Recent years have been a test of resilience for entrepreneurs. Minimum wage increases – 19.6 percent. in 2023 and as much as 21.6 percent in 2024 – overlapped with an increase in other costs, all while the effects of the pandemic are still felt.
— The problem was the simultaneous increase in prices of energy, raw materials and services. The dynamics of the minimum wage itself were only part of this cost storm and if it had occurred on its own, it would not have been such a burden. – points out Mateusz Żydek, labor market expert at Randstad.
The effects were severe – just a year ago, more than half of the companies announced increasing prices, and every third limited investments to maintain liquidity. Some enterprises, unable to meet the growing wage expectations, fell into a spiral of turnover and recruitment difficulties.
Today the situation looks much calmer. According to Randstad data, as many as 65 percent employers estimate that next year's wage increase will not affect their operations, and only 12 percent considers price changes.
— In recent years, companies have become accustomed to cyclical changes in the minimum wage. Pay rises are communicated in advance, so they no longer cause so much emotion – says Łukasz Grzeszczyk, executive director of Hays for the Central and Eastern Europe region.
Minimum wage in 2026. Eastern Poland and small companies are still in trouble
However, peace does not apply to everyone. For some entrepreneurs – especially from central and eastern Poland – each increase in the minimum wage still means a serious challenge.
— Rising operating costs, including the minimum wage, are already having real negative effects in these regions. Economic stagnation has not been stopped, and in some places we are seeing it deepen – emphasizes Robert Lisicki, a labor market expert from the Lewiatan Confederation.
Entrepreneurs from these areas are calling for government support and consultations that could stop the decline in economic activity.
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Small and medium-sized companies that do not have the capital for automation are particularly vulnerable. In industries where human labor is difficult to replace – gastronomy, hotels or trade – each increase directly affects profitability.
— Smaller organizations feel the increases the most because they employ mainly low-skilled workers and have limited investment resources – adds Łukasz Grzeszczyk.
Minimum wage in 2026. A chance to fix pay scales
A smaller increase in the minimum wage gives employers not only financial breathing space, but also the opportunity to organize pay scales. Over recent years, the dynamics of pay rises has led to a flattening of wages: the difference between the salary of a beginner employee and an experienced specialist has decreased to a minimum.
— The increase in the minimum wage in previous years flattened the proportions between the earnings of people with low qualifications and those with higher competences. – recalls Robert Lisicki.
Now companies have a chance to restore proportions and truly appreciate more experienced employees. However, it depends on their decision.
— In our experience, an increase in the minimum wage rarely results in automatic adjustments to the wages of other workers – says Łukasz Grzeszczyk.
Those who, after a raise, earn only PLN 200-300 above the statutory minimum, most often start looking for a better-paid job – although this can be difficult in smaller markets.
How much does a minimum wage employee cost the company?
In the minimum wage debate, it is crucial to look at the full costs of employment. An employee earning the minimum wage of PLN 4,806 gross will receive PLN 3,606 net on his account – PLN 95 more than in 2025. But the employer will pay as much as PLN 5,790.28 per month – PLN 168 more y/y.
— This means that approximately PLN 2,200 of this amount goes to the state budget in the form of taxes and contributions – points out Robert Lisicki. For a company employing 50 people on minimum wage, this is an additional cost of over PLN 100,000. PLN per year.
Compared to other European countries, Poland already ranks ninth in terms of the minimum wage – ahead of the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary.
Automation? Not for everyone
The increase in labor costs encourages entrepreneurs to think about automation – and in fact, in recent years, some companies have accelerated their investments in technology. However, not all industries can afford this.
— Automation is not possible to the same extent in every sector. Gastronomy, hotel industry and trade are areas where human work remains crucial – says Robert Lisicki.
Small companies also have limited financial resources. Instead of robots and digital systems, they more often decide to optimize processes, reduce jobs or raise prices.
Minimum wage in 2026. Is Poland losing competitiveness?
Some entrepreneurs fear that rising labor costs will undermine the attractiveness of Poland in the eyes of investors. Experts reassure.
— Poland's entry into the group of the 20 largest economies in the world shows the scale of the change that has taken place. Wage increases and staff professionalization are a natural element of this process – Grzeszczyk emphasizes.
Poland still offers great value for money, a large labor market and high employee competences, while wages remain lower than in the West. This means that there is still room for further wage increases.
— Raising the minimum wage can motivate employees to improve their qualifications, which in the long run supports economic growth – adds expert Hays.
Companies should not let down their guard
According to NBP forecasts, wage growth in 2026 will amount to six to seven percent. — this is a level closer to the real efficiency of companies and economic growth. For entrepreneurs, this means stabilization and a chance to return to development investments.
— Companies stop investing to survive and start investing to grow. The funds may go to automation, digitalization and expansion into new markets – says Mateusz Żydek.
At the same time, he warns that the current calm is also related to the cooling of the labor market. Fewer offers available means less turnover – but this is a temporary situation.
— As the economy returns to faster growth, competition for talent will intensify again. And demography and the competence gap are not disappearing – sums up the Randstad expert.
