Ukrainian Welder's Diploma in Poland: Is it Enough to Work and What are UDT/TÜV Certificates?

Find out if Ukrainian welding diplomas are recognized in Poland. What are European UDT and TÜV certificates, who pays for them, and how to get them.

One of the most frequent questions from professionals planning to work in the EU is: "I have a vocational school diploma and an employment record book with 10 years of experience. Will I get hired?". The answer is: yes, you will be hired, but the Ukrainian diploma itself does not have the legal power in Poland to grant you clearance for responsible welding work.

Let's break down what documents a welder actually needs in Polish factories and how to obtain them.

Is the Ukrainian diploma needed at all?

Your diploma from a technical school or vocational college, along with your employment record book, is a huge plus at the interview stage. For the recruiter and employer, it is proof that you have a basic education, know the theory of metallurgy, and understand safety rules. However, to legally weld structures in a European production facility, a welder must have a clearance according to the EN ISO 9606 standard.

What are European standard certificates (UDT, TÜV, DNV)?

In Europe, the right to weld is confirmed by a personal certificate (often called "uprawnienia" in Poland) issued by independent institutes.

TÜV (Germany) and DNV (Norway): The most prestigious international certificates. With these, you can work in almost any factory in the EU, including shipbuilding and aviation.

UDT (Urząd Dozoru Technicznego): This is the Polish Office of Technical Inspection. A UDT certificate is mandatory for working with pressure equipment, cranes, pipes, and load-bearing structures in Poland.

IS (Instytut Spawalnictwa w Gliwicach): The basic Polish certificate, which is sufficient for most standard metal structure manufacturing plants (e.g., welding fences, containers, frames).

How to get a European certificate and who pays for it?

The certificate is issued to a specific welder for a specific method (135, 141, 111, etc.) and a certain welding position after successfully passing a practical exam (the "próbki" test we discussed in the previous article).

There are two ways to get the documents:

At the employer's expense (Most common): You arrive at the factory and successfully pass the practical test. The employer sees that you are a great specialist and pays for a TÜV or UDT inspector to issue your certificate. The condition is often this: if you work at the factory for 3-6 months, the certificate will be completely free for you.

At your own expense: You can take courses and pass the exam at specialized centers in Poland or even back in Ukraine. The cost of a European certificate is usually between 1000 and 2000 PLN.

Conclusion

Don't worry if you only have a Ukrainian diploma or just practical experience. The main thing in Europe is your actual skill.

If you know how to weld well, the experts at Zvaryuvalnyk.xyz will find a job for you where the employer pays for your European certificates. Leave a request on our website, and we will help you find legal and profitable employment in Poland!