Work for teenagers in Poland: basic requirements and rules of employment

Are you planning to find an official job or a temporary part-time job for your teenager in Poland? Find out more about the age from which minors are allowed to work, what documents you need to prepare and what kind of salary you can expect

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Teenagers living in Poland are increasingly seeking to gain their first work experience and financial independence. Official employment at this age allows not only to earn their own money, but also to develop responsibility, discipline and important skills for the future.

Polish law clearly defines the conditions under which young people can work, setting restrictions aimed at protecting their health and rights.

Let's take a look at the main rules of employment of teenagers in Poland, popular fields of activity and the level of earnings in 2025.

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When can a teenager work legally in Poland?

If your child wants to earn money during the holidays or in his/her free time, it is important for parents not only to support the initiative, but also to take care of compliance with all legal requirements.

Employment of minors in Poland is possible only under certain conditions:

- The teenager is at least 15 years old or has received a special permit from the Labor Inspectorate.

- Completed at least 8th grade education.

- There is a medical certificate stating that the proposed work is safe for health.

- There is a written consent of parents or legal guardians for employment.

In accordance with Polish labor law, the status of a minor employee is granted to persons aged 15 to 18.

Even if a child has graduated from school but is under the age of 15, he or she will most often be denied standard employment.

However, there are exceptions: Children under the age of 15 can work in the fields of art, culture or sports, but only if they have the written consent of their parents and permission from the labor inspectorate.

What documents are required to employ a minor?

In order to arrange official employment for a teenager in Poland, you need to prepare the following documents

- Written consent of the parents or legal guardian for employment.

- A medical certificate confirming that there are no contraindications to a certain type of work.

- Conclusion of the psychological and pedagogical counseling center on the possibility of work (required before the age of 16).

- A certificate from the principal of the child's school confirming that the child has completed the 8th grade and meets the age requirements.

Where and how long can teenagers work in Poland?

During vacations or in their free time from school, adolescents are allowed to perform only light work that does not pose a risk to their physical or psychological health.

Permitted activities include, for example, picking berries or fruit. However, tasks involving heavy physical activity, such as carrying loads, are prohibited.

Working hours:

- During vacation periods, a teenager may work a maximum of 35 hours per week and up to 7 hours per day.

- The law (Article 203 of the Polish Labor Code) prohibits minors from working at night or overtime.

Regulation of working hours depending on age:

For children under 16, no more than 6 hours per day.

After the age of 16, up to 8 hours per day.

If the shift lasts more than 4.5 hours, the teenager is entitled to an additional 30-minute break.

Separate rules apply to schoolchildren:

On school days - no more than 2 hours per day.

During vacations - up to 6 hours per day (under 16 years of age) or up to 7 hours per day (over 16 years of age), no more than 35 hours per week.

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What salary can teenagers receive in Poland?

The amount of a teenager's earnings in Poland depends on the type of work chosen and the number of hours worked. Here are the approximate figures:

An internship allows you to earn approximately 2,000 to 3,500 PLN per month, as well as gain valuable practical experience.

Working as a waiter in catering establishments can bring in an income of 3,000 to 4,500 PLN, not including tips, which are often added to the basic salary.

Cooks and cooks' assistants usually earn between 3,000 and 4,000 PLN per month, depending on their qualifications and place of work.

In most cases, part-time work for young people is paid on an hourly basis. For 2025, the minimum rate is 30.5 PLN gross per hour.

Types of contracts for teenagers in Poland: what is important to know

Employment of a teenager requires a written contract with the employer. Two types of contracts are the most common:

Employment contract (Umowa o pracę).

It is regulated by the provisions of the Polish Labor Code (Kodeks Pracy).

Provides a high level of protection for the employee.

It guarantees:

Paid vacation (urlop wypoczynkowy).

Paid sick leave (zwolnienie lekarskie, L4).

Clear working time standards.

Official notice period for termination of the contract (okres wypowiedzenia).

Mandatory payment of contributions to the Social Security Fund (ZUS).

Assignment agreement (Umowa zlecenia)

It is subject to the Polish Civil Code (Kodeks Cywilny).

Most often used for seasonal or temporary work, including for students and teenagers.

Advantages:

More flexibility in the schedule.

Disadvantages:

Lack of guarantees of paid vacation or sick leave (may be additionally specified in the contract).

Special feature for students:

If an employee is under 26 years of age and is studying, then Umowa zlecenia is usually not subject to ZUS contributions. This means that the salary “in hand” will be higher, but social protection (e.g. sick pay) will be limited.

What documents does a teenager need to be employed?

To formalize your employment, you should prepare the necessary package of documents:

Passport or a document confirming legal residence in Poland (for foreigners).

A personal statement of the employee about the absence of another job or an agreed schedule if there are several jobs.

A medical certificate from a doctor confirming your fitness for work.

For adolescents under the age of 16:

Written consent from parents or legal guardian.

Conclusion of the psychological and pedagogical center on the possibility of employment.

If the teenager is still at school and is under 15 years old, the consent of the school principal.

Internal company documentation: applications, consents to the processing of personal data, familiarization with security rules, etc.

An employment contract signed by both parties.

Gross, net and taxes: what do teenagers need to know?

When discussing salaries, the amount of “gross” is often indicated - this is earnings before taxes and social contributions. Instead, “net” is the amount that an employee actually receives “in hand”.

In Poland, there is a tax benefit called “Zerowy PIT dla młodych” (“Zero PIT for the young”), which exempts people under 26 from paying personal income tax (PIT).

Young people under the age of 26 who are employed under an umowa o pracę or umowa zlecenia contract are eligible for the benefit.

Income limit: the benefit is valid if your annual earnings do not exceed PLN 85,528 gross (current data for 2025).

PIT will not be deducted from your salary, so the actual net amount will be higher.

How and where to find a job for a teenager in Poland?

The most convenient ways to find a job:

Online job platforms: sites such as OLX (Praca section) or Pracuj.pl offer a lot of ads for young people.

Employment agencies: there are specialized organizations that help minors find work.

Websites for temporary work: for example, the Workinn Europe portal (http://workinn-europe.com/), where you need to register to get access to current vacancies.

Social networks are also becoming an increasingly popular platform for finding part-time work. However, in this case, you need to be careful and always check the reviews about the employer.

Useful tips for those looking for their first job

1. Start your search in advance. The greatest demand for vacancies occurs in the summer.

2. Actively use social media and search engines. And remember - experience is often not required for your first job!

3. Ask friends and acquaintances. Sometimes it is through personal recommendations that you can find a good part-time job faster.

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We remind you! Ukrainian business in Poland is growing by 34% annually, and more than 10 thousand companies are already registered in the country. At the same time, several thousand Polish companies operate in Ukraine. We told you about the areas in which both sides are most active in business and what underlies this bilateral economic dynamic.

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