Former PM Proposes Work Visa Caps and Migration Overhaul
Mateusz Morawiecki and his parliamentary club unveiled a sweeping migration reform proposal on August 19, capping annual work visas at 35,000–50,000 and introducing mandatory Polish language requirements under threat of deportation.
Former Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki and members of the Rozwój Plus parliamentary club have announced an ambitious migration policy reform titled "The Safest Country in the World: A Project for Polish Migration Management Policy." The proposal, unveiled on August 19, 2026, represents one of the most comprehensive migration reform packages put forward in recent Polish history.
Key Proposed Changes
- Annual work visa caps of 35,000–50,000 for non-EU nationals, giving the state direct control over labour migration volume
- Mandatory Polish language assimilation with threat of deportation for non-compliance
- Dedicated deportation service modeled on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
- "Return to Poland" program offering 50% income tax reduction for five years, plus housing and loan benefits, to address brain drain
While these are proposals rather than enacted law, they reflect significant pressure within Poland's political establishment to tighten migration rules further. The Interior Minister already has authority under Article 114a of Poland's Foreigners Act to set annual limits on temporary residence and work permits in specific circumstances, though this power has rarely been exercised.
What this means for you: If you're a non-EU worker or planning to relocate to Poland, monitor parliamentary developments closely. Visa caps—if enacted—could slow processing or restrict sector eligibility. Even as proposals, such policies signal a shift toward stricter selectivity in Poland's approach to foreign talent, focusing on high-skilled workers and EU/culturally similar migrants while raising barriers for others.
Sources
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