flash news: #minimum wages
On 4 March, the Central Statistical Office published a communiqué on the distribution of pay in the national economy in September 2025. The data shows that the median gross monthly pay in September 2025 was PLN 7,145.33, while the average gross monthly pay was PLN 8,649.13 – a difference of approximately 17%.
The draft minimum wage bill provides for a four-year minimum wage adjustment mechanism based on specific criteria, such as the purchasing power of a minimum wage, the general level of wages, wage distribution, wage growth rates and long-term productivity levels. In the ruling of 11 November 2025 (C-19/23), the Court of Justice of the EU declared that that criteria is invalid. As a result, the government will probably have to re-examine the bill, and consult social partners.
The Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy is delaying the implementation of regulations excluding benefits from the minimum wage.
On 12 June 2025, the Council of Ministers adopted a minimum wage proposal for 2026. As of 1 January, it is to be PLN 4,806 gross, an increase of PLN 140 (3%) from the current PLN 4,666 gross. The minimum hourly rate is to increase from PLN 30.20 to PLN 31.40.
Media reports indicate that the Labour Ministry proposes to increase the minimum wage in 2026 to PLN 5,020 gross (approximately PLN 3,750 net). The Ministry indicates that that amount will be in line with the forecast of salary growth in the national economy. The proposal is slightly higher than the PLN 5,015 gross postulated by the representatives of trade unions.
Yesterday, the website of the Government’s Legislation Centre published a new draft bill on minimum wages. Its purpose is to implement Directive (EU) 2022/2041 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 19 October 2022 on adequate minimum wages in the European Union.