Doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals in Poland will see wage increases starting July 1, 2026, following negotiations between the government, unions, and employers.
Pay Increases for Healthcare Workers from July 1st
Wage increases for doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers will take effect on July 1, 2026. The increases amount to 8.82%, potentially adding over 1000 zł per month for some specialists.
Minimum Wages and Additional Compensation
The increases apply to the minimum base wages for healthcare professionals as stipulated by law. Many doctors, nurses, and other workers earn more due to additional pay for seniority, on-call duties, night shifts, holidays, and overtime.
Government Backs Down on Pay Freeze Plan
Earlier in 2026, the Ministry of Health proposed postponing the wage increases to 2027 and changing the calculation method. This triggered immediate opposition from the medical community, with unions threatening protests and demonstrations taking place.
Wage Increases Confirmed After Tripartite Talks
After three meetings of the Tripartite Team for Healthcare, the government reversed its decision. The pay increases will proceed as originally planned, maintaining the existing calculation method.
Wage Levels After July 2026 Increases
The key figure is 8.82% – the increase in the average wage in the national economy in 2025, as announced by the Central Statistical Office. The new base amount is 8903.56 zł gross, used to calculate minimum wages in healthcare.
Wage Table – Minimum Rates from July 1, 2026
Below are the key minimum rates (gross):
Specialist Doctor: 12,910.16 zł (+1046.67 zł)
Doctor without specialization: 10,595.23 zł (+858.98 zł)
Intern Doctor: approx. 8458 zł (+685 zł)
Nurse (Master’s + specialization): 11,485.59 zł (+931.17 zł)
Nurse (Bachelor’s/specialization): 9081.63 zł (+736.28 zł)
Paramedic / Physiotherapist: 8369.34 zł (+678.52 zł)
Healthcare Assistant: approx. 7000–7600 zł (+600–880 zł)
Non-medical worker (average): 6944.77 zł (+563.03 zł)
These are not full monthly earnings, but statutory minimum base salaries. Actual wages may be higher depending on position, experience, seniority bonuses, on-call duties, night shifts, work on Sundays and holidays, and internal wage policies.
How GUS Impacts Healthcare Pay Increases
The mechanism is simple but crucial. The law states that healthcare wages increase proportionally to the national average. This means that when the economy grows, healthcare wages also rise, and vice versa.
Who Will Benefit from the Healthcare Pay Increases?
The pay increases cover a wide range of employees employed under an employment contract in healthcare facilities.
Who Will Not Benefit from the Pay Increases?
Despite the broad scope, there are exclusions. This division is causing tension, with unions calling for regulation of the contract market.
Funding the Pay Increases: Pressure on the Healthcare System
The pay increases will cost an estimated minimum of 3.5 billion zł. This funding must be secured by the state or the National Health Fund. The healthcare budget is already strained, and employers warn of potential shortages in funding for services and increased risk of limited access.
Unions vs. Employers: Are Pay Increases a Good Investment?
Unions argue that without pay increases, there will be a shortage of staff, as young people are unwilling to work in public hospitals, and the entire system is aging. Employers emphasize the lack of stable funding, rising operating costs, and the need for systemic reforms.
Net Pay After Increases: Calculating the Differences
Wages are quoted in gross amounts, but actual net pay depends on income tax, social security contributions, and allowances. These figures are indicative – the actual amount depends on the form of employment and allowances.
Will Pay Increases Improve Access to Doctors?
In theory, higher wages should attract more workers to the public system. However, wages are not the only problem. Working conditions and system organization are also crucial. The private sector is also growing in importance.