IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Poland has changed minimum salary requirements for posted workers and ICT mobility permit holders. Starting Jan. 1, Poland will update minimum salary requirements for workers on local employment contracts.

What does the change mean? Foreign workers on local employment contracts must earn at least 2,600 zloty (about US$667 or €605) per month. Posted workers and ICT mobility permit holders must be paid according to the applicable regional salary minimum. Residency permit holders and their family members must be supported by an income of at least 528 zloty per month while single-person households must be supported by 701 zloty per month.

  • Implementation time frame: The new monthly minimum wage goes into effect Jan. 1. Salary requirements for posted workers and ICT mobility permits have changed, effective Nov. 21. The new monthly minimum wage goes into effect Jan. 1. Income thresholds for residency permit purposes currently remain unchanged.
  • Business impact: Businesses may see an increase in labor costs if salaries need to be adjusted to reflect the new thresholds.

Additional information: The salary minimum for local employment contracts affects foreigners hired locally throughout Poland, i.e., those holding Type A work permits or residency permits with right to work. The minimum salary threshold for posted workers (work permits C, D and E for assignments) and ICT mobility permit holders depends on the administrative region, or voivodship, where the applicant applies for the permit. The minimum income thresholds for residency permits apply to all foreigners applying for residency permits, including dependent family members.

Work permits for local hires
Location Salary minimum
Anywhere in Poland 2,600 zloty per month
Work permits for posted workers, EU ICT mobility permits
Location Salary minimum
Lower Silesia 3,280.10 zloty per month
Kuyavia-Pomerania (Bydgoszcz) 2,773.23 zloty per month
Lublin (Lublin) 2,842.90 zloty per month
Lubusz (Gorzów Wielkopolski) 2,820.40 zloty per month
Łódź Province (Łódź) 2,951.63 zloty per month
Lesser Poland (Kraków) 3,092.64 zloty per month
Masovia (Warszawa) 3,921.01 zloty per month
Opole (Opole) 2,910.38 zloty per month
Subcarpathia (Rzeszów) 2,753.52 zloty per month
Podlaskie (Białystok) 2,846.40 zloty per month
Pomerania (Gdańsk) 3,154.33 zloty per month
Silesia (Katowice) 3,210.59 zloty per month
Świętokrzyskie (Kielce) 2,767.89 zloty per month
Warmia-Masuria (Olsztyn) 2,699.05 zloty per month
Greater Poland (Poznań) 2,940.81 zloty per month
West Pomerania (Szczecin) 2,909.16 zloty per month
Residency permits for foreigners
Location Income Threshold
Anywhere in Poland 528 zloty per person per month 701 zloty per person per month for single-person household

Analysis & Comments: Employers should be sure to account for the new salary minimums when planning their budgets. Polish authorities are expected to announce new EU Blue Card salary thresholds in the first quarter of 2020.

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