How to find a job
in Poland
and avoid being scammed

Finding a job in Poland can be a good way to start your life in a new country. However, it is important to be careful, especially if you are just getting to know the Polish labour market and are not yet familiar with Polish regulations.
Not every job offer is honest. Not every intermediary acts in the employee’s best interests. Sometimes, a person looking for work receives one set of information during recruitment, but after arriving at the workplace discovers that the salary, position, place of work, or employment conditions are different from what was originally promised.
That is why, before accepting a job offer, it is worth checking a few basic things: who is offering you the job, where you will work, on what basis you will be employed, how much you will earn, and what documents you need. 
1. Do Not Accept the First Offer Without Checking It
If you are looking for work in Poland, you can find job offers through, among other things:

• online job portals;

• employment agencies;

• social media;

• online groups for foreigners;

• friends and people who already work in Poland;

• direct contact with companies.

Regardless of where you found the offer, it is worth checking it before making a decision.
Be especially careful with offers that promise:

• very high pay for simple work;

• a job with no experience required but an exceptionally high salary;

• immediate departure for work;

• accommodation and all formalities “taken care of” without explaining the details;

• work without a contract;

• work without checking your documents;

• a guaranteed visa or residence permit in exchange for a large fee.

An attractive offer does not automatically mean that it is a scam. However, it should encourage you to carefully verify all the information.
2. Check Who Is Actually Offering You the Job
Before agreeing to employment, find out:
Who is my employer?
Ask for the company’s full name or the details of the business owner.
Also check:

• the company’s address;

• the company’s identification number, if provided;

• the website;

• contact details;

• the place where the work will be performed;

• the type of business activity.

If an intermediary or employment agency contacts you, make sure you know who your actual employer will be.
This is important because the person conducting the recruitment is not always the same entity that will later employ you under a contract.
It is not enough to know the name of the person who contacted you on WhatsApp, Facebook, or Telegram.
You should know the details of the company or person that is formally offering you employment.
3. Be Careful with Intermediaries
Many people find jobs in Poland through employment agencies.
Using an agency is not in itself a problem. The problem arises when the employee does not know:

• who their employer is;

• who pays their salary;

• where they will actually work;

• which company is responsible for the employment;

• what a particular fee is being charged for.

If you use the services of an agency, ask for clear information about:

• the name of the agency;

• the employer;

• the position;

• the place of work;

• the salary;

• the type of contract;

• costs related to the agency’s services;

• accommodation and transport, if offered.

Do not sign documents that you do not understand.
4. Do Not Pay for a “Guaranteed Job”
Be especially careful when someone demands a large amount of money from you in exchange for:

• a guaranteed job;

• guaranteed employment;

• “arranging” a work permit;

• “arranging” a visa;

• a “guaranteed” residence permit;

• speeding up a procedure;

• guaranteed employment with a specific company.

Paying for a specific legal service does not necessarily mean that you are being scammed. The problem is when there is no clear information about exactly what you are paying for, who you are paying, and what document or service you will receive in return.
If someone says:
 
“Pay now, and we will prepare the documents later.”
— be especially careful.
Do not hand over money based only on a promise.
Ask for written confirmation of the service, the details of the entity receiving the payment, and a document specifying the amount and the reason for the fee.
5. Check the Salary
One of the most common problems can be a difference between the salary promised during recruitment and the salary stated in the contract.
Therefore, before starting work, find out:

• how much the salary is;

• whether the stated amount is gross or net;

• how many hours of work the amount refers to;

• whether overtime is possible;

• how additional hours are paid;

• when you will receive your salary;

• whether certain costs will be deducted from your salary.

If someone says:
 
“At first it will be less, but later you will earn more.”
— ask for specific conditions in writing.
Do not base your decision solely on verbal promises.
6. Check Exactly What Work You Will Be Doing
A job offer should clearly specify the type of work.
Pay attention to:

• the position;

• the scope of duties;

• the place of work;

• working hours;

• shift system;

• required qualifications;

• expected period of employment.

Be careful if you were promised one type of work during recruitment, but after arriving you discover that you are expected to perform completely different duties.
Example:
The job offer was for warehouse work, but after arriving, the employer wants you to perform heavy construction work.
In such a situation, do not assume that you have to agree simply because you have already arrived in Poland.
Check what is stated in your contract and in the documents concerning your right to work.
7. Check the Place of Work
Before travelling to Poland or moving to another city, establish exactly:
where you will work.
Information such as:
 
“The job is in Warsaw.”
is not enough.
Ask for the exact address or at least the exact place where the work will be performed.
Also check:

• whether the workplace corresponds to what was presented in the job offer;

• whether you will work at one location or in different places;

• who organises transport;

• how long the journey takes;

• who pays for the transport.

This is particularly important for seasonal, construction, warehouse, manufacturing, and agency work.
8. Accommodation — Check the Additional Costs
Some job offers include accommodation.
If the employer or agency offers you an apartment or a place in a hostel, ask:

• where the accommodation is located;

• how many people live in the room;

• how much it costs per month;

• whether the cost is deducted from your salary;

• whether a deposit is required;

• who pays for utilities;

• how transport to work is organised.

Do not assume that “free accommodation” means that you will have no costs at all.
Ask for clear information before starting work.
9. Do Not Hand Over Your Documents Without a Good Reason
Your passport, residence card, and other documents are very important.
You should not hand over the original of your passport or residence document to someone who wants to keep it for a long period without a clear reason.
An employer may need to check your documents, but checking a document is different from keeping it.
You can always ask:
Why do you need my document?
For how long?
When will I get it back?
Also keep copies of your most important documents.
10. Do Not Send Scans of Your Documents to Random People
When looking for a job, you may be asked to send:

• a photo of your passport;

• your residence card;

• your PESEL number;

• bank details;

• other personal documents.

Do not send this information to everyone who contacts you online.
First establish:

• who you are communicating with;

• which company is conducting the recruitment;

• why they need the document;

• what the document will be used for;

• how the document will be stored.

Be particularly careful when contact takes place only through a private phone number or messaging app.
11. Do Not Sign a Contract You Do Not Understand
This is one of the most important rules.
If you receive a contract in Polish and do not understand it, ask someone to explain its contents.
Check in particular:

• the type of contract;

• the employer’s name;

• the position;

• the salary;

• working hours;

• the place of work;

• the duration of the contract;

• the conditions for terminating the contract;

• additional costs and deductions.

Do not sign a document simply because the employer or intermediary says:
 
“It is a standard contract.”
A standard contract may still contain conditions that you should know before signing it.
12. Be Careful About “Working Without a Contract”
A particularly dangerous situation is when someone suggests:
 
“Start working first, and we will sign the contract later.”
Or:
 
“You don’t need a contract.”
Or:
 
“We will take care of the work documents after you start working.”
Such proposals may mean illegal employment.
If you have any doubts, do not start working until you have checked your situation.
Also remember that legal residence and legal employment are two separate matters that need to be checked separately.
13. Keep Evidence Related to the Job Offer
If an employer or intermediary presents you with a job offer online, keep:

• the job advertisement;

• messages;

• emails;

• information about the salary;

• information about the position;

• the employer’s details;

• information about accommodation;

• proof of payments made.

Do not delete conversations before starting work.
If it later turns out that the actual conditions are different from those you were promised, this information may help clarify the situation.
14. Simple Checklist Before Accepting a Job
Before you say “yes”, check:

• I know who my employer is;

• I know the place of work;

• I know what position I will work in;

• I know the amount of my salary;

• I know whether the salary is gross or net;

• I know how many hours I will work;

• I know what type of contract I will sign;

• I know what documents are required;

• I know how much accommodation costs;

• I know what additional costs may be deducted;

• I have received the information in writing;

• I understand the documents I am signing;

• I have copies of my most important documents.

If you cannot answer several of these questions, do not rush to start work.
15. The Most Important Warning Signs 🚩
Be especially careful if:
🚩 the employer does not want to provide the company’s full name;
🚩 it is unclear who your employer will be;
🚩 the promised salary is very high and has not been clearly explained;
🚩 the employer does not want to show you the contract;
🚩 you are expected to start work without the required documents;
🚩 someone demands a large fee for a “guaranteed job”;
🚩 someone keeps your passport without a clear reason;
🚩 the conditions after arrival are different from those in the job offer;
🚩 you are expected to perform different work from what was presented during recruitment;
🚩 someone pressures you to quickly sign documents you do not understand.
One warning sign does not necessarily mean that it is a scam. However, several such situations at the same time should encourage you to check the offer very carefully.
16. What to Do If You Suspect a Scam?
If you suspect that a job offer is dishonest, do not give any more money or documents until you have clarified the situation.
Keep all information related to the offer and your contact with the employer or intermediary.
If you have already started working and have a problem — for example, you are not receiving your salary, you are working under different conditions than agreed, or your employer has kept your documents — it is worth seeking professional help.
Depending on the problem, assistance may be available from the relevant Polish institutions, including the National Labour Inspectorate (Państwowa Inspekcja Pracy) and other competent authorities.
📌 Most Important
Before accepting a job in Poland, check five basic things:
WHO?
Who is your employer?
WHERE?
Where will you work?
WHAT?
What work will you be doing?
HOW MUCH?
How much will you earn and what costs will be deducted?
UNDER WHAT CONDITIONS?
What contract will you sign and what documents are required?
Do not make a decision based solely on a promise in a job advertisement, a message on a messaging app, or information provided by a friend.
A good job offer should be specific, transparent, and possible to verify.
If you do not understand the conditions — ask questions.
If you do not know the employer — check them.
If you do not have a contract — do not start work until you have checked your situation.
If someone pressures you to quickly pay money, sign a document, or hand over your documents — stop and check who you are dealing with.
The information on this page is general in nature. In a specific situation, it is worth checking the current regulations and using information provided by the relevant Polish institutions.