On January 1, 2026, important changes in the Labor Code will come into force. Periods worked at the contract-order, running their own business or cooperation with entrepreneurs will be included in the seniority. .
The amendment to the Labor Code, which was approved by the Standing Committee of the Council of Ministers in May 2025, introduces significant changes in the way the seniority is calculated.
“Work is a job – each deserves respect and recognition! You ask in the comments if the new regulations will work back – yes!” – the minister wrote on platform X.
According to the project, the seniority will include:
– periods of conducting business activity,
– time of cooperation with a person conducting business activity,
– period of suspension of business activity to care for the child,
– periods of work on order contracts, for the provision of services or agency,
– membership in agricultural production cooperatives and cooperatives of agricultural circles,
– documented periods of gainful work abroad (not employing).
Vacation days. What do changes in the Labor Code mean for employees?
Changes in the regulations can significantly affect the number of vacation days to which employees will be entitled. Currently, the amount of holiday leave is:
-20 days-for people with shorter than 10 years of work, work,
-26 days-for people with at least 10 years of work experience.
The new regulations will enable the periods of seniority to include periods that have been omitted so far. For example, an employee with a 7-year experience who documents 4 years of work on the commission contract will gain the right to 26 days of leave instead of the current 20.
Seniority after new. Who will use the shifts?
According to data from the Ministry of Family and Social Policy, based on BAEL research from 2023, people working on the basis of employment other than the employment contract constitute 19.9 percent. of all working people. This means that changes may affect nearly 1.9 million people in the public and private sectors.
In order for the periods of work on civil law contracts or conducting business activities included in the seniority, it will be necessary to provide relevant documents. Confirmations will be issued by ZUS, and in the case of earning work abroad, general evidence will be applied.
