Two statuses exist, and the right one depends on your situation
Registration is handled by the county employment office, powiatowy urząd pracy. Unemployed status is the stricter one and is the one linked to unemployment benefit, while jobseeker status is open to a wider group, including some foreign residents who cannot register as unemployed. You register at the office for the place where you live, in person or online with an electronic signature.
How it works
Register with the public employment service to get help finding work.
Registering with the public employment service gives you access to job offers, advice and training, and is often required before you can claim unemployment benefit. You usually register online or at the office for your home address, then have an interview with an adviser. Bring your ID, proof of address and details of your work history and qualifications. Registering as a jobseeker and applying for benefit are often separate steps, so check whether you need to do both.
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At a glance
Registration rules vary by office
Some offices give out a limited number of tickets each day, others set an early cut-off for new registrations, and many also accept online applications.
Guides
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Other countries
Moving on, or comparing before you decide? See how this works elsewhere.
Most offices in Barcelona, Seville, and Valencia
Most offices in Berlin, Bremen, and Aachen
Most offices in The Hague, Groningen, and Hengelo
Most offices in Ghent, Aalst, and Antwerp
Most offices in Akranes, Akureyri, and Egilsstaðir
Where to next
Compare how county employment offices take new registrations, from queue tickets to online applications.
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