Starting January 1, 2026, new regulations regarding work seniority will be implemented in public finance sector units in Poland, while the rest of the employers will have to comply from May 1. These regulations significantly change how seniority is calculated by allowing periods of employment other than traditional work contracts to be included. This will potentially lead to a considerable number of employees gaining additional vacation days as they may suddenly exceed the 10-year seniority threshold.

The changes are aimed at recognizing various forms of employment that individuals may have engaged in, such as civil law contracts, business activities, and periods of personal child care, provided the appropriate insurance contributions were paid during these times. Many employees are expected to benefit from these adjustments, which could translate to more than six additional days of paid leave for those who can prove their seniority through a certificate from the Polish Social Insurance Institution (ZUS).

As the date approaches for the new regulations to take effect, there is already a surge in applications for the necessary certificates from ZUS, reflecting significant public interest in the upcoming changes. Workers have a 24-month period to present their certification of additional seniority, indicating that many are proactively preparing to take advantage of increased leave entitlements. The overall impact of this policy shift may lead to improved work-life balance for many Polish employees, as the new laws are put into practice.