Polish employers comparing recruitment agencies usually compare one number: the service fee. It is the smallest line in the first-year cost. Here is everything, so you can budget a crew properly and compare quotations on the same basis.
One-Time State Fees
- Work permit — roughly PLN 400 for a period exceeding three months (PLN 200 for up to three months)
- Declaration of entrustment (oświadczenie) — roughly PLN 400 where that route applies
- Posting a foreigner to Poland — roughly PLN 800, where relevant
- Seasonal permit — roughly PLN 100
These are modest and rarely the deciding factor.
One-Time Recruitment Costs
- Agency service fee — per worker, covering sourcing, trade testing, interviews, documentation, medical coordination and travel logistics; quoted all-inclusive in writing
- Document preparation and translation — certificates, experience letters and sworn translations where required
- Medical examination — pre-departure screening in India
- D visa fee — per applicant at the Polish mission
- Flight — one-way from India, roughly PLN 1,800–3,200 depending on route and season
- Indian emigration clearance — nominal, for ECR passport holders
For a construction or warehouse worker, the all-in one-time figure typically lands in the low thousands of złoty per worker. Skilled trades with coupon testing cost more.
Recurring Employment Costs
This is where the real money sits.
- Gross wage — see the bands in our Poland salary guide; roughly PLN 4,200–5,600 for general roles, PLN 5,500–7,500 for certified welders
- Employer ZUS contributions — roughly 20 percent on top of gross salary for pension, disability, accident and labour-fund contributions
- Accommodation — PLN 600–1,400 per person per month depending on region, frequently employer-provided
- Transport to site — where the accommodation is not walkable
- Certification — UDT forklift licence roughly PLN 700–1,500 per operator; C+E licence conversion and Code 95 far more for drivers
Illustrative First-Year Total
For a warehouse operative at PLN 5,000 gross per month:
- One-time recruitment and state fees: low thousands of PLN
- Wages: PLN 60,000
- Employer ZUS: roughly PLN 12,000
- Accommodation at PLN 900 per month: PLN 10,800
- UDT certification: PLN 1,000
Roughly PLN 88,000–92,000 all-in for the first year, with wages and contributions dominating. The recruitment fee is a small fraction of that — which is why choosing an agency on fee alone, rather than on whether the worker stays, is the expensive mistake.
What You May Not Charge the Worker
Under Indian law a licensed agency may charge a worker only the capped fee prescribed by the Government of India. Recruitment costs, permit fees and travel are employer costs in a properly structured engagement. Agencies that fund their service by charging workers produce the retention problems you will pay for later.
Comparing Quotations
Ask every agency the same three questions: the all-inclusive one-time fee per worker, what is excluded, and the replacement policy in writing. Ours are set out on the Poland hiring page. Estimate quickly with the cost calculator, or request a firm quotation. All figures here are indicative; the signed service agreement governs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Polish work permit cost in 2026?
Roughly PLN 400 for a work permit exceeding three months, PLN 200 for up to three months, PLN 800 for posting and PLN 100 for a seasonal permit. These state fees are small relative to wages, ZUS and accommodation.
Can we deduct recruitment costs from the worker’s wages?
No. Under Indian law a licensed agency may charge a worker only a capped prescribed fee; recruitment, permit and travel costs sit with the employer in a compliant engagement.
