Foreign residents in Poland reach two million, 5% of population
Poland now has two million foreigners with valid residence permits, representing 5% of the population. Ukrainians remain the largest group, followed by Belarusians and Indians.
The number of foreigners holding valid residence permits in Poland has reached two million for the first time, according to data released by the government's Office for Foreigners on April 25, 2026. With a total population of around 37.5 million, foreign residents now make up just over 5% of Poland's residents.
Who makes up Poland's foreign population
Ukrainians remain by far the largest national group, bolstered by the mass arrival of refugees after Russia's 2022 invasion. Belarusians are the second-largest group, followed by Indians in third place. Poland issued more first residence permits to non-EU immigrants than any other EU member state for six consecutive years between 2017 and 2022, cementing its status as a major destination for work migration in Europe.
What this means for you as a foreigner
You're part of a large and growing expat community. The two-million milestone reflects Poland's openness to foreign workers and students, though the current government has tightened visa and work permit rules compared to previous years. Services for foreigners—from multilingual municipal offices to English-speaking accountants—are increasingly available in major cities. If you're considering a move to Poland or extending your stay, you'll find an established infrastructure for foreign residents, though competition for housing and administrative appointments in popular cities like Warsaw and Kraków can be intense.
