How is the gig economy evolving in Poland?

The gig economy is rapidly reshaping Poland’s labor market. As more people seek flexibility and autonomy in how they work, and as companies respond to changing economic realities, gig-based work is becoming a mainstream option rather than a fringe trend. But with growth comes complexity. In Poland, the gig economy is evolving against the backdrop of legal reforms, rising worker expectations, and technological change.

The Current Landscape

1. Increased Demand for Flexible Work

Across Poland, companies in sectors such as retail, logistics, and manufacturing are increasingly relying on temporary and gig workers. This shift is not limited to side jobs—many individuals now rely on gig work as a primary source of income. Economic pressures like inflation and rising living costs are pushing more people toward flexible work models that offer immediate earning opportunities.

2. Changing Worker Preferences

Younger workers, especially those in the Gen Z cohort, are drawn to freelance work, remote opportunities, and hybrid arrangements. In particular, professionals in IT and digital services are opting for business-to-business contracts that provide greater flexibility and often better pay. The traditional 9-to-5 model is no longer the default, especially among tech-savvy, mobile-first professionals.

3. Precarity and Inequality

While gig work offers flexibility, it often comes without the social protections tied to full employment. Many workers operate without access to paid leave, health insurance, or pension contributions. Migrant workers, in particular, are more likely to be affected by this imbalance—often working longer hours, under less favorable conditions, and with lower job satisfaction compared to native workers.

4. Platform Growth Across Sectors

Gig platforms are flourishing in Poland, with dominant roles in food delivery, transportation, courier services, and digital freelancing. Alongside these “online” gigs, traditional “offline” casual labor—such as warehouse jobs or event staffing—continues to expand. This dual-track system complicates regulatory efforts, as not all gig work happens through digital platforms.

Legal and Regulatory Shifts

1. EU-Level Changes

The European Union’s Platform Work Directive, passed in late 2024, marks a major turning point. It introduces a presumption of employment under certain conditions—meaning that some gig workers currently classified as self-employed may now be considered employees. Member states, including Poland, are required to implement this directive by the end of 2026. This will reshape how gig platforms and employers engage with workers.

2. National Oversight and Contract Reclassification

In parallel, Polish regulators are moving to strengthen labor oversight. The National Labour Inspectorate (PIP) is being granted new powers to reclassify civil-law contracts—common in the gig economy—into formal employment relationships if certain conditions are met. This could lead to increased costs and obligations for companies, including retroactive liabilities in some cases.

3. Protection for Platform Workers

There is growing momentum to close the protection gap for platform workers. Legal reforms are focusing on issues such as minimum wage enforcement, algorithmic transparency, and access to social security benefits. However, implementation remains uneven, and many gig workers still operate in a legal gray zone between freelance autonomy and employee dependence.

4. Sector-Specific Regulation

New rules are being introduced for sectors like ride-hailing and delivery services. These include licensing requirements, restrictions on foreign drivers, and compliance obligations designed to standardize working conditions. Such measures are changing how companies recruit and retain gig workers, and are forcing platforms to rethink operational models.

Key Challenges Ahead

1. Rising Costs for Businesses

As regulatory frameworks evolve, businesses that rely on gig labor may face increased costs, including payroll taxes, benefits contributions, and administrative compliance. This could impact pricing strategies, margins, and hiring decisions—especially for small- and medium-sized enterprises.

2. Worker Uncertainty

While some gig workers welcome more protections, others fear losing flexibility. Reclassification into employee status could mean more obligations—like paying into social security or working fixed hours—which may not appeal to all freelancers. Striking a balance between autonomy and security remains a central challenge.

3. Migrant Worker Vulnerability

Migrant workers often find themselves on the lower rungs of the gig economy, performing essential yet underregulated work. Ensuring fair treatment, adequate legal protection, and access to basic services is crucial for creating a more inclusive labor market.

4. Legal Ambiguity and Transition Periods

As new laws are phased in, there’s a period of legal uncertainty. Courts will play a key role in interpreting the new rules, especially in borderline cases. How strictly the authorities enforce contract reclassifications will also shape employer behavior.

Opportunities and Innovation

Despite the challenges, the gig economy continues to offer significant opportunities. Demand for digital platforms, remote work tools, and freelance services is growing. Entrepreneurs are creating new solutions to match talent with demand more efficiently. At the same time, discussions around fair algorithms, ethical AI, and worker data rights are opening the door to more sustainable models of gig work.

Looking Ahead

Poland’s gig economy is at a crossroads. It is expanding, diversifying, and maturing—but it is also being reshaped by law, technology, and social expectations. Over the next few years, we can expect greater clarity around worker classification, stronger enforcement of labor protections, and possibly a shift in how gig work is perceived—less as a stopgap, and more as a long-term career choice.

Navigating this transformation will require dialogue among workers, businesses, regulators, and civil society. The goal is to build a gig economy that works not just for convenience or profit, but for dignity, equity, and resilience in a changing world.