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When traveling to Poland, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require work authorization. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.
As a business visitor to Poland, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:
In most cases, foreign nationals are advised to only engage in business activities for up to 30 calendar days as there are limits placed on the permitted period of stay depending on the specific activity and job title. An individual assessment is recommended prior to travel to determine the advisable period of time that the activities may be conducted.
If I qualify as a business visitor, do I need a visa for Poland?
Nationals of the European Union, the United States and many other select countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa in order to enter and conduct business activities in Poland.
Poland is a member of the Schengen Area, a free-travel zone comprised of 29 European countries. If your nationality is not eligible for a visa waiver in the Schengen Area, you will be required to obtain a Schengen Visa prior to travel. Visa-waivered nationals, as well as those who are required to obtain a visa, are authorized to travel to Poland and throughout the Schengen Area. Please note that travelers may not spend more than 90 days within any 180-day period inside the Schengen Area.
The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Polish law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in Poland, even if conducted for a short duration.
Poland does offer short-term work authorization exemptions for certain activities and groups of foreign nationals, including short-term and technical activities, without obtaining work authorization. An individual assessment by an immigration consultant is recommended in order to determine whether a foreign national is eligible for one of the short-term work authorization exemptions.
The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work and on whether your employer has an entity in Poland. The most common types of Polish work authorization are:
Nationals from the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland are not required to obtain a work permit in order to work in Poland. However, registrations or other formalities may be required prior to working or residing in Poland.
Additional long-term work authorization exemptions are available in Poland for certain groups including permanent residents and students. In these cases, a legal assessment to determine the possibilities for a work authorization exemption should be obtained prior to traveling.
The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), which governs post-Brexit relations between the EU and the U.K., has altered immigration regulations in the affected countries. Please be sure to contact your immigration representative for full details regarding the TCA’s impact in Poland.
Inevitably, the legal and strategic considerations impacting visa selection, as well as visa waiver and work authorization eligibility, entail the careful consideration of many factors. We recommend that you consult with your immigration counsel before taking any course of action.
When traveling to Luxembourg, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require work authorization. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.
As a business visitor to Luxembourg, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:
Nationals of the European Union, the United States and many other select countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa in order to enter and conduct business activities in Luxembourg.
Luxembourg is a member of the Schengen Area, a free-travel zone comprised of 29 European countries. If your nationality is not eligible for a visa waiver in the Schengen Area, you will be required to obtain a Schengen C Visa prior to travel. Visa-waivered nationals, as well as those who are required to obtain a visa, are authorized to travel to Luxembourg and throughout the Schengen Area. Please note that travelers may not spend more than 90 days within any 180-day period inside the Schengen Area.
The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Luxembourg law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in Luxembourg, even if conducted for a short duration.
In limited circumstances, foreign nationals may engage in certain professional activities without obtaining work authorization, although strict preconditions must be met. An individual assessment is required before deciding whether an exemption is applicable.
The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work and on whether your employer has an entity in Luxembourg. The most common types of work authorization for Luxembourg are:
Nationals from the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland are not required to obtain work authorization in order to work in Luxembourg. However, registrations or other formalities may be required prior to working or residing in Luxembourg.
Additional work authorization exemptions are available in Luxembourg under Vander Elst rules. In this case, a legal assessment to determine the possibilities for a work authorization exemption should be obtained prior to traveling.
The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), which governs post-Brexit relations between the EU and the U.K., has altered immigration regulations in the affected countries. Please be sure to contact your immigration representative for full details regarding the TCA’s impact in Luxembourg.
When traveling to the Czech Republic, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require a work permit. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.
As a business visitor to the Czech Republic, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:
Nationals of the European Union, the United States and many other select countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa in order to enter and conduct business activities in the Czech Republic.
The Czech Republic is a member of the Schengen Area, a free-travel zone comprised of 29 European countries. If your nationality is not eligible for a visa waiver in the Schengen Area, you will be required to obtain a Schengen Short-Term Business Visa prior to travel. Visa-waivered nationals, as well as those who are required to obtain a visa, are authorized to travel to the Czech Republic and throughout the Schengen Area. Please note that travelers may not spend more than 90 days within any 180-day period inside the Schengen Area.
The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Czech law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in the Czech Republic, even if conducted for a short duration.
In limited circumstances, foreign nationals may engage in certain specialized professional and technical activities without obtaining a work permit for a short period, although an after-sales agreement and additional preconditions may be required. An individual assessment is required before deciding whether a work permit exemption is applicable.
The requirements for a work permit depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work and on whether your employer has an entity in the Czech Republic. The most common types of Czech work permits are:
Nationals from the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland are not required to obtain work authorization in order to work in the Czech Republic. However, registrations or other formalities may be required prior to working or residing in the Czech Republic.
Additional work permit exemptions are available in the Czech Republic for qualifying groups, including graduates of Czech universities and pedagogical workers teaching in the Czech Republic. In these cases, a legal assessment to determine the possibilities for work permit exemptions should be obtained prior to traveling.
The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), which governs post-Brexit relations between the EU and the United Kingdom, has altered immigration regulations in the affected countries. Please be sure to contact your immigration representative for full details regarding the TCA’s impact in the Czech Republic.
When traveling to Sweden, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require work authorization. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.
As a business visitor to Sweden, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:
Nationals of the European Union, the United States and many other countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa in order to enter and conduct business activities in Sweden.
Sweden is a member of the Schengen Area, a free-travel zone comprised of 29 European countries. If your nationality is not among those listed as visa-waivered in the Schengen Area, you will be required to obtain a Schengen Visa prior to travel. Visa-waivered nationals, as well as those who are required to obtain a visa, are authorized to travel to Sweden and throughout the Schengen Area. Please note that travelers may not spend more than 90 days within any 180-day period inside the Schengen Area.
The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Swedish law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in Sweden, even if conducted for a short duration.
In limited circumstances, business travelers may engage in specialized professional and technical activities without obtaining work authorization for a limited duration, though additional eligibility criteria may apply. An individual assessment is required before deciding whether a work authorization exemption is appropriate.
The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work and on whether your employer has an entity in Sweden. The most common types of work authorization in Sweden are:
Nationals from the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland are not required to obtain work authorization in order to work in Sweden. However, registrations or other formalities may be required prior to working or residing in Sweden.
Additional work authorization exemptions are available in Sweden for qualifying groups, including students as well as residents of the European Union, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland. In these cases, a legal assessment to determine the possibilities for work authorization exemptions should be obtained prior to traveling.
The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), which governs post-Brexit relations between the EU and the U.K., has altered immigration regulations in the affected countries. Please be sure to contact your immigration representative for full details regarding the TCA’s impact in Sweden.
When traveling to Spain, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require work authorization. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.
As a business visitor to Spain, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:
If I qualify as a business visitor, do I need a visa for Spain?
Nationals of the European Union, United States, and many other select countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa in order to enter and conduct business activities in Spain.
Spain is a member of the Schengen Area, a free-travel zone comprised of 29 European countries. If your nationality is not eligible for a visa waiver in the Schengen Area, you will be required to obtain a Schengen C Visa prior to travel. Visa-waivered nationals, as well as those who are required to obtain a visa, are authorized to travel to Spain and throughout the Schengen Area. Please note that travelers may not spend more than 90 days within any 180-day period inside the Schengen Area.
The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Spanish law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in Spain, even if conducted for a short duration.
The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work and on whether your employer has an entity in Spain. Work authorization is granted under either the Entrepreneurs Act or the General Immigration Framework. Permits issued under the Entrepreneurs Act are subject to a streamlined immigration process; those ineligible under the Entrepreneurs Act must apply through the General Immigration Framework. The most common forms of work authorization in Spain issued under these categories are:
Entrepreneurs Act:
General Immigration Framework:
Nationals from the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland are not required to obtain work authorization in order to work in Spain. However, registrations or other formalities may be required prior to working or residing in Spain.
Additional work authorization exemptions are available in Spain for certain occupations and activities, as well as under Vander Elst (also called Van der Elst) rules. In this case, a legal assessment to determine the possibilities for a work authorization exemption should be obtained prior to traveling.
The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), which governs post-Brexit relations between the EU and the U.K., has altered immigration regulations in the affected countries. Please be sure to contact your immigration representative for full details regarding the TCA’s impact in Spain.
The Schengen Area is a contiguous, free-travel zone comprised of 29 European countries. The Schengen member states have eliminated border control at their common borders and share a common visa policy. Schengen Visa requirements and issuance procedures are the same throughout the region.
The 29 Schengen member states include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
Visa-waivered travel to the Schengen Area is based on nationality, and visa waivers are applied consistently by all member states. European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), and Swiss nationals are visa-waivered for travel to the Schengen Area. Additionally, nationals from the following countries are not required to obtain a Short-Stay C (Schengen) Visa to enter the Schengen member states: Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Holy See, Honduras, Hong Kong SAR, Israel, Japan, Macau SAR PRC, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Samoa, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, South Korea, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and The Grenadines, Taiwan, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United States, Uruguay, Vanuatu and Venezuela.
The following nationals are not required to obtain a Short-Stay C (Schengen) Visa to conduct business activities if in possession of a biometric passport: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova, Montenegro and Serbia.
Nationals who are not eligible for a visa waiver must apply for a Short-Stay Schengen C Visa at a Schengen member state consulate or embassy prior to travel.
Holders of Short-Stay C (Schengen) Visas, or travelers who are visa-waivered, are limited to a 90-day stay within any 180-day period in the (entire) Schengen Area. The 180-day period is calculated by counting backward from the visitor’s most recent date of entry into a Schengen country. Each subsequent entry creates a new 180-day calculation.
The region has produced a manual and an online calculator to help travelers keep track of their stay under the backward-counting method. Note, the calculator is a helping tool only, and does not constitute a right-to-stay for a period resulting from its calculation.
Because travel is free within the Schengen Area, there is a common misconception that rules regulating business activities are the same throughout the area. The Schengen countries remain sovereign, and the specific rules regarding activities are regulated by each country’s specific labor laws. It is important for employers and employees to be aware of the differences in regulations governing entry to the Schengen Area and work authorization in each specific member state. Furthermore, the specific rules regarding work authorization vary considerably from one member state to another. If you have questions regarding a specific country’s laws and how they regulate your travel, please seek advice from your immigration counsel.
When traveling to Portugal, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require work authorization. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.
As a business visitor to Portugal, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:
Nationals of the European Union, the United States and many other select countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa in order to enter and conduct business activities in Portugal.
Portugal is a member of the Schengen Area, a free-travel zone comprised of 29 European countries. If your nationality is not eligible for a visa waiver in the Schengen Area, you will be required to obtain a Schengen C Visa prior to travel. Visa-waivered nationals, as well as those who are required to obtain a visa, are authorized to travel to Portugal and throughout the Schengen Area. Please note that travelers may not spend more than 90 days within any 180-day period inside the Schengen Area.
The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Portuguese law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in Portugal, even if conducted for a short duration.
The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work and on whether your employer has an entity in Portugal. The most common types of work authorization for Portugal are:
Nationals from the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland are not required to obtain a work permit in order to work in Portugal. However, registrations or other formalities may be required prior to working or residing in Portugal.
The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), which governs post-Brexit relations between the EU and the U.K., has altered immigration regulations in the affected countries. Please be sure to contact your immigration representative for full details regarding the TCA’s impact in Portugal.
When traveling to the Netherlands, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if you require work authorization. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.
As a business visitor to the Netherlands, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:
Nationals of the European Union, the United States and many other select countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa to enter and conduct business activities in the Netherlands.
The Netherlands is a member of the Schengen Area, a free-travel zone comprised of 29 European countries. If your nationality is not eligible for a visa waiver in the Schengen Area, you will be required to obtain a Schengen C Visa prior to travel. Visa-waivered nationals, as well as those who are required to obtain a visa, are authorized to travel to the Netherlands and throughout the Schengen Area. Please note that travelers may not spend more than 90 days within any 180-day period inside the Schengen Area.
The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Dutch law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in the Netherlands, even if conducted for a short duration.
In limited circumstances, foreign nationals may engage in certain professional activities without obtaining work authorization, although strict preconditions must be met. An individual assessment is required to determine whether an exemption is applicable.
The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work and on whether your employer has an entity in the Netherlands. The most common types of work authorization for the Netherlands are:
Nationals from the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland are not required to obtain work authorization to work in the Netherlands. However, registrations or other formalities may be required prior to working or residing in the Netherlands.
Additional work authorization exemptions are available in the Netherlands under Vander Elst rules. In this case, a legal assessment to determine the possibilities for a work authorization exemption should be obtained prior to traveling.
The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), which governs post-Brexit relations between the EU and the United Kingdom, has altered immigration regulations in the affected countries. Please be sure to contact your immigration representative for full details regarding the TCA’s impact in the Netherlands.
When traveling to Italy, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip, will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if a work permit will be required. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.
As a business visitor to Italy, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:
Nationals of the European Union, the United States and many other select countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa to enter and conduct business activities in Italy.
Italy is a member of the Schengen Area, a free-travel zone comprised of 29 European countries. If your nationality is not eligible for a visa waiver in the Schengen Area, you will be required to obtain a Schengen C Visa prior to travel. Visa-waivered nationals, as well as those who are required to obtain a visa, are authorized to travel to Italy and throughout the Schengen Area. Please note that travelers may not spend more than 90 days within any 180-day period inside the Schengen Area.
The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Italian law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in Italy, even if conducted for a short duration.
In limited circumstances, foreign nationals may engage in specialized professional and technical activities without obtaining work authorization, though an after-sales agreement and additional eligibility criteria may apply. An individual assessment is required before deciding whether an exemption is applicable.
The requirements for a work permit depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work and on whether your employer has an entity in Italy. The most common Italian work permits are:
Nationals from the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland are not required to obtain a work permit to work in Italy. However, registrations or other formalities may be required prior to working or residing in Italy.
Additional work permit exemptions are available in Italy under Vander Elst rules. In this case, a legal assessment to determine the possibilities for a work permit exemption should be obtained prior to traveling.
The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), which governs post-Brexit relations between the EU and the United Kingdom, has altered immigration regulations in the affected countries. Please contact your immigration representative for full details regarding the potential impact of the TCA on travel to, and work in, Italy.
When traveling to Finland, your nationality and the types of activities you will conduct during your trip, will determine whether you may travel lawfully as a business visitor or if work authorization will be required. Please seek advice from your immigration counsel if you are uncertain about the specific types of activities that constitute business or work.
As a business visitor to Finland, you may engage in the activities below. While this list is not exhaustive and other activities could qualify as business, you may:
Nationals of the European Union, the United States and many other select countries are eligible for a visa waiver and are not required to obtain a visa to enter and conduct business activities in Finland.
Finland is a member of the Schengen Area, a free-travel zone comprised of 29 European countries. If your nationality is not eligible for a visa waiver in the Schengen Area, you will be required to obtain a Schengen Short-Stay Visa prior to travel. Visa-waivered nationals, as well as those who are required to obtain a visa, are authorized to travel to Finland and throughout the Schengen Area. Please note that travelers may not spend more than 90 days within any 180-day period inside the Schengen Area.
The activities below, whether paid or unpaid, generally constitute work under Finnish law. This list is not exhaustive, and many other professional activities are considered work in Finland, even if conducted for a short duration.
In limited circumstances and under various exemptions, foreign nationals may engage in specialized professional activities for a limited period without obtaining work authorization, although strict preconditions must be met. An individual assessment is required before deciding whether an assignment exemption is applicable.
The requirements for work authorization depend on your qualifications, on the nature and duration of your work and on whether your employer has an entity in Finland. The most common forms of work authorization for Finland are:
Nationals from the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland are not required to obtain a work permit to work in Finland. However, registrations or other formalities may be required prior to working or residing in Finland.
Additional work permit exemptions are available in Finland under Vander Elst rules. In this case, a legal assessment to determine the possibilities for a work permit exemption should be obtained prior to traveling.
The Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA), which governs post-Brexit relations between the EU and the United Kingdom, has altered immigration regulations in the affected countries. Please be sure to contact your immigration representative for full details regarding the TCA’s impact in Finland.