The labor market in Poland is changing dynamically, and with it comes increasing demands on employers who hire people from abroad. Of key importance today is the legal employment of foreigners, which not only protects companies from penalties, but also ensures stability and security of cooperation. In this context, the question increasingly arises: is a civil law contract enough, or is full employment in accordance with the new regulations necessary?
What are civil law contracts?
Civil law contracts, such as a contract of mandate or contract for work, are characterized by greater flexibility and lower costs for the employer. They can be beneficial for short projects or seasonal assignments, but their use in the context of foreigners comes with serious limitations.
Why aren't they always enough?
- New regulations - Since June 2025, any employment of a foreigner requires proper notification and sending a copy of the contract to the office. Civil law contracts do not always meet the requirements for legalization.
- Risk of sanctions - Employment on the basis of "junk contracts" may be treated by the inspectorate as a circumvention of the law. The penalty for the employer can be up to PLN 50,000.
- Employee protection - Foreigners often require additional support (housing, transportation, legalization of stay), which requires a stable legal basis, which is provided by an employment contract.
Legal employment of foreigners - why does it pay?
- Guarantees transparency and security - for the employee and the company.
- It enables the use of benefits, such as loyalty programs and social benefits.
- Builds Confidence among business partners and control institutions.
- Minimizes the risk of financial penalties and problems during inspections.
What does the NJOB Group recommend?
At NJOB, we focus on full legality and compliance. Instead of ad hoc civil law contracts, we offer processes based on contracts that comply with the law, which protect both parties and allow for long-term cooperation. As a result, our clients gain confidence that their company is operating in accordance with the law, and our employees gain a sense of security and stability.
Civil law contracts may be a temporary solution, but when it comes to hiring foreigners, it's worth betting on full, legal employment. This is the only way to operate safely and build a competitive advantage.
Want to learn more about how to hire foreigners safely? Coming in September, we will make available our free NJOB legislative guide - A practical guide to the new regulations.