If you work through a temporary staffing agency in Poland, your contract is most likely an umowa zlecenie — a civil (service) contract. Many workers confuse it with a full employment contract (umowa o pracę), but they work differently. Here is everything you need to know about your rights, pay, insurance, and more.
What Is Umowa Zlecenie?
Umowa zlecenie is a civil-law agreement governed by Poland's Civil Code (not the Labour Code). In a temp agency context, the agency (like Nexflow) is your principal (zleceniodawca), and the company you are placed with is the agency's client.
Because it is civil law, some employment protections do not apply automatically — but you still have meaningful rights set by statute.
Pay and Minimum Rate
Your pay on an umowa zlecenie can be:
- Hourly rate — the most common in staffing agencies
- Monthly salary — for fixed-schedule arrangements
Key point: A legally binding minimum hourly rate applies to all umowa zlecenie contracts in Poland — your employer cannot pay below this threshold regardless of what the contract says. Before signing, confirm your hourly rate and check that it meets the current legal minimum.
Pay is typically transferred to your bank account once a month.
ZUS (Social Insurance) Contributions
For most agency workers, ZUS contributions are mandatory. If this is your main contract, the agency must enroll you in:
- Pension insurance (emerytalne/rentowe)
- Accident insurance — fully paid by the employer
- Health insurance — giving you access to the NFZ healthcare system
Sickness insurance (ubezpieczenie chorobowe) is voluntary under zlecenie — but strongly recommended. It costs roughly 2.45% of your gross pay, and in return you become eligible for sick pay (zasiłek chorobowy) when you are ill.
Exception: Students under 26 are exempt from ZUS on a zlecenie, but they also have no health insurance from that contract.
Sick Leave (L4) — Am I Entitled?
Yes — if you opted into voluntary sickness insurance. After 90 days of continuous sickness insurance contributions, you are entitled to a ZUS sickness benefit at approximately 80% of your calculation base (100% for a work accident, from day one).
Without this insurance: if you get sick, you receive no income replacement from ZUS.
Annual Leave — Do I Get Vacation?
Umowa zlecenie does not automatically entitle you to paid annual leave — that right comes only with an employment contract (umowa o pracę). However, you can:
- Negotiate paid time off directly in your contract
- Take unpaid leave by agreement with the agency
Ask your Nexflow coordinator about available options.
Ending the Contract
Under Poland's Civil Code, either party may generally terminate a zlecenie contract at any time. In practice, agency contracts usually include a notice period (typically 2 weeks). Read your contract carefully to understand the termination terms before you start.
Income Tax (PIT)
The agency deducts and remits monthly advance PIT payments on your behalf. Once a year, by the end of April, you file a PIT tax return. If Poland has a double-taxation treaty with your home country (Ukraine, Belarus, etc.), check with your coordinator or a tax advisor to understand your obligations.
What Nexflow Provides
Working through Nexflow means:
- A legally compliant zlecenie contract that meets all statutory requirements
- On-time monthly pay transferred to your account
- Full ZUS registration, including health insurance and sickness insurance (on request)
- A pay slip (pasek wypłaty) with a clear breakdown of gross pay, contributions, tax, and net pay
- A dedicated coordinator you can contact with any questions
- Assistance with residence and work permits in Poland
Summary
Umowa zlecenie is a legal, common form of work arrangement in Poland — especially in temp staffing. While it differs from an employment contract, it guarantees minimum pay, health insurance, and — if you opt in — sick pay protection. Read your contract before signing, ask questions, and know your rights.