Consider cities beyond Warsaw when the role allows it, as housing costs can be more manageable elsewhere.
The cost difference between cities can change the value of an offer substantially. Current prices in Poland and the practical realities of living in Poland should be considered alongside salary. The savings calculator can help estimate a relocation reserve for travel, rent, deposits and the first months after arrival.
If Poland is one of several possible destinations, the salary comparison tool and country comparisons can put pay, taxes and living costs into perspective before you commit to a move.
Sources
- Barometr Zawodow
- Statistics Poland — GUS
- Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy of Poland
- Office for Foreigners of Poland
- Social Insurance Institution — ZUS
Frequently Asked Questions
Which occupations are most in demand in Poland in 2026?
The national shortage forecast identifies truck and bus drivers, doctors, nurses and midwives, psychologists and therapists, electricians, teachers, welders, care workers, warehouse staff and independent accountants among the occupations with shortages.
Can I find a job in Poland with English only?
English can be sufficient in international IT, finance, business services, research and multinational companies. Polish is normally needed for healthcare, education, public-facing work, skilled trades and many local employers.
Do shortage occupations make it easier to get a Polish work permit?
They may make it easier to receive a job offer, but they do not automatically provide a work permit. Non-EU citizens must still have the appropriate residence basis and meet the conditions of the relevant employment procedure.
Can foreign healthcare professionals work in Poland?
Yes, but regulated healthcare professions normally require recognition of qualifications, registration and sufficient Polish for safe communication with patients and colleagues.
Is Warsaw the best city in Poland for employment?
Warsaw has the largest concentration of international employers and often the highest salaries, but it also has higher living costs. Krakow, Wroclaw, Gdansk, Poznan and Katowice can offer strong opportunities depending on the sector.
Founder and Editor-in-Chief of WageCentre, with a degree in finance and 15+ years of professional experience. He writes about salaries, taxes, labour markets, immigration and financial planning for relocation.
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