All about the working holiday in Poland!
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005 (medical expenses, hospitalization, repatriation…).
Between 18 and 30 or 35 years old
A valid passport for the entire duration of your working holiday
Enough to support yourself
This must be your first participation
Comprehensive health insurance
Apply before the annual quota is reached
01. What is the Working Holiday Visa?
WHVs are bilateral accords signed between governments to promote youth mobility and cultural exchange. Participating countries allow young adults to spend a set period of time (usually one year) living and working abroad. Most of the accords are signed between countries in Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and East Asia. A WHV encourages cultural exchange alongside the chance to gain valuable work experience, though participants are not obligated to work.
02. Which nationalities are eligible?
Young adults from the following countries can apply for the WHV to Poland:
Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan.
04. What documents are required for the application?
Standard items include:
- Completed application form
- Passport
- ID photos (3.5 x 4.5 cm)
- Adequate health insurance
- Proof of sufficient funds
Additional items may be required. Check the details for your nationality (D-Type national visa):
05. How long is the visa good for?
The WHV allows holders to stay up to one year in Poland.
06. Are there any work restrictions?
Australians can work in Poland for up to six months with each employer (guidance received via email from Consulate General of Poland in Sydney in June 2024).
This restriction does not apply to Canadians.
Other nationalities should confirm with their respective Polish consulate or embassy.
07. How long is the processing time?
According to Polish authorities: the decision on the issue of a visa is made within 15 working days from the payment date of application fee. If the documents need to be examined in more detail, the consideration period may be extended to 30 days.
08. Do I need to buy health insurance?
Yes. Your insurance must be valid for the full year. Coverage amount must be at least €30,000. It should cover at least medical, hospitalisation, and repatriation.
09. What is pvtistes.net and how can it help me?
We are a team of current and former working holiday makers dedicated to providing free information and resources about the working holiday in Poland and other destinations. Read our helpful articles, leave comments if you have questions, and check out our special deals.
We don't ask for any money, and neither should anyone else in your application process (besides the embassy/consulate and their official partners). Be very careful of online scams where someone might ask you for an exorbitant amount to help you get your visa. Working Holiday Visas are designed to be relatively easy to obtain yourself, so there is absolutely no need to pay any professional service to do it on your behalf.
10. Where can I apply?
Application steps for all nationalities:
1. Go to the e-Konsulat portal, select your language.
2. Type in your country name and pick a consulate (if there is more than one).
3. On the left of the screen, click on National Visa - Register form. The WHV is a D-Type visa.
4. Pick an appointment slot and start your application. Bring your supporting documents to the appointment.
Additional resources:
As mentioned earlier, all working holiday makers must have health insurance for the duration of their WHV.
Your insurance must be valid for the full year. Coverage amount must be at least €30,000. It should cover at least medical, hospitalisation, and repatriation.
We’ve been recommending Globe WHV since 2005. They have covered thousands of working holiday makers over the years.
- Chapter 5: Getting WHV health insurance
- Everything You Need to Know About Insurance for Working Holiday and Other Adventures Abroad
- What to have in your Working Holiday adventure first-aid kit
Poland’s currency is the Polish złoty (PLN). There are two main ways to open a foreign-currency account: via 1) a traditional bank or 2) an online neo-bank. Traditional banks usually require you to already be in the country. You would have to make and attend an appointment where a representative would ask you for some documents.
If you want to have a PLN debit card in hand before even arriving in Poland, you may want to consider the second option, an online neo-bank like Wise. It is an app that offers multi-currency financial services. Customers receive a physical debit card that can be used to withdraw cash at local ATMs. Your PLN account would also have its own routing and account numbers, so you can set up autopay, direct deposits, or transfer money to recipients in Poland. These capabilities could be useful in exchanges with your employer or landlord. You can register from your home country or once you arrive in Poland. Learn more about Wise.
There are advantages to both options. Wise registration is simple and quick, but traditional banks offer the possibility of issuing and depositing cheques, if that is something you need. So you could make a Wise account first and then a traditional account once you arrive in Poland.
Once your application is approved, you’ll need to think about where to live, especially in the first few days and weeks. If you are planning on renting long term housing, we recommend you wait until you arrive in Poland before paying a deposit or signing anything. Never send money to anyone without seeing the place in person.
For your first couple of weeks, you could consider Airbnb or hotels. But the most affordable option is going to be youth hostels. You can find some great ones on Hostelworld.
- Chapter 6: Booking housing for your arrival
- 7 Tips for finding housing during your working holiday abroad
- Couchsurfing Abroad
After you get your visa, you will have plenty of things to take care of. Some of them are more urgent than others, so this list breaks down your to-dos, starting with the most urgent to the least. It may seem like a lot, but don’t worry, one step at a time!
As you prepare for your working holiday in Poland, check out our library of free articles and guides. Everyone on the pvtistes.net team has done (or is currently on) a working holiday, and so everything we write is from personal experience.
This is also the perfect chance to learn or polish up on… Polish! Babbel is partnering with pvtistes.net to offer 20% off on language courses (learn more). Also check out our some other deals for working holiday makers.
All applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old (inclusive, ie until the day before their 31st birthday).
Exception: Canadian applicants can be up to 35 years old.
You must hold a valid passport, issued not earlier than 10 years prior to the submission of the visa application, with at least 2 blank pages, and which must remain valid for a period of not less than 90 days after the end of the intended stay.
You must show that you will be able to support yourself.
- Australians: at least AU$50 per day (guidance received via email from Consulate General of Poland in Sydney in June 2024)
- Canadians: at least 800 PLN per month of stay (source, the YMP Declaration)
- New Zealanders: at least 20 PLN a day and 2500 PLN for return ticket (guidance received via email from Embassy of Poland in Wellington in June 2024)
See our chapter on budgeting for an idea of how much more savings you should have for a working holiday.
This must be your first participation. If you have already been in Poland on a WHV, then you cannot apply again.
Your insurance must be valid for the full year. Coverage amount must be at least €30,000. It should cover at least medical, hospitalisation, and repatriation.
Apply before the annual quota is reached. Poland sets an annual quota by nationality for the number of WHVs issued.
- Argentina: 400
- Australia: 1500
- Canada: 635
- Chile: no limit
- Japan: 500
- New Zealand: 100
- South Korea: 200
- Taiwan: 200
Source
Quotas may change slightly year to year.