Many foreigners working in Poland have a 10-hour workday, especially in warehouses, production plants, logistics, packing, sorting, order picking and scanner-based roles. But is working 10 hours a day legal in Poland?
The short answer is: yes, working 10 hours a day can be legal in Poland. However, it depends on the type of contract, the work schedule, the number of hours per week, the working time system and whether the employer follows the rules on breaks, rest periods and pay.
Standard Working Time in Poland
If you work under an employment contract, known in Polish as umowa o pracę, the standard working time is generally 8 hours per day and an average of 40 hours per week.
This does not mean that every workday longer than 8 hours is automatically illegal. Polish labour law allows certain working time systems where employees may work longer on some days and shorter on others.
For example, an employee may work 10 hours on one day and have a shorter shift or an additional day off later. The key point is that the total working time must be correctly balanced within the applicable settlement period.
When Is a 10-Hour Workday Legal?
Working 10 hours a day may be legal if:
- it is included in the work schedule;
- the employee works in an equivalent working time system;
- the employer correctly records and settles working time;
- overtime is paid or compensated when it occurs;
- the employee receives proper breaks;
- the required rest period between shifts is respected.
In an equivalent working time system, the daily working time may usually be extended up to 12 hours. Longer shifts should then be balanced by shorter working days or additional days off.
Is a 10-Hour Day Always Overtime?
No, not always.
If your schedule includes a 10-hour shift and the working time system allows it, the 9th and 10th hours may not automatically count as overtime.
However, if your standard daily working time is 8 hours and your employer asks you to stay 2 hours longer, this may be overtime. In that case, it should be properly paid or compensated with time off.
How Many Hours Can You Work Per Week?
For employees working under an employment contract, the weekly limit also matters.
Working time, including overtime, should not exceed an average of 48 hours per week within the applicable settlement period.
This means that working 10 hours a day, 5 days a week — 50 hours per week — may be problematic if the employer does not correctly calculate, compensate or balance it.
Breaks During a 10-Hour Shift
Employees are entitled to breaks during longer shifts.
If the working day lasts at least 6 hours, the employee is entitled to a break of at least 15 minutes. If the working day is longer than 9 hours, the employee is entitled to an additional 15-minute break.
This means that during a 10-hour shift, an employee should have at least two 15-minute breaks included in working time.
Rest Between Shifts
Another important rule is the rest period between shifts.
An employee should have at least 11 hours of uninterrupted daily rest. In addition, the employee should usually have at least 35 hours of uninterrupted weekly rest.
For example, if your shift ends at 8:00 p.m., your next shift should generally not start earlier than after 11 hours of rest.
What About Umowa Zlecenie?
Many foreigners in Poland work under umowa zlecenie, which is a civil law contract. It is not the same as an employment contract, so not all Labour Code rules on working time, overtime or paid leave apply to it.
Under umowa zlecenie, the parties have more flexibility in arranging the working schedule. A 10-hour workday may be possible if both sides agree to such conditions.
However, it is important to remember that:
- working hours should be recorded;
- pay must not be lower than the minimum hourly rate;
- in 2026, the minimum hourly rate for umowa zlecenie is 31.40 PLN gross;
- the working conditions should be clear before you start the job;
- health and safety rules must be followed.
If you work in a warehouse, production facility or automotive parts warehouse, pay attention not only to the hourly rate, but also to the schedule, breaks, working conditions and how your hours are recorded.
When Should You Be Careful?
You should pay attention if:
- you work 10 hours every day, but fewer hours are shown in the documents;
- your employer does not record your working time;
- additional hours are not paid;
- there are no breaks during a long shift;
- there is too little rest time between shifts;
- the real working conditions differ from what was promised;
- you do not understand what type of contract you have.
In such situations, it is worth asking the employer for clarification or choosing a trusted employment agency that offers legal work with clear conditions.
Summary
Working 10 hours a day in Poland can be legal, but only if it is properly organised. Under an employment contract, the employer must follow the rules on working time, overtime, breaks and rest periods. Under umowa zlecenie, there is more flexibility, but working hours should still be recorded and the hourly rate must not be lower than the legal minimum.
If you are looking for legal work in Poland, always check the contract, schedule and hourly rate before you start.
HR Work helps foreign candidates find legal jobs in Poland with clear conditions, transparent schedules and proper documentation. Check our current job offers and choose the one that suits you best.
