This is one of several proposals taken into account by the Council of Ministers. Currently, the minimum salary is PLN 4,806 gross. This means an increase of 3%. and this is one of the lowest minimum wage increases in recent years.
The proposed minimum hourly rate for specific civil law contracts from January 1, 2027 is to amount to PLN 32.30, which means an increase of PLN 0.90 compared to the amount applicable in 2026 (PLN 31.40).
The government estimates that the number of people affected by the minimum wage increase will be 1.58 million.
How is the minimum wage determined?
The process of determining the minimum wage is as follows: by June 15, the government submits to the Social Dialogue Council a proposal for the minimum wage applicable from January 1 of the following year. Trade unions and employers' organizations then conduct negotiations. They usually have 30 days to do so from receiving the proposal, i.e. until mid-July. If the RDS parties reach an agreement, the agreed amount becomes the basis for further government actions.
If there is no agreement (which happens quite often), the decision is made independently by the Council of Ministers. It must establish the amount of the minimum wage by regulation no later than September 15 of the preceding year. From that moment on, the amount is final and known several months in advance before it enters into force on January 1.
The government's proposal is influenced by, among others, forecasted inflation, expected economic growth, situation on the labor market, wage levels and statutory rules guaranteeing a minimum increase in the minimum wage. Unlike the indexation of pensions, there is no single formula based on data for the past year – it is a decision based mainly on economic forecasts and social negotiations, which is why the final amount of the minimum wage is known already in September of the previous year.
