Saturday, 15 March 2025
Poland’s migration policy must evolve to effectively attract highly skilled specialists amid growing global competition in technology and innovation, according to Personnel Service. The company highlights that Poland could take inspiration from Germany, which has successfully attracted a significant number of highly qualified professionals to bolster its workforce.
“There are currently an estimated 2.3 to 2.5 million foreign workers in Poland, underscoring their vital role in the country’s economy. While these workers, predominantly Ukrainians, are filling critical labor gaps, the focus has largely been on low-skilled positions. This approach, however, is temporary and insufficient for long-term economic growth,” said Personnel Service founder and labor market expert, Krzysztof Inglot. “Poland needs a forward-looking migration policy. With the rapid transformation of the labor market driven by technology and innovation, the need for highly skilled workers has never been greater.”
Poland ranks as the second-largest issuer of EU Blue Cards, which facilitate the employment of highly qualified workers from outside the European Union. However, the country lags far behind Germany, which dominates the category. In 2023, a total of approximately 89,000 highly skilled workers received Blue Cards across the EU. Of these, 78% were issued by Germany, while Poland accounted for just 7%, issuing 6,200 permits—62,000 fewer than its western neighbor.
Personnel Service emphasizes that while Poland leads the EU in issuing temporary work permits, it must focus on retaining and better utilizing the talents of highly educated foreign workers. In 2023, EU member states issued over 3.7 million work permits, a 5% increase compared to the previous year. Poland was responsible for 17% of these permits, the highest share in the EU, followed by Germany at 16% (586,000 permits) and Spain at 15% (549,000 permits).
“In many cases, even when we attract educated foreigners, we fail to fully utilize their skills and competencies. Retaining such talent requires creating better working conditions and providing opportunities for professional development,” Inglot added. “This is particularly relevant for Ukrainian workers, who face stiff competition in their home country and other labor markets.”
Personnel Service asserts that Poland must align its migration policies with the demands of a modern, innovation-driven economy. As technological advancements reshape industries, the ability to attract and retain top talent will be critical to maintaining competitiveness on the global stage.
Source: Personnel Service and ISBnews
