Working Hours and Overtime in Poland: Limits and Pay
Short answer: Standard time is 8 hours a day and 40 a week on average. Overtime is paid with a 50% or 100% supplement or given back as time off.
Working hours in Poland are set by the Labour Code, and the rules for overtime are stricter than many newcomers expect. This guide explains the standard working time, what counts as overtime, how it must be compensated and what the limits are. It is based on the State Labour Inspectorate (PIP) and the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy, as read in October 2026, and it applies to employees on an employment contract. If you work on a civil-law contract or B2B, see our guide to the differences between contract types.
Standard working time
According to PIP, working time under the Labour Code may not exceed 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week on average, and 5 days a week on average, within the settlement period. The settlement period is set by the employer, for example a month, a quarter or a year, and it is the period in which the employer must settle your hours.
To work out your hours for a period, PIP gives this method: multiply 40 hours by the number of full weeks, add 8 hours for each remaining weekday up to the end of the period, and subtract 8 hours for each public holiday that does not fall on a Sunday. PIP's own example for January 2023 gives 168 hours. See our Polish public holidays calendar for the dates.
Working-time systems
The basic system is 8 hours a day. When justified by the type of work or its organisation, the employer can use other systems, such as the equivalent system of up to 12 hours a day, the task system or the interrupted system. At the employee's request, a weekend system or a shortened-week system is possible. PIP also lists longer equivalent systems for jobs such as monitoring equipment or guarding property. The system, the schedule and the settlement period must be set in a collective agreement, the work regulations, a notice or the employment contract. The settlement period can be extended up to 12 months if there are objective, technical or organisational reasons and a collective agreement or an agreement with the unions or employee representatives allows it.
What counts as overtime
The Ministry says overtime is work above the standard working-time norms, and work beyond the extended daily norm that follows from the system and schedule that apply to you. In the standard system that means more than 8 hours a day, or more than 40 hours a week on average. Time you make up after getting time off for personal matters at your own written or electronic request is not overtime.
When the employer may order it
Overtime is allowed during a rescue action to protect life, health, property or the environment, or to remove a failure, and in cases of "special needs of the employer". It is banned for pregnant employees and for young workers. An employee who takes care of a child under 4 can be given overtime only if they agree.
The limits
The Ministry lists these limits:
- Because you must have 11 hours of daily rest, working time including overtime cannot exceed 13 hours in a day.
- Weekly working time including overtime may not exceed 48 hours on average in the settlement period. This does not apply to employees who manage the workplace on behalf of the employer.
- Overtime caused by the employer's special needs may not exceed 150 hours per employee in a calendar year. A collective agreement, the work regulations or the contract can set a different annual number, but never above the 48-hour weekly average.
How overtime is paid
You always get the normal pay for each hour worked. On top of that, the employer chooses between a supplement and time off, according to the Ministry.
- Supplement of 100%: for overtime at night, on Sundays and holidays that are not working days for you, on a day off given in exchange for work on a Sunday or holiday, and for overtime that exceeds the 40-hour weekly average.
- Supplement of 50%: for overtime on days that are working days for you, except at night, and also on a day off under a five-day-week schedule.
- If an hour exceeds both the daily and weekly norms, you get only one supplement.
- Time off at your request (made on paper or electronically): the same number of hours as worked. It can be given even outside the settlement period.
- Time off without your request: one and a half hours for each hour worked, to be given by the end of the settlement period.
For employees who permanently work outside the workplace, a lump sum can replace the pay and the supplement. Managers have separate rules. Overtime pay is part of your gross pay, so it changes your net amount. Try our take-home pay calculator to see the effect.
What to do if your overtime is not paid
First ask HR or your manager in writing. PIP gives free labour-law advice. The central lines listed by the inspectorate are 801 002 006 from landlines and 459 599 000 from mobile phones, on weekdays from 9:00 to 15:00. Keep your own record of the hours you work.
Frequently asked questions
How many hours is a standard working week in Poland?
Up to 8 hours a day and 40 hours a week on average, over 5 days a week on average, within the settlement period.
How much is overtime pay?
Normal pay plus a 50% supplement, or 100% at night, on Sundays and holidays and when you exceed the 40-hour weekly average. Or time off instead, at the rates above.
Can my employer make me work overtime?
Only in a rescue action, to remove a failure, or for the employer's special needs. It is banned for pregnant employees, and parents of children under 4 must agree.
What is the annual limit?
150 hours per employee for the employer's special needs, unless a collective agreement, work regulations or the contract set another number, with the 48-hour weekly average as the hard ceiling.
Does this apply to a zlecenie or B2B?
No. These are Labour Code rules for employees.
