Everyday life
Employment contract vs mandate contract: what changes for you in practice?
Verified: September 2026 Checked by: Katarzyna Porębska
Step by step
- Check whether the contract has you working set hours under a supervisor's direct instruction, if so, the law requires an employment contract.
- Look closely at the rate: Poland has a statutory minimum hourly rate for mandate contracts and a minimum monthly wage for employment contracts.
- Ask the principal about voluntary sickness insurance, without it, a mandate contract gives you no sick pay (L4).
- Find out how leave is settled, an employment contract guarantees 20 or 26 days of paid leave per year.
- Before signing, read every clause about contractual penalties and the notice period.
The form of employment you choose affects not only your monthly pay, but also your security, your right to paid leave and your residence legalisation procedure, a residence card issued for work requires specific income conditions and annexes.
The key differences:
| Feature | Employment contract | Mandate contract |
|---|---|---|
| Paid leave | 20 or 26 days a year (fully paid) | Only if written explicitly into the contract |
| Sick leave (L4) | Compulsory cover from day 34 of illness | Requires registration for voluntary sickness insurance |
| Notice period | Statutory (from 2 weeks to 3 months) | As written in the contract (often immediate) |
| Overtime | Paid extra (50% or 100%) | Paid at the hourly rate |
| Residence card | Viewed very favourably by the authorities | Acceptable, requires steady income |
A tip from the Mozaika team: if you work in a fixed place, at set hours, carrying out your manager’s instructions, the employer has no right to replace an employment contract with a civil-law one. If you have doubts before signing, book a free career consultation at Mozaika.
Where to look next
Official offices and verified external sources.
Does this not match your situation?
Katarzyna Porębska holds free consultations (career guidance and the job market). The conversation runs in Polish, English, rosyjski. No referral, no fees.