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How to acquire the status of a job seeker?

This article is written according to the legal status current as of: 2024-01-12

If you do not meet the requirements required for the unemployed status, you can register in the labour office as a job seeker.

The term job seeker refers to a person who is seeking employment, other paid work or a form of an aid guaranteed by the Act and who is registered in the district labour office.

A job seeker can be registered in more than one labour office.

Foreigners intending to perform or performing work within the territory of the Republic of Poland, may register in a labour office as a job seekers if they:

  • are citizens of the European Union Member States,
  • are citizens of the European Economic Area countries not belonging to the European Union,
  • are citizens of countries, which are not parties to the agreement on the European Economic Area, but who can enjoy the freedom of movement of persons based on agreements concluded by these countries with the European Community and its Member States,
  • have the status of a refugee in the Republic of Poland,
  • have a settlement permit for the Republic of Poland,
  • have a long-term resident’s EC residence permit granted by Republic of Poland,
  • have a residence permit for a fixed period for the Republic of Poland, granted in connection with the circumstances referred to in Article 53(1) point 13 of the Act of 13 June 2003 on foreigners ,
  • have a residence permit for a fixed period in the Republic of Poland, as family members of the foreigner referred to in Article 53(1) point 13 or Article 54 of the Act of 13 June 2003 on foreigners,
  • have a consent for tolerated stay in the Republic of Poland,
  • enjoy temporary protection in the Republic of Poland,
  • apply for a refugee status in the Republic of Poland and spouses, on whose behalf they apply for the refugee status, and persons who have a certificate issued on the basis of Article 36 of the Act of 13 June 2003 on granting protection to foreigners within the territory of the Republic of Poland.
  • were granted supplementary protection in the Republic of Poland.

A job seeker status may be acquired also by foreigners – family members of foreigners referred to in the above list, mentioned in the first three points.

Legal basis

Act of 20 April 2004 on Employment Promotion and Labour Market Institutions

Development: Editorial team of Zielona Linia


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