Minimum Wage in Poland 2026: Gross, Net and Hourly Rate
Poland's minimum wage in 2026 is 4,806 zł gross a month or 31.40 zł per hour. See the approximate net pay, overtime and night work rules for foreign workers.
The minimum wage in Poland in 2026 is 4,806 zł gross per month for full-time work, and the minimum hourly rate is 31.40 zł gross for civil-law contracts like umowa zlecenie. After taxes and contributions, a full-time employee on the minimum wage takes home roughly 3,600 zł net – this is an approximation that depends on your situation.
Key takeaways
- 4,806 zł gross / month (płaca minimalna) for a full-time employment contract.
- 31.40 zł gross / hour (minimalna stawka godzinowa) for umowa zlecenie and similar contracts.
- Net pay on a full-time contract: approx. 3,600 zł (estimate).
- Foreigners must be paid at least the minimum and not less than Polish workers in the same job.
- Overtime and night work are paid extra on an employment contract.
Minimum wage 2026 at a glance
| Amount | |
|---|---|
| Monthly gross (full time) | 4,806 zł |
| Hourly minimum (civil-law contracts) | 31.40 zł |
| Approx. net monthly (employment contract) | ≈ 3,600 zł |
Gross vs net – why is the difference so big?
Polish salaries are usually quoted gross (brutto). From gross pay, the employer deducts:
- Social security contributions (ZUS) – pension, disability and sickness insurance,
- Health insurance contribution (składka zdrowotna) – gives you access to public health care (NFZ),
- Income tax advance (zaliczka na PIT).
What remains is net pay (netto) – the money you receive in your bank account.
Your net pay can be higher if:
- you are under 26 and use the youth relief (ulga dla młodych), which removes income tax up to an annual limit,
- you work on umowa zlecenie while being a student under 26.
Your net pay can be lower if you work part-time or your employer does not apply the standard tax-free allowance. Read more in taxes for foreigners in Poland.
Hourly rate: what it means for you
If you work on umowa zlecenie (a civil-law contract), your pay must be at least 31.40 zł gross for every hour you work. The employer must keep a record of your hours. If you work 200 hours in a month, your minimum gross pay is 6,280 zł.
On an employment contract (umowa o pracę), the monthly minimum applies to full-time work. For part-time work, the minimum is proportional.
Not sure which contract you have? See employment contracts in Poland.
Overtime and night work
These rules come from the Polish Labour Code (Kodeks pracy) and apply to employment contracts:
| Situation | Extra pay |
|---|---|
| Overtime on a normal working day | Usually +50% |
| Overtime at night, on Sundays or public holidays not scheduled as work days | Usually +100% |
| Night work (typically between 21:00 and 7:00, exact hours set by the employer) | +20% of the minimum hourly rate for each night hour |
Instead of extra pay, an employer may sometimes give you time off for overtime. On umowa zlecenie, there are no Labour Code overtime supplements – you are paid for every hour at your agreed rate, which must be at least 31.40 zł.
What the law says about foreign workers
Under the 2025 law on employing foreigners, your employer must:
- sign a written contract before you start work, with a translation,
- pay at least the minimum wage,
- pay not less than Polish workers doing comparable work,
- send a copy of the contract to the office via praca.gov.pl before you start.
A job offer below the minimum wage is a red flag. Learn more in how to avoid job scams in Poland.
Watch out for deductions
Agencies sometimes offer accommodation or transport and deduct the cost from your pay. This must be agreed in writing. Always ask:
- Is the rate gross or net?
- Is housing free or deducted? How much?
- Is the rate per hour or per month? How many hours per month are typical?
- When is payday?
Is the minimum wage enough to live on?
It depends on the city and whether housing is provided. Rent in Warsaw or Kraków is much higher than in smaller towns. Read our guide to the cost of living in Poland 2026.
Find a job that pays fairly
Many jobs for foreigners in production, warehouses and construction pay above the minimum, especially with overtime. Register for free in JobPartner and let legal employment agencies contact you. See also our legalization overview.
FAQ
What is the minimum wage in Poland in 2026?
4,806 zł gross per month for a full-time employment contract, and 31.40 zł gross per hour for civil-law contracts such as umowa zlecenie.
How much is the minimum wage in Poland after tax?
For a standard full-time employment contract it is roughly 3,600 zł net per month. The exact amount depends on your contract, age and tax situation, so treat this as an approximation.
Do foreigners get the same minimum wage as Polish workers?
Yes. The law requires employers to pay foreigners at least the minimum wage and not less than Polish workers doing comparable work.
Is overtime paid extra in Poland?
Yes. Under the Polish Labour Code overtime on an employment contract is paid with an extra supplement, usually 50% or 100% of your pay depending on when the overtime is worked.
This article is for information purposes only and is not legal advice. Laws change – check the current rules on gov.pl or ask our recruiter.