New approach to employment tenure in Poland: key updates for 2026

Beginning in 2026, Poland will introduce new rules for calculating employment tenure, significantly impacting employee entitlements. The reform broadens the range of professional activities considered when determining tenure.

Currently, tenure is based mainly on periods of formal employment (e.g. employment contracts). Under the new rules, other professional activities will also count if among other conditions, social security contributions were paid or the individual was covered by pension and disability insurance. The aim is fairer treatment of full-time employees, self-employed individuals and those working under civil law contracts by including their activity in tenure calculations. Tenure affects employee entitlements such as annual leave, seniority bonuses and jubilee awards (if provided in workplace regulations).

The changes take effect on:

• 1 January 2026 – for the public sector; and
• 1 May 2026 – for the private sector.

Recognised activities will include:

• Running a non-agricultural business.
• Work under civil law contracts, such as mandate, B2B and agency contracts (excluding contracts for specific work).
• Documented employment abroad.

These periods will be confirmed by a Social Insurance Institution certificate or other documents. Employees will have two years to submit the relevant documentation; after this, employers need not include these periods.

Employers must update internal regulations, recalculate tenure, adjust HR/payroll systems, maintain additional documentation and prepare for possible cost increases.