Poland Announces New Minimum Wage and Salary Thresholds for 2025–2026: What Foreign Workers Need to Know
Poland is introducing several important changes to its minimum wage and salary requirements for both local employees and foreign nationals. These updates—set to take effect in January 2026—will impact local hires, Work Permit holders, Single Permit holders, EU Blue Card applicants, and Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) transferees.
Here’s a detailed breakdown to help you prepare.
- Minimum Wage Increase Starting January 2026
Beginning January 1, 2026, Poland will raise its minimum wage and hourly rate:
New Minimum Salary (2026)
Monthly: PLN 4,806 (up from PLN 4,666)
Hourly: PLN 31.40 (up from PLN 30.50)
These updated rates apply to:
Local Polish employees
Foreign workers on Work Permits
Foreign workers holding Single Permits
Important: Benefits, allowances, or bonuses cannot be counted toward the minimum wage requirement. Only fixed salary paid in Polish zloty (PLN) through a local payroll qualifies.
- Salary Thresholds for EU Blue Card and ICT Permits
While the general minimum wage has increased, other work authorization categories follow separate salary rules.
EU Blue Card Salary Update
Earlier in 2025, Poland raised the required minimum salary for EU Blue Card applicants to:
PLN 12,272.58 gross per month
(Previously PLN 10,733.22)
This figure represents 150% of Poland’s national average salary.
Key Detail:
Even EU Blue Card applications submitted before February 2025 but processed later must meet the updated salary threshold.
ICT (Intra-Company Transfer) Salary Rules
ICT transfers must still meet salary requirements aligned with comparable positions in Poland, although their thresholds are regulated separately from the general minimum wage.
- What Employers and Workers Should Know
Employers hiring foreign nationals must ensure:
Salary parity: Pay must be comparable to local employees in similar roles.
Sufficient income: The wage must support the employee and any dependents in Poland.
Compliance on renewals: Salary adjustments apply to both new and renewal applications.
PLN payroll requirement: All foreign workers must be paid in zloty through a Polish payroll system.
No inclusion of allowances: Per diems or benefits do not count toward mandatory salary thresholds.
- Why These Changes Matter
Poland’s updated wage policies reflect efforts to:
Keep pace with inflation and rising living costs,
Protect both local and foreign employees through fair compensation,
Ensure employers maintain transparent and competitive salary practices.
For companies hiring international talent, this means planning for higher payroll costs—especially for EU Blue Card and ICT candidates.
For workers, it’s essential to confirm that upcoming permits or contract renewals meet the latest salary standards.
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