A new Polish draft law proposes replacing civil-law contracts with employment contracts for internships, guaranteeing a minimum wage of 65% of the national minimum.
Key Changes to Internship Regulations
The latest draft legislation, submitted for further consultation on April 21, 2026, shifts the legal basis of internships from civil-law agreements to standard employment contracts. This change aims to reduce exploitation, a concern with the previous framework.
An exception is made for minors, who will be covered by a separate type of contract. The new draft emphasizes that anyone performing tasks under an employer’s direction, in a specific place and time, is legally considered an employee, regardless of the contract’s title.
Wage Standards for Interns
Interns will be entitled to a minimum wage equivalent to 65% of the national minimum wage. This applies to both full-time and part-time internships, with the amount adjusted proportionally based on hours worked. The initial draft proposed a wider range of compensation, from 35% to 100% of the average wage, including benefits for days off.
Restrictions on Temporary Agency Involvement
The draft law introduces a complete ban on temporary employment agencies providing interns. This measure intends to prevent internships from becoming merely a component of recruitment agency operations, ensuring a direct relationship between employers and trainees. Violators face fines ranging from 3,000 to 30,000 PLN.
Reduced Detail in Regulations
The current draft is less detailed than its predecessor, removing specific regulations regarding working hours and occupational health and safety (BHP). Previous versions outlined minimum and maximum daily/weekly working hours and specific provisions for individuals with disabilities.
Detailed obligations for employers regarding internship organization, such as providing workspaces, medical examinations, and BHP training, have also been removed, based on the assumption that standard labor laws will apply.
Contractual Simplification and Existing Provisions
The requirements for the content of internship agreements have been simplified, with a shorter and more general catalog of required elements. Specific notice periods for contract termination and provisions for extending the internship have also been eliminated.
The maximum internship duration remains at six months, and limitations on the number of interns per company and the prohibition of requiring prior experience from candidates are maintained. The law will not cover student and school internships, internships organized by labor offices, or apprenticeships in regulated professions like law or medicine.
Implementation Date
The proposed law is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027, replacing existing regulations on graduate internships.