Workers' Rights in Poland for Foreign Workers — Minimum Wage, Working Hours, and Leave

Whether you work in Poland under an employment contract (umowa o pracę) or a civil-law contract (umowa zlecenie), you have legal rights. Polish labour law protects all workers regardless of nationality. This guide explains the key rules: minimum pay, working hours limits, holidays, sick leave, and what to do when your rights are violated.

Minimum Wage in Poland (2025)

From 1 January 2025, the minimum wage in Poland is 4,666 PLN gross per month (full-time employment contract). The minimum hourly rate for civil-law contracts (umowa zlecenie) is 30.50 PLN gross per hour.

Every employer is legally required to pay at least this amount. If you earn less — even if you signed such a contract — you have the right to claim the difference.

Working Hours

The standard working time is 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week. Work beyond these limits counts as overtime. You are entitled to:

• a 50% pay supplement for the first 2 overtime hours per day or for night work;
• a 100% pay supplement for overtime beyond 2 hours per day or for Sunday and public holiday work;
• alternatively: time off in lieu — equal to the overtime worked, or (if you request it yourself) 1.5× the time.

Total overtime in a year cannot exceed 150 hours (or more if a collective agreement or your contract allows — up to a maximum of 416).

Rest Breaks

For shifts of at least 6 hours, you are entitled to at least a 15-minute paid break included in working time. Between shifts, you must have at least 11 hours of continuous rest.

Annual Leave

Under an employment contract, you have the right to paid annual leave:

• 20 days per year if your total work experience is under 10 years;
• 26 days per year if your total work experience is 10 years or more.

Work experience in other countries counts toward this total, provided you can document it. Leave is paid at your normal rate of pay.

Sick Leave (L4)

If you are ill and have a medical certificate (L4), for the first 33 days of illness per year your employer pays you 80% of your salary (100% if the illness results from a workplace accident). For illness lasting longer, the ZUS social insurance fund takes over payments.

Civil-Law Contract (Umowa Zlecenie) — Key Differences

A civil-law contract gives fewer protections than an employment contract:

• no statutory limits on working hours or right to annual leave (unless the contract specifies this);
• the minimum hourly rate (30.50 PLN gross, 2025) still applies;
• your employer must still pay ZUS contributions (sickness, pension, accident insurance).

When Your Rights Are Violated

If your employer fails to pay your salary, pays below the minimum, forces unpaid overtime, refuses to grant leave, or dismisses you unlawfully — report it to the National Labour Inspectorate (Państwowa Inspekcja Pracy, PIP). Inspections are free, and you can file a complaint anonymously.

Summary

As a foreign worker in Poland, you have the same legal rights as Polish workers. The key rules: minimum salary 4,666 PLN/month (2025), 8-hour workday, 20–26 days of annual leave, and full protection against unlawful dismissal. If your rights are being violated — the National Labour Inspectorate is on your side.

Have questions about your rights at work? Contact Nexflow — we only partner with employers who comply with Polish labour law.