Employment Contract – Key Information

An employment contract is the primary and most protective form of employment in Poland, governed by the Labour Code. It provides employees with a wide range of rights, including entitlement to paid leave and social security coverage. Pursuant to Article 22 of the Polish Labour Code, an employment relationship exists when an employee performs specific work for an employer, under the employer’s supervision, at a designated place and time, and the employer pays remuneration. Employment under such conditions always constitutes an employment relationship, regardless of how the parties name the contract.

Types of Employment Contracts

An employment contract may be concluded as:

• a probationary employment contract – intended to assess the employee’s qualifications and suitability for the position
• a fixed-term employment contract – concluded for a specified period or project
• an indefinite-term employment contract – open-ended, providing the highest level of employment stability

Employee Rights Under an Employment Contract

An employee hired under an employment contract benefits from the full protection of the Labour Code. Key rights include:

• remuneration at least equal to the statutory minimum wage (PLN 4,666 gross in 2025; PLN 4,806 gross from 2026)
• entitlement to paid annual leave (20 or 26 days per year, depending on length of service)
• entitlement to sick leave with pay in accordance with social insurance regulations
• protection against unjustified or unlawful termination of employment
• payment of full social security contributions (pension, disability, sickness, accident, and health insurance) by the employer and employee in accordance with current rates