Poland among Europe’s hardest-working nations

31 May 2026 Poland Radar 0 Comments

New Eurostat data show working hours in Poland average 38.7 per week, placing Poland near the top of Europe.

New Eurostat figures show that the average worker in Poland now spends 38.7 hours weekly on the job. This headline number on working hours in Poland places the country near the top of Europe.

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Poland ranks high in European comparisons

Eurostat reports that only Greece reports more hours per worker. Consequently, Poland shares the 38.7-hour mark with Bulgaria. Moreover, Lithuania follows close behind at 38.4 hours. However, Western neighbours show much shorter weeks. The Netherlands averages 31.9 hours. Therefore, workers in Denmark and Germany log about 33.9 hours per week. The gap between Poland and the Netherlands reaches nearly seven hours weekly. In addition, that difference adds up to hundreds of hours across a year.

Why the working hours in Poland matter

Longer workweeks do not automatically mean higher pay or better output. Experts note that productivity depends on tools, management, and sector. Consequently, some Polish sectors show strong results. However, other fields face low wages despite long hours. Moreover, jobs in agriculture, forestry and fishing register the longest weeks at about 42 hours. In addition, managers often exceed 40 hours. Soldiers also report nearly 39.4 hours. Conversely, basic manual workers average only 31.8 hours. Administrative staff work about 34 hours. Retail and service workers average 34.5 hours.

Urban pressures and real daily hours

People in big cities feel the strain more. Warsaw commuters face long transit times. Consequently, travel adds unpaid hours to the day. Moreover, high living costs push workers to take extra jobs or overtime. Therefore, legal working time may understate the real burden. In addition, remote work changes patterns but also blurs boundaries between home and work.

What this means for expats

Poland follows EU labour law and national rules that set limits and rights. Therefore, check your employment contract for hours and overtime pay. Moreover, ask about social contributions and health coverage. For example, ZUS refers to the state social insurance institution. In addition, NFZ denotes the public health fund. Also, know your PESEL personal ID number for administration. Finally, note that a parking or speed fine is called a mandat in Polish.

💡 GOOD TO KNOW: Expats should read contracts carefully. Ask if overtime pays extra or comes as time off. Keep records of hours and emails. Register with ZUS or your employer for contributions. Also, enrol with NFZ or hold private health cover if needed. Finally, get a PESEL if you plan long-term stays. These steps protect pay and access to services.

Europe shows a clear long-term trend toward shorter hours. Consequently, average weekly time across the EU fell from 36.9 hours in 2015 to 35.9 in 2025. Therefore, Poland now stands out as an exception to that trend. Moreover, policymakers and employers will likely debate whether to prioritise pay rises, time off, or productivity reforms. However, for workers and foreign residents, the practical task remains clear. Check contracts, understand local systems, and plan commuting and childcare around actual working time.

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