The issue of minimum wage is constantly important for foreigners not only in the context of understanding their rights and financial opportunities, which they can count on, but also in the context of legalization, since, according to the requirements, to obtain a residence permit in Poland (permanent residence card) on the basis of work, your salary must be no less than the minimum permissible wage in the country. In this article, we will analyze what the minimum wage is in 2025 and what the minimum amount will be in 2026.
What is the minimum wage in Poland?
The minimum wage is the minimum amount that an employer must pay to an employee working under an employment contract (umowa o pracę) on a full-time basis. Its purpose is to ensure a basic standard of living, protect against exploitation and reduce wage inequality. In Poland, the regulation of the minimum wage is established by the Act of 10 October 2002 “On Minimum Wages”. These provisions apply to both employees and employees working under certain civil-law contracts, such as mandate contracts (umowa zlecenie), where a minimum hourly rate applies.
How is the minimum wage set?
The minimum wage in Poland is set annually by the Council of Ministers on the basis of negotiations within the Social Dialogue Council, which includes representatives of the government, employers and trade unions. This process begins in May each year, and the government submits a draft rate for the following year by 15 June. If the parties fail to reach an agreement by 15 July, the Council of Ministers sets the minimum wage on its own, publishing a relevant regulation in the Journal of Laws by 15 September.
The minimum wage is linked to the projected average wage in the national economy and the inflation rate. According to the law, the increase in the minimum wage cannot be lower than the projected growth in consumer prices. Moreover, if the minimum wage is lower than half the average wage, its increase is taken into account by two-thirds of the projected growth in real GDP. From 2026, new rules will come into force, following the EU Directive on adequate minimum wages, according to which the minimum wage must be at least 55% of the projected average wage in the economy.
In the case of a minimum hourly rate, which applies mainly to contracts for work, its amount is determined in proportion to the minimum monthly wage, taking into account the average number of working hours per month. These provisions are aimed at protecting persons working under civil law contracts, which are often less stable than full-fledged employment contracts (umowa o pracę).
Minimum wage in 2025
In 2025, the minimum wage for full-time employees is PLN 4,666 gross per month, established in accordance with the Regulation of the Council of Ministers of 12 September 2024 (Journal of Laws of 2024, item 1362, Dz.U. 2024 poz. 1362). Compared to the second half of 2024, when the minimum wage was PLN 4,300 gross, this is PLN 366 more, or about 8.5%. After deducting social security contributions (pension, disability and sick leave) and income tax advances, employees receive about PLN 3,510.92 net, or net, based on standard income-generating costs and filing Form PIT-2.
The minimum hourly wage in 2025 is PLN 30.50 gross. After deducting contributions, this will amount to approximately PLN 22.03 net (with voluntary sickness contributions to ZUS) or PLN 22.70 net (without sickness contributions).
Minimum wage in 2026
The minimum wage in 2026 will increase to PLN 4,806 gross per month, in line with the official government proposal published in 2025. This is PLN 140 more than in 2025, representing an increase of approximately 3%. After deducting social security contributions and personal income tax (PIT), full-time workers can expect to receive approximately PLN 3,600 net, although the exact amount depends on individual factors such as tax incentives (e.g. zero PIT for those under 26).
The minimum hourly wage in 2026 will be PLN 31.40 gross, which after deducting contributions will be approximately PLN 22.70 net (with voluntary sickness contribution to ZUS) or PLN 23.40 net (without sickness contribution). This increase is proportional to the increase in the minimum monthly wage and takes into account the average monthly number of working hours.
Problems for employers
The planned increase in the minimum wage in Poland in 2026 will be a significant step towards protecting the interests of workers and strengthening their purchasing power. At the same time, this decision will result in a number of difficulties for businesses. First of all, the constant costs of employers will increase – along with the “minimum”, contributions to ZUS, taxes and other mandatory payments will increase. For small companies, especially those operating in trade, catering or the service sector, where profitability is low, this could be a serious challenge. An additional problem is created by the so-called “cascade effect”: an increase in wages at the lower level will prompt specialists and experienced employees to demand a revision of their rates in order to maintain a fair difference in pay. As a result, entrepreneurs will have to look for new ways to optimize costs and retain staff. At the same time, the outlook for the coming years is also difficult, as the authorities have already announced their intention to continue the course of a gradual increase in the minimum wage in line with price increases and European Union standards.
What does this mean for foreigners?
In the context of legalization, each foreigner must ensure that, at the beginning of 2026, their salary in all employment contracts in cases already in progress or in those that are about to be launched, corresponds to at least the minimum permissible gross salary. Receiving a salary below the permissible one for each person who does not meet the requirements will result in a negative decision.
Why you should contact POLegal
If you do not want to keep up with the constant changes in legislation and immigration law, then contact POLegal for help. We support individual and corporate clients in legalization procedures in Poland (obtaining a residence card) on all existing grounds “turnkey”. We are a team of professionals in the field of work in Polish bureaucracy since 2019. Our successful history includes more than 900 positive decisions on various cases. We will consult and analyze the legal basis, form a package for submission and represent you before the authorities on the basis of a power of attorney until you receive a decision. This saves time and reduces the risk of refusals due to formal errors.
Phone: +48 733 343 599 (Telegram, WhatsApp)
Office address: Tadeusza Czackiego 15/17, 00-043 Warszawa
