Informative Materials – Poland

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1 Informative Materials – Poland
1.1 Recognition of skills and qualifications acquired through non-formal and informal learning
1.2 Information for foreigners who want to work as caregivers in Poland
1.2.1 Recognition of education obtained in home country’; Recognition of skills and qualifications acquired through non-formal and informal learning
1.2.2 Recognition of foreign professional qualifications in Poland
1.3 Employment conditions in Poland; recognition procedures for the purpose of work; language requirements; employment regulations
1.4 Specific training for people who come from specific countries to Poland (as low-skilled foreigners)
1.5 Information on earning
1.6 Job offers
1.7 Some statistic data
1.8 Link to relevant websites in country
1.9 Useful materials
1.10 References

Recognition of skills and qualifications acquired through non-formal and informal learning

There are no formal requirements for a senior caregiver in Poland, i.e. you can legally perform this work without any professional or educational qualifications. However, most of the agencies that recruit caregivers require the following:

  • experience, it includes that gained while taking care of a family member
  • driving license
  • good physical health
  • soft skills, especially empathy, communication skills, patience
  • having medical qualifications (physiotherapist, doctor, nurse) is considered a huge advantage

The Polish Ministry of Family and Social Policy recognizes the profession of the elderly caregiver as a formal job. It has included it in the list of occupations along with a detailed description of what kind of qualifications such a person should have – description of senior caregiver. As a result, you can obtain formal education as a senior caregiver at a post-secondary vocational or private school. The duration of such a program is 2 years, and you will obtain a certificate at level 4 of EQF. Below, you can find an example of a school that provides such a program: Training for caregiver

Information for foreigners who want to work as caregivers in Poland

Recognition of education obtained in home country’; Recognition of skills and qualifications acquired through non-formal and informal learning

In Poland, certificates, diplomas, or other educational documents that validate the completion of secondary education in European Union, European Economic Area (EEA), or OECD member states, along with the eligibility to apply for higher education programs in the issuing country, are recognized automatically, without the need for additional procedures. This implies that individuals holding certificates, diplomas, or other documents recognized in Poland by law can submit them directly to a university, higher education institution, or employer without being required by Polish authorities to undergo additional recognition, confirmation or procedures. Nonetheless, it is important to note that each Polish university sets its own admission criteria. Therefore, it would be beneficial for a candidate holding a foreign diploma to directly contact the preferred higher education institution in Poland to obtain specific information and guidance.

If you require a recognition statement, you can submit such a request here: How to obtain a recognition statement – NAWA

If you obtained your education outside of the EU, EFTA member states or Switzerland, please visit: Recognition for professional purposes | study.gov.pl

Recognition of foreign professional qualifications in Poland

If the occupation you intend to pursue is not regulated in Poland, the responsibility for recognizing your foreign qualifications lies with the employer. The employer may request proof of the comparability of your educational credentials with the relevant Polish qualifications or an assessment of the level of education attained abroad.

If you want to see which profession is regulated, please see the below link: regulated professions in Poland

Employment conditions in Poland; recognition procedures for the purpose of work; language requirements; employment regulations

For employment conditions of EU citizens see: Living and working conditions: POLAND (Europa.eu)),

For employment conditions of third-country nationals see: Entry-stay-and-working-conditions-in-Poland

For regulations concerning the recognition of education for the purpose of work, see: the recognition process

Language requirements: it is strongly recommended for people who provide services to others to have a good command of the Polish language”.

Opportunities to learn Polish language:

Specific training for people who come from specific countries to Poland (as low-skilled foreigners)

In general there is no specific training for persons who come from specific countries to Poland. However, there are trainings for Ukrainian refugees conducted locally. Please see an example below: Szkolenia zawodowe dla uchodźców z Ukrainy

Information on earning

The median earnings of a senior caregiver in Poland are 820€ gross/month. This amount varies based on location and years of experience.

Senior caregiver with a nursing background earns 25% more on average (Worldsalaries, 2023).

Job offers

  • https://opiekaseniora.pl/
  • https://www.veritas-opieka.pl/
  • https://www.opiekunki.pl/

Some statistic data

Across 32 OECD countries, there is an average of five long-term care (LTC) workers per 100 individuals aged 65 and older, on average. Poland has less than 1 LTC worker per 100 individuals in this age group.

The number of individuals receiving home care services is over 94,000, based on data from 2016. This figure represents slightly more than 1% of the population of individuals aged 60 and above.

It clearly indicates that Poland suffers from a lack of trained LTC workers.

More than 80% of seniors receive care from informal caregivers (family members)

Link to relevant websites in country

Useful materials

References