Maximum working time in Poland (2026)

Last reviewed: 30 October 2026

In short: Working time may not exceed 8 hours a day and 40 hours on average in a five-day week over a settlement period. Weekly working time including overtime may not exceed 48 hours on average. Employees get 11 hours of daily rest and 35 hours of weekly rest.

RuleWhat applies
Maximum average weekly working timeEmployees (adults) in general employment48 hours [1]
Maximum daily working timeEmployees (adults) in general employment8 hours a day as the norm. In an equivalent working-time system the day may be extended to up to 12 hours, balanced by shorter days or days off, in a settlement period of up to 1 month (up to 3 months in specially justified cases, up to 4 months for seasonal or weather-dependent work). [1]
Minimum daily restEmployees (adults) in general employment11 hours [1]
Minimum weekly restEmployees (adults) in general employmentAt least 35 hours of uninterrupted rest each week, including at least 11 hours of daily rest. It can be reduced to no less than 24 hours on a change of shift or in the cases of art. 132 § 2. It should fall on a Sunday, except where Sunday work is allowed. [1]
Normal full-time working weekEmployees (adults) in general employment40 hours on average in an average five-day working week, in a settlement period of up to 4 months (extendable to up to 12 months for objective, technical or organisational reasons), within the 8-hour daily norm. [1]
Individual opt-out from the weekly maximumEmployees (adults) in general employment⚠ Not yet verified

Notes

  • The 48-hour limit does not apply to employees managing the workplace on behalf of the employer (art. 131 § 2).
  • Not applicable to managers or rescue operations, who instead get equivalent rest within the settlement period (art. 132 § 2 and 3).
  • The Labour Code articles read contain no individual opt-out from the 48-hour limit, but absence of a rule was not treated as a finding, so no value is given.

Sources

  1. Kancelaria Sejmu (Internet Service of Legal Acts, ISAP): Ustawa z dnia 26 czerwca 1974 r. Kodeks pracy (tekst jednolity, stan na 18 sierpnia 2026) (Internet Archive snapshot of 20 September 2026) (consulted 30 October 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.