New rules for calculating length of service in 2026 in Poland – the Sejm has passed an amendment to the Labor Code.
Length of service plays a crucial role in labor law in Poland. It determines, among other things, the entitlement to annual leave, seniority bonuses, jubilee awards, notice periods, and severance pay. Currently, the predominant form of employment recognized for service purposes is a standard employment contract. However, from 1 January 2026 (for certain entities) and within six months of the law’s publication (for the remaining employers), a new system will come into effect, resulting from the amendment to the Labor Code passed by the Sejm on 12 September 2025.