More than 759,000 Ukrainian citizens were working in Poland as of 30 September 2025, representing an increase of 7.2% compared with the same month in 2024 and 2.7% more than in August 2025. At the same time, since 2014, the number of Ukrainians holding valid residence permits in Poland has risen from 41,000 to over 1.597 million, according to data from Statistics Poland (GUS) and the Office for Foreigners.
Despite the continued arrival of Ukrainians, the passage of time has not necessarily made them feel fully at home in Poland or ready to settle permanently. The latest research conducted by Grupa Progres shows that previous migration experiences, changing regulations and the attitudes of Polish society significantly shape their everyday lives and professional decisions. As many as 60% of Ukrainians believe the Polish labor market should be more open, while 41% still do not know whether they will return to their homeland after the war.
Migration Trends Since 2014
According to the Office for Foreigners (UDSC), the number of Ukrainians holding valid residence permits in Poland increased from 41,000 in 2014 to nearly 1.6 million today. The most dynamic growth occurred after the outbreak of the war in 2022, when applications for temporary residence permits reached record levels.
In 2022, 290,584 applications for temporary residence were submitted, and in 2023 the number rose to nearly 296,000. In the same years, 13,496 and 13,334 Ukrainians respectively applied for permanent residence in Poland.
Although there has been a slight decline in the number of applications since then, migration levels remain higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic. According to UDSC data as of 1 October 2025, Ukrainians submitted a total of 230,060 applications to legalize their stay in Poland between January and October 2025. Most concerned temporary residence permits (201,640), while the rest included permanent residence applications (8,478) and applications for EU long-term resident status (19,942).
Decisions to move to Poland are most often motivated by the need to support families, find stable employment, and benefit from cultural and linguistic proximity. Work-related migration continues to dominate among applications for temporary residence. Between 2016 and 2025, more than 2.4 million applications were submitted for work-related purposes, compared with over 300,000 related to family reunification and more than 162,000 connected with education.
Ukrainians in Poland: More Numerous but Still Uncertain
The latest Grupa Progres study shows that 41% of Ukrainians do not know whether they will return to Ukraine after the war ends, 37% say they plan to return, and 22% say they will remain abroad.
“The high share of undecided respondents shows that refugees are still trying to find their place between their homeland and a new country,” says Julia Nowicka, an expert on the legalization of foreign employment at Grupa Progres. “A decision to return requires certainty that life in Ukraine will be safe and stable.”
She adds that this uncertainty also has a practical dimension. Many people wonder whether they will have jobs, homes and access to education after the war. Their hesitation does not mean a lack of ties to their country but rather reflects the need for clear guarantees about the future.
The situation is further complicated by changing regulations concerning foreigners, varying interpretations of those rules by some institutions, and mixed or sometimes negative attitudes toward Ukrainians living in Poland, the expert notes.
A Need for a More Open Labor Market
According to Statistics Poland (GUS), as of September 2025 more than 759,000 Ukrainians were employed in Poland, accounting for 67% of all foreign workers in the country. Their strong presence makes access to the labor market and legalization procedures a key element in discussions about the functioning of the Polish economy.
Research by Grupa Progres shows that 60% of respondents believe Poland should further open its labor market to foreigners, while 28% have no opinion and 12% say such changes are unnecessary.
According to Julia Nowicka, this is a clear signal that access to legal employment for migrants is still difficult. In practice, many people encounter lengthy administrative procedures, and increasingly the problem also affects the employment of highly qualified specialists.
For some employers, this has become a real challenge—especially if they are not included in the list of companies considered strategically important to the national economy. Such businesses cannot benefit from simplified procedures or support mechanisms available to companies participating in government programs or public investment projects. As a result, many firms seeking specialists must go through standard, often lengthy administrative processes, despite an urgent need for these skills.
Another challenge remains the lengthy administrative procedures, which were already visible when obtaining work permits or permits combining residence and employment.
The situation may become even more complicated. On 5 March 2026, authorities resumed issuing residence decisions for Ukrainian citizens that include specific employment conditions. Linking residence permits to a particular employer and specific job conditions could increase the number of applications to amend permits whenever a worker changes jobs.
This could further burden the administrative system with new cases. Given the current staffing levels in government offices, it may lead to even longer processing times. For companies, this means greater organizational uncertainty, while for foreign workers it slows down integration into the labor market and limits the full use of their qualifications.
Ukrainians Are Experienced Economic Migrants
The Grupa Progres study also revealed that 85% of Ukrainians working in Poland had previously had positive migration experiences abroad. Such experience significantly affects their self-confidence, adaptability and readiness to take on new challenges.
“Those who have previously worked abroad adapt more quickly to a new environment. They know how to overcome language barriers, deal with formalities and build professional networks,” says Julia Nowicka.
“These experiences give them confidence and courage. If they cannot find opportunities for development in Poland, they will not hesitate to try elsewhere. This shows how important it is for the Polish labor market and integration policies to recognize their aspirations and potential. Otherwise, the existing shortage of workers may grow even larger.”
She notes that such shortages could also be felt by consumers—for example through longer waiting times for services or reduced availability of workers in shops, service points and manufacturing sectors.
