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In-demand occupations · 2026
🇵🇱 Poland in-demand & shortage occupation list
updated for 2026.
17 shortage occupations across 4 sectors, with indicative salaries, official codes and the visa route each one unlocks.
Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy / Voivodeship offices · 2026 regional lists
Overview
Occupations exempt from the labour market test & Type A permit shortage roles
Poland maintains a national list of occupations exempt from the labour market test (informacja starosty), plus voivodeship-level shortage lists. Manufacturing, logistics, construction and IT drive the demand, and the EU Blue Card offers a higher-skilled route with a salary threshold set at 150% of the national average.
How the Poland shortage list works
- 1Check whether your occupation appears on the national exemption list or your voivodeship's shortage list.
- 2Exempt occupations skip the labour market test, cutting several weeks off the timeline.
- 3The employer applies for a Type A work permit; you then apply for a national D visa or temporary residence.
- 4Long-term EU residence is available after five years of legal continuous residence.
Sector-wise demand
Poland shortage occupations by sector
IT & business services
| Occupation | Code | Indicative salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software developer and tester | — | PLN 140,000 – 260,000 | |
| IT support and infrastructure specialist | — | PLN 110,000 – 180,000 | |
| SAP and ERP consultant | — | PLN 160,000 – 280,000 | |
| Finance and accounting shared-services specialist | — | PLN 90,000 – 150,000 | Kraków, Wrocław, Warsaw hubs |
Manufacturing & engineering
| Occupation | Code | Indicative salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| CNC machine operator and setter | — | PLN 72,000 – 110,000 | |
| Welder (MIG/MAG, TIG) | — | PLN 78,000 – 120,000 | |
| Industrial electrician and automation technician | — | PLN 85,000 – 130,000 | |
| Mechanical maintenance technician | — | PLN 78,000 – 118,000 | |
| Production and quality engineer | — | PLN 110,000 – 170,000 |
Construction & infrastructure
| Occupation | Code | Indicative salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenter, mason and concrete worker | — | PLN 66,000 – 100,000 | |
| Plumber and HVAC installer | — | PLN 70,000 – 105,000 | |
| Crane and heavy equipment operator | — | PLN 78,000 – 118,000 | |
| Site supervisor and civil engineer | — | PLN 110,000 – 170,000 |
Transport, logistics & care
| Occupation | Code | Indicative salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| International truck driver (CE + Code 95) | — | PLN 90,000 – 145,000 | |
| Warehouse operative and forklift driver | — | PLN 60,000 – 92,000 | |
| Nurse and medical caregiver | — | PLN 80,000 – 130,000 | Polish language + licence |
| Chef and kitchen staff | — | PLN 60,000 – 95,000 |
Salaries are indicative gross annual figures for 2026 hiring and vary by employer, city, experience and negotiation. Shortage lists are revised by the issuing authority — we re-verify your occupation before any filing.
Why it matters
What a shortage occupation gets you in Poland
Large Indian worker base
Established Indian communities in Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław and Gdańsk.
Path to EU long-term residence
Five years of legal residence opens EU long-term resident status with mobility rights.
Matching visa routes
File under the right Poland category
Type A Work Permit + National D Visa
Standard employer-sponsored Polish work permit
Poland EU Blue Card
Degree-holder route with EU mobility
Karta Pobytu (Temporary Residence Card)
Poland's residence card for third-country workers and families
Poland Student Visa
Study at UW Warsaw, UJ Kraków, PW, AGH
Documents Required for Poland
Polish consular and voivodeship documentation checklist
Poland in-demand occupations — FAQs
Is Polish language needed?
+
IT, shared services and engineering roles often run in English. Factory, construction and care roles increasingly expect basic Polish, and it is mandatory for licensed healthcare.
How long does a Type A work permit take?
+
6-12 weeks for the permit at the voivodeship office, plus 3-6 weeks for the D visa. Exempt occupations sit at the faster end.
Can my family join me?
+
Yes, through family reunification once you hold a temporary residence permit, usually after your initial residence card is issued.
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