Welder Jobs in Poland 2026: Requirements, Permits & Pay

Welder jobs in Poland in 2026 are in strong demand in shipbuilding, steel structures, pipelines, manufacturing, and construction, with employers in Gdansk, Gdynia, Szczecin, Katowice, Wroclaw, and Poznan recruiting welders for MIG, MAG, TIG, and stick welding. Non-EU welders are normally employed through an employer-sponsored work permit, and the decisive hiring factor is proven skill: valid EN ISO 9606-1 certification for the method and position, plus a practical weld test that meets the required quality standard. Experience, the ability to read technical drawings, and a record of safe, quality work matter more than general claims, and employers test welders rather than taking certificates at face value.

Pay depends on method, certification, shift pattern, and project. As a broad guide, welder pay commonly falls in the region of PLN 6,000 to PLN 10,000 a month gross, with higher pay for TIG welders, pipe welders, and welders working shifts, overtime, or on specialist projects, and lower pay for basic structural welding with limited certification. Some employers provide accommodation, transport, or meal allowances, which affect the real value of an offer, so compare gross pay, net pay, hours, and allowances together, and confirm the contract terms in writing before travelling.

Shipyard welders in Gdansk, Gdynia, and Szczecin work on hull blocks, decks, pipes, and outfitting, often in physically demanding conditions with strict quality and safety controls. The work includes reading drawings, preparing joints, setting welding parameters, completing welds in flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions, and checking work against visual and non-destructive testing standards. Shipyard projects run to tight schedules, and welders must follow hot work permits, ventilation rules, and permit-to-work systems, especially in confined spaces and at height.

The core credential is EN ISO 9606-1 qualification for fusion welding of steels and other materials, which records the welding process, material group, thickness range, welding position, and validity period. Employers check the certificate, the test pieces, and the approving body, and they commonly require a fresh practical test in their own workshop or on site, because a certificate alone does not prove current skill. Welders should bring original certificates, a record of recent work, and, where available, non-destructive testing results or employer references that confirm the quality of their welds.

Keep certifications in date and renew before expiry, because lapsed certification can delay a start or limit the work you are allowed to do. Additional qualifications, such as EN ISO 9606-2 for aluminium, pressure equipment experience, or offshore and underwater welding training, open specialist and higher-paid roles but require specific training and medical standards. Be honest about the methods and positions you can weld to standard: claiming a TIG pipe qualification you cannot demonstrate will fail at the practical test and damage your reputation with the employer and agency.

Poland issues work permits through the voivode, the regional governor, on the application of the employer, with Type A permits covering employment by a Polish employer as the most common route for welders. Citizens of certain countries may also be employed on the basis of a declaration on entrusting work to a foreigner for shorter periods, while longer employment often leads to a temporary residence and work permit, the single permit that combines residence and work authorisation. The employer must show the terms of employment, and the worker applies for a national D visa or residence card with the required documents, including passport, health insurance, and proof of accommodation.

Processing times vary by voivodeship and season, and welders should not travel to start work until the permit and visa position is confirmed. Confirm in writing who applies for the permit, who pays the fees, what the contract salary and hours are, and whether accommodation and transport are included. Avoid intermediaries who demand large upfront fees, promise a permit without a named employer, or refuse to show the employment contract and permit application. A genuine employer or authorised agency will name the workplace, explain the permit route, and allow time for document checks.

Gdansk and Gdynia dominate shipyard and marine welding, with large yards and subcontractors recruiting throughout the year, while Szczecin serves shipbuilding and steel work in the north-west. Katowice and the Silesian region offer manufacturing, steel, and energy work, Wroclaw and Poznan offer manufacturing and construction, and Warsaw offers construction and infrastructure projects with higher living costs. Coastal and industrial cities may offer employer accommodation or housing help, which matters because rents in Gdansk, Wroclaw, and Warsaw have risen, while smaller towns offer lower rents with fewer specialist projects.

Apply with a welder CV that names the methods you are certified for, using process numbers such as 135, 136, 141, and 111, the material groups and positions covered, the validity dates of your certificates, and the projects and employers where you used them. Add photos or records of your work only where the employer asks, include references from supervisors who can confirm weld quality, and state your availability, language ability, and willingness to take a practical test. At the practical test, work safely, follow the welding procedure specification, check your settings and materials, and present clean, well-prepared joints, because examiners judge preparation and safety as well as the finished weld.

Accept only a written contract that names the employer, workplace, welding duties, salary, hours, accommodation terms, and permit route, and ask about induction, safety training, tools and protective equipment provided, and support in your first weeks. A good employer will explain the quality standard, the test regime, and the progression to higher-paid work as your certification and experience grow. If you are ready to apply, search for suitable welder roles on SteadStaff, where applying as a candidate is free and SteadStaff never charges candidates, and employers can explore hiring support through steadstaff.com. Valid certification, a clean safety record, and honest evidence of your welding ability will put you ahead of applicants who rely on certificates alone.