Restrictions on working if travelling visa-free: citizens of Colombia, Venezuela and Georgiai Gruzji

On 6 February 2026, details appeared in the legislative schedule of the Minister of Family, Labour and Social Policy about a draft regulation regarding countries whose citizens will not be entitled to work while visiting Poland under visa-free travel.

The proposed regulations stipulate that citizens of Colombia, Venezuela and Georgia, even if they do hold a work permit, will not be able to work legally in Poland solely based on visa-free travel. In their case, both a work permit and an appropriate national visa will be required before taking up employment. Entry and stay under visa-free travel alone will no longer be sufficient.

The draft implements a delegation from Article 3 par. 4 of the Act on the Conditions for the Admissibility of Entrusting Work to Foreigners on the Territory of the Republic of Poland.

The change is intended to reduce abuses involving visa-free travel being used for gainful employment and to strengthen control of migration.

The planned date for the regulation’s publication is the second quarter of 2026.