Employment Law Updates for 2026: Poland
Big changes are coming to the Polish labour market in 2026. From wage transparency to changes in seniority and better protection against harassment, these reforms are designed to create fairer, safer, and more transparent workplaces. Now is the perfect time for employers to get ahead of the curve and future-proof their HR practices.
In this blog, we explore the key aspects of these developments and what they mean for employers in everyday practice. We, as Parakar, can support your organization in dealing with these changes, complying with regulations, and translating new requirements into manageable, day-to-day processes.
Wage transparency
Poland is implementing the EU Pay Transparancy Directive in two phases. As of December 24, 2025, job candidates must receive clear information about the salary, the rules of the collective labour agreement, and the internal wage policy. Gender-neutral job titles are mandatory, and asking about previous salaries is not allowed. By mid-2026, these rules will be extended to current employees: fair job evaluations, easy access to salary information, and reporting on the gender pay gap for companies with more than 100 employees. Early preparation is essential.
Also, there will be some changes in the minimum wage. Certain allowances, bonuses, and rewards will gradually cease to count toward the minimum wage from 2027. As employers, it is time to review salary structures and make adjustments to remain compliant.
Seniority and employment history: everything counts
Starting January 1st (public sector) and May 1st (private sector), more types of work, such as self-employment or service contracts, will count toward seniority. Employees have 24 months to submit ZUS certificates, so HR teams need to start updating their salary and benefits systems.
Labour inspection and contract compliance
Polish inspectors will soon have more powers to immediately reclassify civil law contracts if they are being misused. This is also called the State Labour Inspectorate Act, which will be in force from Janurary 1st, 2026. Companies that use B2B or service agreements should carefully review their contracts to avoid surprises.
Stronger protection against bullying
The definition of bullying is being expanded to include repeated intimidating behavior, both verbal and physical, even if unintentional. The minimum penalties will be substantial, with six times the minimum wage for bullying and three times for violations of the principle of equality. Employers will be obligated to proactively and consistently prevent bullying and implement improved internal policies, procedures, and preventive measures.
Changes in administration and deregulation
Centralized ICT systems, relaxed document rules, and streamlined leave payments are in the pipeline. Most of the changes are not urgent, but by preparing your HR and payroll systems now, you can avoid a lot of headaches later on.
Internship rules are getting a makeover
Interns will now receive written contracts, paid leave, supervisors, and salaries (35-100% of the national average). There is a six-month limit. If you hire interns, it’s time to update templates and adjust workflows. Poland is making workplaces fairer, safer, and more transparent. Also, companies that prepare for this early on will reap the benefits.
How Parakar can support
Expanding your business to Poland offers exciting opportunities, but navigating labour laws and the HR landscape can be complex. That’s where Parakar comes in. We offer tailored HR solutions to help you quickly and compliantly hire staff, manage external employees, streamline HR administration, and maintain confident relationships with your employees.
Our team makes hiring easy by managing all legal, administrative, and HR tasks, from drafting employment contracts to setting up payroll without you having to establish a local entity. For external employees, we ensure full compliance with Polish labor and tax laws, whether your team is based in Warsaw, Krakow, or anywhere else in the country.
In addition to recruitment, Parakar offers comprehensive HR administration services, including payroll, benefits, social security, and local regulatory compliance. We also provide expert support on complex HR issues, enabling you to resolve disputes and maintain a positive, legally compliant workplace. With Parakar, managing your workforce in Poland is smooth and stress-free.
Get in touch with Parakar today to ensure your business is fully equipped to handle these important responsibilities, allowing you to focus on what truly matters, supporting your employees.
