Polish haulage companies have long recruited professional drivers from outside the European Union, making Poland an established starting point for European freight work. The hiring route involves several different documents, not just a job offer: work permits, a visa, Code 95 and frequently a driver attestation. This guide explains the stages and shows why Dieta payments need to be understood before accepting a salary package.
JOB DETAILS
See if you qualify
Three quick questions. This is a self-check, not an application, and no employer receives your answers.
This is an informational self-check only. It does not confirm job eligibility, immigration status, or an offer of employment. Always verify requirements with the employer and official sources.
Documents and next steps
Check the original job listing and prepare the documents the employer requests, such as experience letters, education records and any required language results.
Why Polish hauliers recruit abroad
Polish hauliers serve routes throughout Europe, and many have experience recruiting non-EU drivers to meet staffing needs. Established procedures can make overseas hiring more familiar than in markets that seldom use it. Even so, a company’s recruitment history does not establish that its pay, conditions or contract are fair; verify the business independently.
What truck drivers earn in Poland
One recruitment source reports that drivers earn between about €1,500 and €2,400 a month, depending on route and experience. Treat this as an indication and not as an offer. The pay structure itself deserves close attention.
- Base salary: What it is: The contracted wage, often modest; What to ask: What is the gross figure on my contract?.
- Dieta: What it is: Daily allowance for days spent abroad; What to ask: What rate applies, and is it guaranteed?.
- Bonuses: What it is: Payments for kilometres or performance; What to ask: How is this calculated, and when can it be withheld?.
- Deductions: What it is: Housing, fines or training repayments; What to ask: Which deductions can you make?.
In Poland, a large share of a long-distance driver’s income can come from per-diem allowances. These affect your total pay, but they may count differently for pensions, loans and sick pay. Ask for a written example of a typical month, so that you can see both the gross pay and what you will actually receive.
Common job types
- International long-haul driver: Weeks on the road across Europe, then time off
- Domestic C+E driver: Routes within Poland, often home more often
- Refrigerated transport driver: Temperature-controlled loads with strict timing
- Tautliner driver: General freight with curtain-side trailers
- Container driver: Port and rail terminal work
Your right to work: permits and visas
Citizens of EU and EEA countries do not need a work permit. Most other nationals do. Non-EU drivers typically need a Type A work permit, which the employer starts, followed by a national D visa or a temporary residence permit before beginning work.
- A Polish employer offers you a job.
- The employer applies for your work permit.
- You use the permit to apply for a national visa at a Polish consulate.
- You travel to Poland and sign your employment contract.
- You are registered for social insurance with ZUS.
- You complete your licensing and professional steps.
- Later, you may apply for a temporary residence card.
Poland changed parts of its rules for employing foreigners from June 2025, with new reporting duties for employers. A permit is typically tied to one employer, so changing jobs typically requires a new permit.
Your right to drive: the licence and Code 95
You need the right licence category, which for articulated trucks is C+E, and you need the professional qualification known as Code 95.
- EU and EEA licence holders carry Code 95 on their licence
- Non-EU drivers without an EU licence can obtain a Polish Driver Qualification Card, which carries Code 95
- One source says training takes between 140 and 280 hours, depending on the variant
- Refresher training is required every five years, 35 hours in total
- Medical and psychological examinations are commonly required
Many hauliers organize this training, and some pay for it. Find out exactly who pays, and whether you would have to repay the cost if you leave the company early.
The driver attestation
This is the document that many foreign drivers overlook. A non-EU driver carrying goods internationally for a Polish operator needs a driver attestation, known in Polish as Świadectwo Kierowcy. The employer must obtain it. Without it, you cannot legally perform international transport, however many other documents you hold.
- Work permit: Who arranges it: Employer; Purpose: Right to work for that employer.
- National visa: Who arranges it: You, with employer support; Purpose: Right to enter and stay.
- Driver Qualification Card: Who arranges it: You or employer; Purpose: Shows Code 95.
- Driver attestation: Who arranges it: Employer; Purpose: Allows international work for non-EU drivers.
- Tachograph card: Who arranges it: You, with employer support; Purpose: Records driving activity.
Language and everyday practicalities
International companies may employ dispatchers who speak Russian, English or other languages, but you should still learn some Polish. Your contract, payslips and official letters will frequently be in Polish, so never sign something that you cannot understand. Ask for a translation or independent help.
Road rules you must know
Drivers in the EU must follow rules on driving time and rest periods, recorded by a digital tachograph. The Mobility Package has introduced additional rules on returning home and on where drivers may spend their weekly rest. From 1 July 2026, certain international freight operations with light commercial vehicles have also come under driving-time rules. Fines for breaches can be substantial, and some companies try to pass them on to drivers, so check what your contract says.
How to judge a Polish employer
- Check that the company is registered and has an active transport licence
- Search for reviews from drivers, while remembering that online reviews can be unreliable
- Ask to speak with another foreign driver who works there
- Find out the age and condition of the trucks
- Ask how many weeks on the road and how many days off
- Find out where you will stay while waiting for your documents
Warning signs
- Fees for a job or work permit paid to a middleman
- A request to hand over your passport
- Instructions to enter on a tourist visa and start work
- Vague promises about “good money” with no written calculation
- A contract that differs from what you were promised
- Large penalties if you leave within a set period
Keep copies of all your documents, and never give anyone your original passport. If you are forced to work or your documents are held, contact your embassy and the Polish labour inspectorate.
Does Poland lead to other EU countries?
Some drivers treat Poland as a stepping stone. Qualifications obtained there can be recognized across the EU, but a Polish work permit only allows you to work for your Polish employer. Moving to a company based in another country requires permission from that country. Be wary of recruiters who suggest that a Polish permit lets you work anywhere in Europe.
Long-term options
After several years of lawful residence in Poland, some foreigners can apply for long-term status, subject to income, insurance, accommodation and language requirements. Time spent driving abroad can complicate how your residence is counted, so get advice about this if you are planning to stay.
Budget before you travel
Even when an employer pays for training, you should have money set aside. Expect costs for your passport, visa, translations, medical tests, travel and basic living expenses until your first pay arrives. Find out when the first salary will be paid, because the period before your documents are ready might be unpaid or paid at a lower rate.
Questions to ask before you sign
Hauliers that are used to foreign staff should be able to answer these without hesitation. If the answers are vague, or if they change between messages, treat that as useful information about how the company works.
- How many weeks will I spend on the road before each rest period?
- Who pays for my travel to the truck and back home?
- Am I paid while I wait for my attestation and Code 95?
- Will my contract be translated into a language I read?
- How is the daily allowance calculated in a month with fewer trips?
- What is the notice period, and what do I owe if I leave early?
Request the answers by email or message, so that you have a record. A written answer can be useful later if there is a dispute over pay or training costs.
Our assessment
Poland has an established history of hiring non-EU truck drivers, but working conditions, time away and pay components require careful review. Make the written contract your reference point and verify that the employer arranges the relevant permits and driver attestation.
Frequently asked questions
Do non-EU drivers need a work permit?
Typically yes, typically a Type A permit obtained by the employer, along with a visa or residence permit.
Can I get Code 95 in Poland?
Yes. Non-EU drivers can obtain a Polish Driver Qualification Card through approved training.
What is dieta?
A daily allowance for working abroad. It can make up a large part of a long-distance driver’s income.
Can I change employers?
Typically you need a new permit from the new employer.
Who gets the driver attestation?
Your employer does, and you need it for international haulage as a non-EU driver.
Can I bring my family?
Some residence permits allow family reunification, depending on income, housing and your status.