In recent years, we have observed a clear decline in the number of Poles leaving to work abroad. In 2025, it is estimated that around 800–900 thousand people took up employment in other countries, which is a lower result than in the previous decade. This decline results, among other things, from rising wages in Poland, improved employment conditions, as well as limitations caused by the pandemic and the changing demographic situation. Despite this, Poles still treat working abroad as a real option, especially in manual occupations that offer attractive rates in Western European and Scandinavian countries.
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Why do Poles leave?
The main reason remains higher earnings and greater employment opportunities than those offered by the Polish labor market. In many European countries, manual workers can earn significantly more than the average rates in Poland. For many people, it is also an opportunity to gain international experience, learn foreign languages, and secure financial stability for themselves and their families.
Where do Poles most often find work?
The most popular destinations for manual workers from Poland are primarily EU countries with stable labor markets:
Germany – still the leader in terms of the number of job offers in warehouses, logistics, construction, and production. Poles work there both seasonally and on longer-term contracts.
Norway, Sweden, Denmark – offer some of the highest hourly rates for manual work, especially in construction and seasonal jobs.
Switzerland – although it requires many formalities, it remains an attractive place for specialists in production, logistics, and facility maintenance.
The Netherlands and Belgium – high demand for workers in warehouses and in fruit and vegetable harvesting.
These labor markets offer stable employment conditions, often with employment contracts or fixed-term agreements, as well as the possibility of legal residence and access to social benefits.
Which sectors offer jobs?
Poles abroad very often work in sectors where willingness to work and good organization are more important than formal education:
- Warehouses and logistics – order picking, repacking, preparing goods, shift work.
- Construction – general construction work, auxiliary work, renovation projects.
- Industrial production – operating production lines, assembly, quality control.
- Seasonal harvesting and horticulture – seasonal agricultural and harvesting work.
- Cleaning and maintenance – work in hotels, shopping centers, offices.
- Elderly care.
Advantages of working abroad
Working outside Poland can bring many benefits, especially for people without specialized qualifications:
- Higher earnings than in many regions of Poland for similar manual work,
- Professional and language experience that can increase one’s value on the labor market,
- The possibility of seasonal work or longer-term contracts,
- Access to insurance and social benefits (in EU countries),
- New contacts and development opportunities.
For many Poles, it is also a way to achieve financial goals faster or secure the future of their loved ones.
Challenges and what to keep in mind
Naturally, working abroad also involves certain difficulties, especially for those who go abroad without a recruitment agency or a prior agreement with an employer:
- Organizing life on site,
- Foreign language,
- Formalities,
- Separation from family or friends.
Despite these challenges, for many Poles working abroad remains an attractive career path and a way to improve living conditions.
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