Poland develops platform work legislation amid rising freelancer competition

The Polish Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy is drafting a law regarding work performed through digital platforms (project UC160). This legislative move serves as a national response to EU Directive 2024/2831, which member states must implement by December 2, 2026.

The proposed law aims to address the legal status of platform workers, specifically regarding the presumption of employment and the burden of proof. While public consultations concluded in August, the timeline for passing the bill through the Council of Ministers, Sejm, and Senate remains ambitious.

This regulatory shift occurs as competition in the freelance market intensifies. Data from the Freelancehunt platform indicates a significant increase in competition, with the average number of offers per assignment in Poland rising from 17.25 to 26.67 over the past year. This trend places increased pressure on freelancers regarding rates, deadlines, and platform dependency.