Polish teachers will receive retroactive pay increases in April 2026, resulting in some receiving several hundred złoty more, following wage adjustments effective January 1st.
Teacher Pay Raises Now in Effect, with Full Impact in April
While pay raises for teachers are already in effect, the full financial impact will be felt in April. Teachers will receive not only a higher salary but also retroactive pay for January, and recalculated allowances in many cases. This will result in payments increased by several hundred złoty.
The regulation concerning teacher pay raises, issued by the Minister of Education, came into effect on March 21, 2026, but is applicable retroactively from January 1st. This means salaries were paid at the old rates for the first three months of the year, necessitating a retroactive adjustment.
April Paychecks: New Rates and Retroactive Payments
From the beginning of April, teachers should receive their monthly salary based on the new, higher rates. The retroactive payment for January, February, and March should be paid out no later than April 19, 2026.
New Baseline Salaries for Teachers
The new minimum baseline salaries (for teachers with a master’s degree and pedagogical preparation) are as follows:
Pay Increase Amounts
The pay increase amounts to approximately 150–186 złoty gross per month.
How the April Payments Work
The mechanism for April teacher payments is straightforward, but the effect is noticeable. In April, a teacher will receive their salary for April at the new rates, plus retroactive pay for January, February, and March. This equates to four times the monthly raise. For example, if the raise is approximately 160 złoty gross per month, the retroactive payment for three months is approximately 480 złoty gross, totaling approximately 640 złoty gross more than usual.
Specific Calculations with Retroactive Pay
The following are approximate pay increase amounts with retroactive pay (full-time employment, without allowances):
Net Pay Considerations
Net pay will be lower – typically by around 25–30 percent (the amount deducted from salary for contributions + PIT).
Teacher Salaries: Old vs. New – Gross and Net
The following table shows the old and new salaries, both gross and net, based on teaching level:
Additional Allowances Also Increasing
The pay increase isn’t limited to the baseline salary. Some allowances also increase, but only those calculated as a percentage of the baseline salary. This means allowances like those tied to seniority will also be higher.
This is why April payments may be even higher than expected based solely on the baseline salary increase.
Important Note on Allowances
Not all allowances will increase. For example, if a motivational allowance is specified in the regulations as a fixed amount (e.g., 400–700 złoty), rather than a percentage of salary, it will not be automatically adjusted.
Retroactive Payments Include Related Benefits
The retroactive payment also includes benefits linked to the baseline salary, such as:
If these were calculated based on the lower salary in the first months of the year, they will also be recalculated.
Union Concerns: Is the Increase Enough?
While formally a pay increase, the teaching community argues it is merely an indexation. The Polish Teachers’ Union (ZNP) points out that wages are rising slower than the economy, and the differences between advancement levels are minimal. Consequently, teacher salaries still hover around the minimum wage.
ZNP Demands and Future Outlook
ZNP is demanding a 15 percent pay increase, citing inflation and the decline in the real value of wages. Further demands are also being made.
Temporary Impact: Higher Paychecks Only for a Short Time
April will bring a one-time “wow” effect – a higher paycheck will be noticeable. But from May, the situation will return to normal: baseline salaries will be higher by only about 150–180 złoty gross per month, without the retroactive payment. The effect of the raise will become much less noticeable. This is why emotions surrounding teacher wages remain high.