Employment law · Poland
Employment contract lawyer in Poland — your rights at work
A dismissal, an unpaid salary or a contract clause you did not expect: employment problems in Poland almost always come with a deadline attached. Tell us what happened and we will match you, free of charge, with a lawyer who handles employment contract matters before the Polish courts.
- Free matching with an employment lawyer in Poland
- Both adwokat and radca prawny available
- Clear answers on deadlines, court fees and procedure
No obligation. We share your request only with lawyers who handle employment contract matters in Poland.
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Why the Polish Labour Code shapes your case
If you work in Poland under an employment contract, the Labour Code (Kodeks pracy, 1974) sets the framework for your pay, notice, working time and dismissal. When something goes wrong — a dismissal you believe is unfair, wages that were not paid, a contract presented on terms you did not expect — the first practical question is usually about time and jurisdiction. An employment contract lawyer in Poland can read your documents, explain how the Labour Code applies to your situation and represent you before the ordinary courts if the dispute is not resolved. We are not a law firm. We take your description of the problem and match you with a lawyer who regularly handles employment contract matters in Poland.
Poland in practice
How employment contract disputes work in Poland
Employment relationships in Poland are governed principally by the Labour Code of 1974 and are heard by the ordinary courts. The sections below explain who may represent you, where a claim is heard, what it costs and which time limits apply, using official Polish and European Union sources.
Two legal professions, equal rights of audience
Since 1 July 2015 Poland’s two legal professions — the adwokat (advocate) and the radca prawny (attorney-at-law) — have held equal rights of audience before all courts. Both are compulsory members of their professional self-government. The practical difference lies in the form of practice: a radca prawny may work under a contract of employment, while an adwokat practises as a sole practitioner or in a partnership.
Where a labour dispute is heard
Labour cases fall within the ordinary courts, organised in three tiers: district courts (sądy rejonowe) as first-instance courts, regional courts (sądy okręgowe) hearing first- and second-instance cases of greater weight, and appellate courts (sądy apelacyjne) as second-instance courts. The Supreme Court exercises cassation jurisdiction and unifies case law. Poland follows the continental model, so codified statutes such as the Labour Code govern rather than judicial precedent.
The 21-day dismissal deadline
A claim challenging a dismissal must be brought within 21 days under the Labour Code. This period is measured in days, not years, and it applies specifically to employment dismissal claims rather than to the general limitation periods that govern contractual debts. If you are considering a claim, gather your contract, payslips and dismissal letter and take advice early.
What it costs to bring a claim
Court fees are governed by the Act on Court Costs in Civil Cases of 2005. For a pecuniary claim the fee is in principle proportional, at 5% of the amount in dispute, subject to a minimum and a statutory cap; labour law matters attract fixed or reduced fees. The filing party pays first, and the court may order the losing party to reimburse the costs.
Legal fees, and how they are recovered
Lawyers’ fees in Poland are freely agreed between lawyer and client, and there is no binding official tariff. What can be recovered from the losing party is capped by reference to the rates fixed by the Minister of Justice, so the amount you can claim back may be lower than what you pay. This is worth clarifying with your lawyer at the outset.
Free help, language and applicable law
Two mechanisms support people of limited means: free legal aid (nieodpłatna pomoc prawna) under the Act of 5 August 2015 through legal aid points, and exemption from court costs with a court-appointed lawyer (adwokat or radca prawny z urzędu), remunerated from public funds. Proceedings are conducted in Polish. EU law applies directly and takes precedence over conflicting national legislation.
Key time limit — Employment Law
Employment dismissal claim — 21 days. The period set by the Labour Code for challenging a dismissal before the labour court.
All country information on this page comes from official Polish and European Union sources — the European e-Justice Portal, the ISAP database of Polish legislation and the professional self-governments — consulted in 2025.
- European e-Justice Portal — National justice systems: Poland
- Labour Code (Kodeks pracy) — dismissal claim time limit
- Act on Court Costs in Civil Cases of 28 July 2005
- Civil Code (Kodeks cywilny) — limitation periods
- Prawo o adwokaturze and the Act on Legal Advisers — legal professions
- European e-Justice Portal — Types of legal professions: Poland
- Code of Administrative Procedure — administrative appeal
- Naczelna Rada Adwokacka (NRA) — Polish bar association
Common problems
What clients bring to us about employment contracts in Poland
These are the situations we are asked about most often. If yours looks similar, a short first conversation usually clarifies what is realistic.
The clock is already running
A dismissal claim in Poland must be brought within 21 days under the Labour Code. Waiting to take advice can close off options that were available at the start.
The contract does not say what you thought
Probation clauses, notice periods, pay components and restrictive covenants are easy to misread, particularly where the document was provided only in Polish.
The procedure feels unfamiliar
Cases are heard in Polish by the ordinary courts, in a three-tier structure that differs from the tribunal systems many people know from home.
How we help
A short path from your problem to the right lawyer
We do not give legal advice. We listen to your situation and route it to a lawyer whose practice covers employment contracts in Poland.
Matched within 24–48 hours
You describe the problem once. We review it and put you in touch with a lawyer who handles employment contract matters, with an average first response of one to two working days.
Both legal professions covered
Depending on your case you may be matched with an adwokat or a radca prawny. Since 1 July 2015 both have equal rights of audience before all Polish courts, including the Supreme Court.
Costs explained upfront
Polish lawyers’ fees are freely agreed; there is no binding official tariff. The lawyer who takes your case sets out the basis of the fee before you commit to anything.
Free to use
There is no charge for the matching itself and no obligation to instruct the lawyer you are introduced to. If the fit is wrong, tell us and we will look again.
Cross-border situations
Working in Poland for a foreign employer, or moving there for work?
Employment relationships with a cross-border element are common in Poland, and EU law applies directly and takes precedence over conflicting national legislation. If your contract, your employer or your place of work sits in more than one country, say so when you send your request — it helps us match you with a lawyer who is used to those questions.
Questions
Frequently asked questions about employment contract lawyers in Poland
Which deadline applies if I want to challenge a dismissal in Poland?
An employment dismissal claim must be brought within 21 days under the Labour Code. That period is short, so it is worth having your contract and dismissal letter reviewed straight away and asking a lawyer to confirm how the period is calculated in your particular case.
Which courts hear employment disputes in Poland?
Labour cases fall within the ordinary courts. District courts act as first-instance courts, regional courts hear first- and second-instance cases of greater weight, and appellate courts hear second-instance appeals. The Supreme Court exercises cassation jurisdiction and unifies case law. Poland follows the continental model, so codified statutes govern rather than precedent.
Who can represent me — an adwokat or a radca prawny?
Both. Since 1 July 2015 the two Polish professions have had equal rights of audience before all courts. Both are compulsory members of their professional self-government. The practical difference is the form of practice: a radca prawny may be employed under a contract of employment, while an adwokat practises as a sole practitioner or in a partnership.
How much does an employment contract lawyer in Poland cost?
Fees are freely agreed between lawyer and client; there is no binding official tariff. If the matter goes to court, a pecuniary claim attracts a proportional fee of 5% of the amount in dispute, although labour law matters attract fixed or reduced fees, and the amount recoverable from the losing party is capped by statutory rates.
Can I get free legal help if I cannot afford a lawyer?
Two mechanisms exist. Free legal aid (nieodpłatna pomoc prawna) under the Act of 5 August 2015 is delivered through legal aid points. Separately, a court may grant exemption from court costs together with a court-appointed lawyer, whose remuneration is paid from public funds.
Do I need to speak Polish for an employment case in Poland?
Court proceedings are conducted in Polish. A party may in principle act in person, but in practice representation by an adwokat or radca prawny is required in many matters, particularly before the appellate courts and the Supreme Court. EU law applies directly where a cross-border element is involved.
Next step
Tell us about your employment problem in Poland
Describe what happened in a few sentences — the type of contract, what your employer did and any document you have received. We will match you with a lawyer who handles employment contract matters in Poland, free of charge and with no obligation.