Unpaid internships are set to become a thing of the past. A new draft law on internships provides that the monthly remuneration for an internship must be at least 65% of the minimum wage, excluding additional payments such as those for night work or overtime.<\/p>\n
The draft law also introduces a time limit on employment under an internship agreement. An intern will be allowed to work for the same employer for up to six months, even if several agreements are concluded.<\/p>\n
Employers will also be subject to limits on the number of interns they may host at any one time, depending on the number of employees they employ. Employers with 2 to 9 employees will be allowed to host interns equivalent to 50% of their workforce; those with 10 to 49 employees, 25%; those with 50 to 249 employees, 15%; and those with more than 249 employees, 10%.<\/p>\n
Where an intern is a minor, the minimum monthly remuneration will be at least PLN 500 until the intern turns 18. Employers will also be eligible for a subsidy of up to PLN 750 towards the cost of an intern who is a minor.<\/p>\n
Employers will be required to issue interns with a written certificate confirming the completion of the internship within seven days of its end.<\/p>\n
Employers who breach these limits or who fail to comply with the obligations relating to internships may face fines ranging from PLN 2,000 to PLN 60,000.<\/p>\n
Employers organising internships will not have much time to prepare for these changes, as the new provisions are scheduled to enter into force on 1 January 2027.<\/p>\n