Does citizenship decide which work permit is needed?
The document decides the procedure, not the passport. A foreigner has free access (zero permits) if they hold, among others: permanent residence or EU-resident status, a Pole's Card, a residence card annotated "labour-market access", or is the spouse of a Polish citizen or a graduate of full-time Polish studies.
That is why a Belarusian with a Pole's Card needs no oświadczenie — while a citizen of the same country without the Card goes through the full procedure.
Your duty: check the document before start, keep a copy (employment period + 2 years) and watch the validity date. An expired card = illegal work, even "with free access".
Legal basis — verify at the source
Legal state: 07/2026. This is general information, not legal advice — check the wording in the source linked above before you act.