In the first half of this year, 823,000 documents allowing foreigners to work legally in Poland were issued, 11% fewer than a year earlier. Nevertheless, in July, the number of foreigners registered with the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) increased by nearly 8,000, reaching 1.25 million, reports Rzeczpospolita.
More and More Foreigners in Poland
As Rz points out, the share of foreigners among those registered with ZUS has risen: at the end of June, it was 7.6%, compared to 7.3% at the end of 2024.
Colombians are forming an increasingly significant group of workers in Poland. At the end of July, 17,900 were listed in the ZUS registers, placing them fifth after Ukrainians, Belarusians, Georgians, and Indians. They also received the highest number of work permits, 21,500, in the first half of the year.
Data shows that at the end of July, 824,500 Ukrainian citizens were working in Poland, 37,000 more than at the end of 2024.
According to Rz, the situation of Ukrainians may be affected by President Karol Nawrocki’s decision to veto the law on assistance for Ukrainian citizens. He justified this in part by the belief that the “800 plus” benefit should only go to those who take up employment in Poland.
The newspaper also cites data indicating an increase in crimes among Colombians. In 2022, there were 7 cases; this year, 48 Colombians were caught driving under the influence, another 12 took part in brawls, and six will face charges of gang rape. Last year, two citizens of that country committed murder, and this year, one.