From 1 January 2025, the minimum wage in Poland will increase to PLN 4,666 gross per month, which translates to approximately PLN 3,510.92 net (“net”) for employees who meet certain conditions. This change results from the provisions of the Council of Ministers’ regulation of September 2024 and is a continuation of annual increases aimed at improving the financial situation of employees earning the lowest rates.
Reasons for increasing the minimum wage
The increase in the minimum wage is due to, among other things, rising inflation and the need to improve the quality of life of employees. Inflation has significantly increased the cost of living, and the increase in the minimum wage is to better reflect the real financial needs of employees. The increase in the minimum wage is also intended to increase the purchasing power of Poles, which can have a positive impact on the economy and increase the revenues of enterprises.
What will hourly rates be in 2025?
The minimum hourly rate for people working under civil law contracts will increase to PLN 30.50 gross . This amount applies to those employed under contracts for services, who will gain better remuneration conditions thanks to this change, preventing unfair practices towards contractors.
Who will get the raise?
The minimum wage increase applies to all people employed under an employment contract whose remuneration is set below the new minimum wage. Employers will be required to adjust contracts if they do not already comply with the regulations for a given year. According to estimates by the Ministry of Family and Social Policy, around 3.1 million people will benefit from the increase.
Economic consequences
An increase in the minimum wage can have both positive and negative consequences. It increases the purchasing power of employees, which can stimulate consumption, but at the same time it increases operating costs for entrepreneurs, especially smaller companies. This can lead to savings or even reductions in employment. However, compared to the European Union countries, Poland still stands out with a relatively low unemployment rate, which can mitigate the effects of the increase in employment costs.
Will minimum wage increases continue?
Experts predict that the policy of increasing the minimum wage will continue , taking into account inflation and general trends in wage growth in Poland. Further corrections are possible in the future, but the pace and scale of these changes will depend on the country’s economic situation and macroeconomic indicators, such as GDP and inflation.
Summary
The increase in the minimum wage to PLN 4,666 gross in 2025 will affect the budgets of many Polish families. The increase in the hourly rate to PLN 30.50 gross will also improve the situation of employees employed under civil law contracts. It is worth following further changes in regulations and economic forecasts that may affect the increase in minimum wages in the coming years.
