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Employment permits, worker nationality and eligibility explained
Short answer: Whether an employment permit or visa is needed depends on the worker's nationality and the destination country: EU/EEA citizens usually need no permit inside the EU/EEA, while other nationals, and workers going to destinations outside the EU/EEA, generally need the destination's work authorisation.
Three questions decide it
- What nationality is the worker? EU/EEA citizen, or another nationality.
- What is the destination country? Inside the EU/EEA, or elsewhere.
- What is the nature of the work? Direct employment, temporary work or short-term posting, and seasonal or longer-term.
Typical outcomes
| Worker | Destination | Usual position |
|---|---|---|
| EU/EEA citizen | EU/EEA country | Generally no employment permit; registration steps may apply and differ by country. |
| EU/EEA citizen | Destination outside the EU/EEA | Usually the destination’s own visa and sponsorship rules apply; EU citizenship does not remove them (Switzerland, for example, has a separate arrangement with the EU). |
| Non-EU national | Any EU country | Destination country’s permit rules apply; Polish residence is not enough. |
Employer duties continue after the permit question
Even where no permit is required, employers typically still need to check the right to work, issue a written contract, register the employee for payroll and social insurance, and comply with local minimum pay and working time rules. Ask the destination authority or an adviser what applies to you.
General information, not legal advice. Rules change; check the official sources before acting.