Inspections and sanctions · Employing foreigners

Inspections by the Labour Inspectorate and Border Guard — how they proceed and how to prepare

Published: 21 August 2026 · Author: Dariusz Włodarczyk Kancelaria TRC · Reading time: approx. 6 min

Inspections of the legality of foreigners' employment are often unannounced and joint. We explain who inspects, how an inspection proceeds and how to prepare for it.

1. Who inspects

The legality of assigning and performing work by foreigners is inspected primarily by the National Labour Inspectorate and the Border Guard. The new act expanded their powers.

2. How an inspection proceeds

An inspection may be unannounced, and the Labour Inspectorate and Border Guard may act jointly. Inspectors verify the grounds for work, contracts, notifications and whether the conditions match the documents.

Powers of the Labour Inspectorate: an inspector may, among other things, impose a fine of up to PLN 10,000 for offences under the act.

3. Rights and obligations of the inspected party

The inspected party is obliged to make documents available and provide explanations; it also has procedural rights (e.g. to submit objections to the report). It is worth knowing the scope of the authority's powers.

4. How to prepare

Tip: prepare a complete set of documents in advance — see checklist before an inspection.
Show more: what an inspector checks most often

What an inspector checks most often

Typically: whether there are grounds for work, whether the contract matches the legalisation document, whether the contract and notification were submitted to the office, whether notifications to the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) were made, and whether the worker's stay is legal.

Expecting an inspection? We'll prepare you for it

We will check your documentation and the compliance of the employment with the regulations, and advise you on how to conduct yourself during an inspection.

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Legal notice: this article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal status: 2026 (Act of 20 March 2025, Journal of Laws 2025 item 621; Act on the National Labour Inspectorate).

Sources: Act of 20 March 2025, Journal of Laws 2025 item 621; pip.gov.pl, Border Guard. The above discussion reflects our own analysis; the cited provisions should be verified against the current text of the act before taking action.