Hiring Remote Employees in Eastern Europe: What You Need to Know | The Complete 2026 Guide

Valians

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Introduction

Remote employment is no longer a temporary solution. It’s a new standard. In 2026, companies of all sizes continue to expand their hiring strategies beyond borders. Among global destinations, Eastern Europe stands out as one of the most dynamic regions for remote talent. 

From IT specialists to finance experts, Eastern Europe offers the right mix of skills, cost-efficiency, and cultural compatibility. For many businesses, it’s the ideal region to build hybrid or fully remote teams that combine quality and agility. 

If you plan to hire remote employees, understanding the region’s landscape is crucial. In this article, we – Valians International, explore everything you need to know about how to hire remote foreign employees from compliance and payroll to onboarding through an Employer of Record (EOR). 

Why Eastern Europe Is a Hotspot for Remote Talent

Eastern Europe has evolved into one of the world’s most competitive labor markets. Countries such as Poland, Romania, Czechia, Hungary, and Slovakia, etc. are home to millions of well-educated professionals ready to work for global companies. 

The region’s strengths are clear: 

  • High education levels and a strong focus on STEM disciplines. 
  • Strong English skills, especially in Poland where the country ranks 15th out of 116 in the EF English Proficiency Index (score 588) according to EF.  
  • Cultural alignment with Western Europe and North America, making collaboration seamless. 
  • EU standards ensuring predictable legal and data protection frameworks. 
  • Competitive labor costs, offering a cost advantage of up to 30-40% compared to Western Europe without sacrificing quality. 

Because the time zone sits right between Asia and the U.S., teams can collaborate across continents with little friction. This combination of talent, stability, and affordability explains why so many companies looking to hire remote employees are turning their attention eastward.  

Three Ways to Hire Remotely: Which One Works Best

Before you start building your team, you must choose the right employment model. Each option has advantages and limitations, depending on your business stage and expansion goals. 

Set up your own local entity.

The model offers full control but requires establishing a legal presence in the country. It involves local tax registration, compliance with labor laws, and ongoing administration. For smaller teams or pilot projects, it may not be cost-effective. 

Hire freelancers or contractors.

Many companies start this way due to flexibility and simplicity. However, it comes with risks: potential misclassification, limited control over schedules, and weaker loyalty. Some governments are tightening regulations around contractor use. 

A blackboard with yellow text. How to hire remote employees in CEE. Hiring freelancers or contractors instead of hiring employees.
Hiring freelancers has flexibility and simplicity, but it comes with risks such as potential misclassification and weaker loyalty. 

Work through an Employer of Record (EOR).

An EOR in Poland or elsewhere in Eastern Europe acts as the legal employer on your behalf. The EOR manages contracts, payroll, taxes, and benefits while you supervise the employee’s daily work. This approach eliminates the need for a local entity and ensures full compliance with labor laws. 

At Valians, we’ve found the EOR path to be the safest bridge between “testing a market” and “building a presence” for global companies wanting to hire remote foreign employees. 

What an EOR Actually Does? Simplifying Remote Hiring 

An Employer of Record acts as your bridge to local employment. Here is its advantage: 

  • Speed: Onboard employees in days instead of months. 
  • Compliance: Avoid legal risks related to contracts, taxation, and benefits. 
  • Cost-efficiency: No need to open a subsidiary or local office. 
  • Administrative relief: Payroll, payslips, and reporting handled by the provider. 
  • Scalability: Hire one or one hundred employees with the same simplicity. 

Therefore, the EOR takes care of: 

  • Drafting contracts that match national labour law. 
  • Registering employees for tax and social insurance. 
  • Running monthly payroll in local currency. 
  • Handling benefits and leave administration. 
  • Keeping you informed about regulation changes. 

For example, EOR service providers in Poland like Valians International allow clients to focus on performance while ensuring full compliance with Polish labor law.  

Besides, by using EOR services in Poland, companies gain access to a highly skilled workforce while keeping flexibility and legal peace of mind. 

Step-by-Step: How to Hire Remote Employees in Eastern Europe

Hiring internationally requires structure and preparation. Here is a clear process to follow:

  1. Define your hiring needs.

    Start with the role, skills, and target country. Compare average salaries, local availability, and language proficiency.

  2. Choose the right hiring model.

    For most foreign companies, an EOR is the fastest route to begin operations without the costs of incorporation.

  3. Ensure compliance.

    Each country has its own paperwork: contracts, social security registration, and mandatory benefits. Non-compliance can result in heavy fines.

  4. Manage onboarding.

    Prepare job descriptions, internal tools of access, and communication channels. The EOR can support local documentation and background checks.

  5. Handle payroll and benefits.

    Your EOR partner takes care of salary payments, tax deductions, and statutory benefits such as social insurance.

  6. Integrate your remote team.

    Regular check-ins, virtual training, and performance tracking help employees feel connected and valued.

Below is a sample EOR onboarding mini checklist in Poland: 

  • Verify candidate documents and work eligibility. 
  • Sign employment contract compliant with Polish labor law. 
  • Register employees with the national social insurance institution (ZUS). 
  • Set up payroll and tax contributions. 
  • Deliver company onboarding materials and equipment. 

Following these steps helps you hire remote employees efficiently while protecting your business from legal and financial risks. 

Managing and Retaining Remote Employees Effectively

Hiring is just the first step; keeping your remote team motivated is equally important. Effective management starts with communication, trust, and structure. 

Here are some proven practices: 

  • Use clear communication tools such as Slack or Microsoft Teams. 
  • Set measurable goals and review progress weekly. 
  • Respect time zones and create meeting schedules that work for everyone. 
  • Provide feedback regularly. Recognition keeps employees engaged. 
  • Offer training and development opportunities. 

Cultural understanding also matters. In Eastern Europe, professionals value transparency, professionalism, and reliability. When managed well, they demonstrate strong loyalty and work ethics. 

An EOR partner can also help maintain retention by managing benefits, leave tracking, and local HR compliance. With this support in place, you can effectively hire and manage remote employees for long-term success. 

Hiring across borders means understanding not just people, but also laws. Each Eastern European country follows the core principles of EU labor law, yet applies to its own local rules for payroll, social security, and termination. Not complying can result in penalties, even if the employee works remotely. 

That’s why companies increasingly rely on an EOR approach or similar partners to ensure full compliance from day one. 

Key EU-Level Frameworks You Should Know

In 2025, new EU directives reshaped how companies manage employment relationships. 

The EU Directive 2019/1152 on Transparent and Predictable Working Conditions now requires employers to provide detailed written information to employees before they start work. This includes: 

  • Work schedule and location. 
  • Salary frequency and calculation method. 
  • Probation of period conditions. 
  • Termination process and notice period. 

For remote and hybrid roles, these disclosures are essential. They protect both employers and workers, creating transparency in cross-border hiring. 

Remote Hiring Compliance Checklist (Eastern Europe 2026)

You can use this checklist to ensure your company meets the region’s basic legal requirements: 

  • Always issue a written employment contract, which is mandatory in all EU countries. 
  • Register the employee with national tax and social insurance authorities before the start date. 
  • Comply with working-time limits (usually 40 hours per week). 
  • Provide all statutory benefits, such as healthcare, paid leave, and pension contributions. 
  • Process payroll in local currency, with payslips available monthly. 
  • Follow GDPR and local data-privacy rules. 
  • Keep accurate HR and payroll records for audits. 

By partnering with EOR service providers in Poland, companies can delegate these administrative and compliance tasks to a local expert, reducing internal risk and complexity. 

Compliance Highlights by Country (Snapshot 2026)

Each country adds its local nuances. Below is a quick reference summary for some of the most popular hiring destinations: 

Compliance highlights by Eastern Europe’s leading remote-talent hubs (Poland, Romania, Czechia, Hungary, Slovenia). (Updated according to labor law frameworks. )
Compliance highlights by Eastern Europe’s leading remote-talent hubs (Poland, Romania, Czechia, Hungary, Slovenia). (Updated according to labor law frameworks.)

This quick view shows how local differences can affect your onboarding process, especially when managing multiple countries at once. 

EOR Compliance Flow

When working with an EOR, compliance becomes a predictable process. Here’s how it typically works in practice: 

Employer of Record hiring process diagram showing compliance workflow. EOR compliance steps from registration to reporting.
EOR model simplifies legal employment and payroll across borders. Stay compliant in every country with a trusted EOR partner.

This structure ensures that every stage, from the first offer letter to monthly payroll, follows local law. 

An EOR in Poland provider, such as Valians International, continuously monitors legal updates . That means your contracts, tax contributions, and reporting remain accurate and compliant, without needing your internal HR team to master five different legal systems. 

Labor compliance isn’t just about avoiding risk; it’s about building trust. Employees who know their contracts, benefits, and data are handled correctly tend to stay longer and perform better. 

By combining strong HR practices with EOR services in Poland, you ensure a hiring model that is both legally sound and people-centric which is exactly what remote success in 2026 demands. 

Why Poland Leads the Region for Remote Hiring 

When choosing a first country in Eastern Europe, Poland often ranks at the top. It combines stability, scale, and business maturity, all essential for international employers. 

Key strengths include: 

  • A talent pool of over 300,000 IT specialists. 
  • Strong English and German proficiency. According to the EF EPI 2024, Poland scored 588 and ranked 15th globally. 
  • Average salary levels stay highly competitive compared to Western Europe. 
  • Robust infrastructure for digital communication and cybersecurity. 
  • Pro-business policies that encourage foreign investment. 

Poland’s legal system is aligned with EU standards, and its HR administration is predictable. These advantages explain why global companies frequently choose EOR services in Poland as the gateway to the entire region. 

Through Valians International, businesses gain a local partner that understands both Western business expectations and the realities of the Polish market. This dual expertise ensures that onboarding, payroll, and employee relations run smoothly. 

Final Thoughts: Building a Future-Ready Remote Team 

The shift to remote and hybrid work is permanent. By 2026, global companies are not asking whether to hire remotely but where to find the best talent. Eastern Europe delivers on every front: quality, reliability, and scalability. 

Choosing the right model is key. With an Employer of Record in Poland or another Central European country, you can grow your team safely and efficiently, without setting up an entity. 

At Valians International, we help companies hire remote employees and manage them compliantly across Eastern Europe. From payroll to onboarding and HR advisory, our goal is simple: to make international hiring seamless, transparent, and future-ready. 

If your business plans to expand globally, now is the time to explore this opportunity. Connect with our experts and discover how your next remote employee could be just a few clicks away.

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