Work in Poznań

Advantages of living in Poznań

Advantages of life Poznań is a developed city in western Poland, which is very popular among Ukrainians. A city with an ancient history, wonderful traditions, and a strong economy warmly opens its doors to our compatriots who have decided to settle and work here. Poznań is famous for the high standard of living that its residents can achieve, as well as the ability to combine different cultures, thanks to which everyone can feel better here. More than 100 thousand Ukrainians live in the city itself, and in the entire Greater Poland Voivodeship – three times more! So what attracts people to Poznań?

Firstly, Poznań has a very low unemployment rate. Last year, there were fewer than 8 thousand unemployed in the entire Poznań county. Other large cities – Wrocław, Warsaw, Katowice – can also boast low figures; however, Poznań remains the leader. This provides confidence about future employment and the opportunity to lead a decent life.

Secondly, Poznań is a convenient city. Public transport is one of the most important attributes of big cities, and in Poznań, this is well understood. Trams operate for the needs of residents, urban and suburban buses run, and there are enough bike stations located at key points. Public transport services are also available at night.

Thirdly, Poznań is a strong economic center with developed industry, trade, logistics, and tourism. Transport, construction, and IT companies operate actively here, as well as healthcare institutions. Moreover, investors willingly invest funds in Poznań, and the number of companies grows year by year. It is also worth mentioning the field of science, education, excellent infrastructure, and available entertainment, which significantly affect the well-being of Poznań’s residents.

How much does a month of living in Poznań cost?

Prices in Poznań correspond to a high standard of living. Renting an apartment in a good new building or in an older one in a convenient location will cost between 1200 and 2000 PLN per month. A cheaper option is a separate room, which usually costs 500-800 PLN. You can also consider apartments in “cheaper” districts, such as Naramowice, Wilda, or Ogrody. Of course, in addition to the rent, you need to add the cost of utilities.

Groceries in Poznań cost about the same as in other large cities. Finding inexpensive products is not difficult since prices are quite competitive due to high competition. If you want to eat out in the city, the cheapest option will be student canteens, bistros, and similar establishments.

The most economical way to get around the city is, of course, by bicycle. However, this option is not always available, so public transport is very popular among city residents. A ride on a city bus or tram costs from 2 PLN, and if you want to save money, you can buy a subscription ticket, which costs from several dozen to several hundred PLN.

Overall, life in Poznań is good because it has a well-developed transport network, the city center is quite small, and you can reach key places within 10–30 minutes. Additionally, finding a job in Poznań is easy, as there are many employment opportunities. If you manage your finances wisely, you can live comfortably, spending about 1000 PLN per month.

What professions are popular in Poznań?

The situation on the Poznań labor market can be described as favorable for job seekers. The low unemployment rate ensures low competition, and in some cases, there are even not enough candidates. The city has many large factories and successful companies, as well as small and medium enterprises. Therefore, there are plenty of job offers both for qualified specialists and for candidates with modest experience. What kind of workers are being hired in Poznań?

In Poznań, drivers of trucks, tractors, and public transport vehicles are sought, as well as teachers of various levels, garment industry workers, nurses, medical orderlies, and doctors, manual laborers and construction workers. The HoReCa sector and entertainment industry mainly focus on students, offering them flexible work schedules, but foreigners are equally welcome. Jobs for men in Poznań mainly include positions in warehouses and production, as well as vacancies for mechanics, electricians, and other specialists.

Women often work as customer service specialists, accountants, cooks, educators, nannies, and similar roles. Employers are eager to sign a contract and offer a good salary if you prove your skills. Certainly, knowledge of Polish and English (or another foreign language) will be useful. New job offers appear daily, so it’s worth keeping an eye on updates and responding to positions that interest you.

Salary levels in Poznań

According to data from the end of 2022, employees of Polish enterprises with more than nine employees can expect an average gross salary of 6858 PLN per month, which is almost 14% higher compared to the previous year. In some cities, of course, you can earn more, and Poznań is among them. Here, employers offer their workers an average of 7300 PLN. However, it should be noted that this applies to the city itself, as salaries within the voivodeship fluctuate around 6000 PLN.

What does the salary situation look like for specific professions? For example, a cashier-salesperson position in Poznań is paid 3000 PLN at the start of employment and 3200 PLN after gaining experience; a warehouse worker earns 3200 and 4150 PLN respectively, and a manager earns from 3500 to 4500 PLN. Nannies with education and completed courses can earn even more than 16 PLN per hour, while young women and girls without specialized education may earn half as much. In Poznań, the average pay for nanny services is 10-11 PLN per hour.

The city also actively hires construction workers, and sometimes there are more job vacancies than job seekers. For many people, this is a good career path with the opportunity to earn good money and develop without the need for higher education. Experienced and qualified specialists can earn up to 10,000 PLN, while workers without experience will most likely earn minimum wage. There is also a shortage of workers in the transport industry, so gradually this profession may become very promising. In Poznań, truck drivers who drive abroad earn about 7200 PLN per month. Drivers of tankers and hazardous materials transport may earn 5500 PLN, and the average salary in this field is about 5000 PLN gross per month.

Working conditions and employee requirements

Work in Poznań offers good opportunities for professional development. The situation on the Poznań labor market can be described as stable and promising, which positively affects the position of employees and job seekers. Finding a job in Poznań is generally not difficult, especially for representatives of the most in-demand professions. The city hosts well-known companies with a large workforce, so there is a chance to find employment in various sectors. Small and medium enterprises also offer interesting and well-paid jobs. There is ongoing demand in Poznań for doctors and medical staff at various levels, teachers and educators, drivers, manual workers, accountants, electricians, locksmiths, marketers, and government officials.

Employees must be employed under one of three types of contracts that define their rights, duties, and working conditions. An employment contract (umowa o pracę) guarantees a minimum wage (3010 PLN gross), annual paid leave, unpaid leave, maternity and parental leave, regulated working hours, and protection from dismissal in certain situations. In this case, the employee becomes a “part” of the company. After signing the employment contract, the employee is required to undergo initial medical examinations and occupational health and safety training. A contract of mandate (umowa zlecenie) is used when the employee is hired to perform a specific task. The employee is not entitled to paid leave or maternity leave, does not receive overtime pay, is not covered by pension contributions, and does not have protection from contract termination. However, the employee is not subordinated to the employer in the same way as in a company. A contract for a specific task (umowa o dzieło) allows legally providing a one-time service. The amount of remuneration is determined by the parties to the contract; the employee does not have social insurance but also does not pay contributions foreseen by other types of contracts, has no right to leave, and is not subordinated to the employer.

What professions are most popular among Ukrainians in Poznań?

Polish employers actively hire workers from Ukraine. Jobs for women in Poznań are often related to skills that are in shortage in the Polish labor market – seamstresses, cooks, teachers, translators are sought after. Additionally, many Ukrainian women currently in Poland take on work traditionally considered male – for example, forklift operation. The Polish automotive industry continues to provide jobs even for candidates without significant experience, as well as for women.

Poznań is looking for warehouse and production workers, cleaners, teaching assistants, seamstresses, waiters and catering staff, accountants, dietitians, dentists, ophthalmologists, hairdressers, transport workers, educators, maids, nurses, translators. The IT sector is also open to Ukrainians (analytics specialists, testers, system administrators), as well as construction and repairs (locksmiths, machine operators, mechanics, and other technicians), transport and logistics (drivers of public and freight transport), sales and customer service. Many remote work opportunities are offered in customer service, PR, advertising, and e-commerce sectors.

Where can married couples work?

Some Ukrainians improve their financial situation by working in Poland as married couples. Working in Poznań as a couple offers the opportunity to earn well, live in another country, and gain interesting experience. Married couples usually want to work together – at least in the same company. This is very convenient because adaptation processes become easier, and they can always count on each other’s support, without worrying about maintaining their relationship and mutual safety. Moreover, working together significantly increases income.

Ukrainian couples often work in factories and plants, as many job offers in such enterprises have minimal employment requirements, and sometimes they can hold the same positions. If you have good education and experience in your field, you will certainly be able to find a job in Poznań that matches your specialization and continue to develop, as the city provides all the necessary conditions. However, couples often work in different places because Poznań has good job offers for men (builders, drivers, electricians, mechanics, etc.) and women (seamstresses, cooks, maids, caregivers, educators, etc.). Another option for working together is seasonal jobs or the HoReCa sector: waiters, chefs, kitchen assistants, bartenders, administrators, and similar positions. Candidates are usually expected to have some work experience, no bad habits, good health, responsibility, and a willingness to work.

Is it possible to work in Poznań without a work visa?

Ukrainians can work in Poland for up to 90 days within every 180-day period without a work visa if they have a valid biometric passport. In this case, there are two options: obtain an invitation and go to work with it, or come without an invitation and look for a job after arriving in Poland. If a Ukrainian citizen stays in Poland for more than 90 days, they face fines and deportation. To avoid this, it is necessary to obtain a work visa or a temporary residence permit.

Working in Poznań for a long term requires obtaining a work visa. The work visa can be national or Schengen – the choice depends on where, what position, and for how long you will work. The visa is issued based on an invitation from a Polish employer. The invitation should include the name and details of the company where the person will work, the employee’s data, information about the purpose and duration of the trip, as well as appropriate signatures and stamps.

As of early 2023, male Ukrainian citizens can leave Ukraine (with or without a visa) only if they are exempt from conscription during general mobilization and have a permit to leave Ukraine. Ukrainian refugees who have obtained temporary protection in Poland can work without a visa.