How many hours do people work weekly in Poland?

When considering employment in Poland—whether you're relocating for work, applying for a visa, or negotiating your first job contract—it’s essential to understand the country’s standard working hours. Poland, as an EU member, follows structured labor laws that balance productivity with employee rights. In this post, we’ll break down the typical workweek, legal standards, overtime policies, and how this compares with other countries.

Standard Working Hours in Poland

In Poland, the standard full-time workweek is 40 hours, typically spread over 5 days, Monday to Friday. This equates to 8 hours per day. These hours are regulated by the Polish Labour Code, which ensures that employers maintain fair and humane working conditions.

Daily and Weekly Limits

• Daily Limit: 8 hours per day under the standard system.
• Weekly Limit: 40 hours per week, not including overtime.
• Maximum with Overtime: Total working time, including overtime, must not exceed 48 hours per week, averaged over a 4-month period.

However, the Labour Code allows for some flexibility depending on the nature of the work and the employer’s operational needs. Some sectors, like healthcare, transport, and seasonal work, may operate under different scheduling models.

Overtime Regulations

Polish law permits overtime, but it’s tightly regulated.

• Maximum Overtime: Up to 150 hours annually (unless a different number is set in a collective agreement).
• Compensation: Overtime is typically compensated with:
  • 150% of the hourly wage on weekdays.
  • 200% of the hourly wage for work on Sundays, holidays, or nights.

Alternatively, employers may offer time off in lieu (compensatory time) instead of monetary payment.

Part-Time and Flexible Work Options

Part-time work is common and protected by law in Poland. Employees working part-time receive pro-rated benefits and rights based on their actual working hours.

Poland is also slowly adopting more flexible work arrangements, such as:

• Flexible working hours
• Remote or hybrid work models
• Compressed workweeks

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of remote work, and many employers continue to offer hybrid models.

Public Holidays and Paid Leave

Poland has 13 public holidays annually, and if a holiday falls on a weekend, it is not automatically moved to a weekday (except for holidays falling on Saturday, which may entitle workers to a compensatory day off).

Employees are also entitled to paid annual leave, typically:

• 20 days per year for those with less than 10 years of work experience.
• 26 days per year for those with more than 10 years of experience.

Working Time vs. European Averages

Poland’s 40-hour workweek is standard by European Union norms. However, in practice, Polish workers often work longer hours than the EU average due to overtime and workloads in certain industries like manufacturing, logistics, or IT.

According to Eurostat data from recent years, Poland ranks slightly above the EU average in terms of hours worked per week.

Work-Life Balance in Poland

While the legal framework promotes fair working conditions, work-life balance can vary depending on the employer, sector, and location.

Major cities like Warsaw, Kraków, or Wrocław tend to have more international companies and progressive work cultures that offer flexible hours and benefits. In contrast, smaller towns or local businesses may operate more traditionally.

Conclusion

In summary, the standard full-time workweek in Poland is 40 hours over five days, with clear limits on overtime and employee protections. Whether you're moving to Poland for work or considering a job offer, understanding these regulations can help you prepare and negotiate better working terms.

If you're planning to work in Poland, be sure to:

• Review your employment contract carefully.
• Understand your rights regarding working hours and overtime.
• Keep track of your hours, especially if working in a high-demand role.

Need help understanding Polish labor law or finding jobs with good work-life balance? Feel free to reach out or explore our other articles on working in Poland.