Poland Issues Third-Most Residence Permits in EU; Foreign Population Surpasses 2 Million
Poland issued the third-highest number of residence permits in the European Union in 2025, with the foreign resident population now exceeding 2 million people — roughly 5% of the national population — led by 1.5 million Ukrainians.
Poland has crossed a demographic milestone: the number of foreign nationals holding residence permits has surpassed 2 million for the first time, placing the country third in the EU for residence permit issuance. The data, released in September 2026, reflects a decade of unprecedented migration since 2014.
Ukrainians make up the largest share at approximately 1.5 million, but the fastest-growing foreign worker populations are now Colombians and Indians, who rank third and fourth respectively among all foreign nationalities. In June 2026 alone, foreigners working in Poland reached 1.14 million, representing nearly 7% of the total workforce.
Key Numbers
- Total foreign residents with permits: 2+ million (5% of population)
- Ukrainian residents: ~1.5 million
- Foreign workers (June 2026): 1.14 million (7% of workforce)
- Fastest-growing nationalities: Colombian and Indian workers
For expats and families planning a move to Poland, this data underscores both the country's established immigration infrastructure and the ongoing demographic shift. If you're applying for a residence permit, you should be aware that major urban centers—particularly Warsaw—are experiencing higher processing backlogs due to volume. The government's recent digitalization of the MOS system (residence permit portal) and implementation of stricter eligibility rules are aimed at managing this influx efficiently.
Sources
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