Poland restricts employment for citizens of Georgia, Colombia, and Venezuela

New regulations in Poland, effective August 22, 2026, have changed the rules for employing citizens of Georgia, Colombia, and Venezuela who are in the country under visa-free travel arrangements. Under the new decree issued by the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy, these individuals can no longer be hired using the previous simplified procedures.

The Polish government stated that the changes aim to curb migration abuses. Authorities noted that citizens from these nations were frequently entering the EU through other member states under the guise of tourism before traveling to Poland to seek work. This practice was linked to increased illegal stays, the growth of the shadow economy, labor market destabilization, and higher risks of exploitation and human trafficking.

While the new rules prohibit new employment under visa-free status, transitional provisions allow individuals who legally began working before the deadline to continue their employment. However, the sudden shift has created significant uncertainty for thousands of workers and labor agencies, particularly those who had already traveled to Poland expecting to secure work permits through existing administrative channels.