FOR EMPLOYERS, ENTREPRENEURS AND PEOPLE DEVELOPING COMPETENCES
Co-financing of training and competence development
Rozwijaj kompetencje własne i swojego zespołu dzięki możliwościom dofinansowania szkoleń, kursów, egzaminów oraz wybranych usług doradczych. Pomagamy identyfikować odpowiednie źródła wsparcia, w tym Krajowy Fundusz Szkoleniowy (KFS), regionalne programy finansowania usług rozwojowych dostępnych w Bazie Usług Rozwojowych (BUR) oraz Fundusze Europejskie dla Rozwoju Społecznego (FERS).
FREE INITIAL DIAGNOSIS
What type of training financing is worth using?
Answer six questions. You'll receive guidance and tips on what to check before signing up for the service.
Complete the answers to see a preliminary recommendation.
THREE SOURCES OF FINANCING
KFS, BUR/PSF and FERS – similar purpose, different procedures
Krajowy Fundusz Szkoleniowy (KFS) finansowany jest ze środków Funduszu Pracy, natomiast regionalne Podmiotowe Systemy Finansowania (PSF) oraz wybrane działania programu FERS korzystają z funduszy europejskich. Instrumenty te różnią się warunkami uczestnictwa, poziomem dofinansowania, procedurą aplikowania oraz zasadami rozliczania otrzymanego wsparcia.
National Training Fund (KFS)
Financing of continuing education for working people, organized by district labor offices. Applications are submitted by authorized entities, and the district labor offices process them through their own call procedure.
- For employers and eligible business owners, including those without employees.
- Up to 90% or up to 70% costs, depending on staffing level and limits.
- Application submitted electronically by praca.gov.pl.
Regional PSF and Development Services Database
The Subjective Financing System is a regional mechanism for supporting training and consulting. Funding is determined by the regional program operator.
- Typically services available in Development Services Database (BUR).
- The relevant operator, limits, own contribution and target group depend on the region.
- The settlement model may include refunds, vouchers or other solutions indicated in the regulations.
FERS programs implemented by operators
Instruments targeted at specific business challenges, such as personnel management, automation or the circular economy.
- HR Academy and management competency programs.
- Competencies in automation and circular economy and green skills.
- Support for companies in temporary difficulties and sectoral programs.
CHANGES IN 2026
What has changed in the National Training Fund?
The new KFS regulations require consideration of the company's situation, the number of full-time positions, and local call conditions. The funding percentage is a maximum level, not a commitment to receive it.
KFS also for the self-employed
From 2026, eligible individuals running a business can apply for funding, even if they do not employ any employees.
For 90% or 70%
Up to 90% for entities with no employees or up to 9 full-time equivalent employees; up to 70% for others. Per-participant and per-entity limits apply.
Training with a BUR implementer
The provider of training financed by the KFS must meet the requirements for entry into the Development Services Database. Their qualifications must be verified.
Application via praca.gov.pl
Documents are submitted electronically to the appropriate district employment office during the call procedure.
Spełnienie kryterium zatrudnienia nie gwarantuje uzyskania dofinansowania z KFS. Konieczna jest również weryfikacja pozostałych wymagań, w tym dotyczących Funduszu Pracy, zobowiązań publicznoprawnych, pomocy de minimis oraz warunków konkretnego naboru. Należy także uwzględnić obowiązki związane z utrzymaniem zatrudnienia lub kontynuowaniem działalności po zakończeniu kształcenia, z uwzględnieniem ustawowych wyjątków.
WHAT COMPETENCES?
What training and services can you seek funding for?
Funding may be provided for the development of competencies of employees, owners, and other eligible participants. Eligibility is always determined by the call rules, the type of service, and the rationale for the service.
Professional qualifications
Specialist courses, professional development, examinations and obtaining new qualifications – appropriate to the scope of the instrument.
Management and human resources
Team management, HR processes, communication, work organization and change in the enterprise.
Digitalisation and automation
Development of competencies in software, data analysis, AI, automation and modern processes.
Green transformation
Circular economy, resource efficiency, environmental competences and activities related to the low-emission transformation.
Nie wszystkie szkolenia i usługi doradcze mogą zostać objęte dofinansowaniem. KFS co do zasady nie finansuje szkoleń obowiązkowych na podstawie odrębnych przepisów, takich jak obligatoryjne szkolenia BHP. Możliwość finansowania usług doradczych i konsultacji biznesowych zależy natomiast od zakresu wsparcia oraz warunków konkretnego programu.
DECISION BEFORE SELECTING A SERVICE
Six things to check before submitting your application
Wybór odpowiedniego szkolenia to pierwszy krok. Kluczowe znaczenie dla uzyskania dofinansowania mają również spełnienie wymagań formalnych, prawidłowe przygotowanie dokumentacji oraz dochowanie terminów obowiązujących w danym naborze.
Applicant status
Legal form, number of full-time equivalents, SME status, employment method and links between entities.
Priorities and call for proposals
KFS applies mandatory priorities; PSF and FERS have their own operator terms, deadlines and limits.
Competency need
Justification why the training is needed for the job performed or planned changes in the company.
Authorized implementer
BUR entry, scope of service, program, conditions of participation and potential connections.
Budget and de minimis
Own contribution, type of costs, aid limits and method of financing until settlement.
Sequence of actions
Can I enroll a participant before the contract is signed? What IDs and documents must be created before the training begins?
Jednym z najpoważniejszych błędów jest rozpoczęcie lub opłacenie szkolenia przed terminem dopuszczonym w danym programie. W przypadku KFS kluczowe znaczenie ma zawarcie umowy z właściwym urzędem pracy, natomiast w programach PSF i FERS – przestrzeganie procedur operatora, zasad wyboru usługi oraz terminów kwalifikowalności wydatków.
NATIONAL AND REGIONAL PROGRAMS
Specialized competency development paths
Przedsiębiorcy mogą korzystać z różnych źródeł finansowania rozwoju kompetencji, nie tylko z KFS. W przypadku szkoleń dotyczących zarządzania personelem, automatyzacji, gospodarki o obiegu zamkniętym (GOZ) czy kompetencji branżowych warto również przeanalizować możliwości wsparcia w ramach programu FERS oraz regionalnych programów rozwojowych.
HR Academy
Support in human resources management and organizational adaptation to demographic and labor market changes. Eligible companies with employees participate in the program.
Automation competencies
Training and consulting support in the field of business and production process automation. Participation conditions and recruitment deadlines are determined by the operators.
Circular economy and green competences
Instruments developing competences related to the circular economy, low emissions and green transformation.
Support for companies in difficulties
Programs designed for companies meeting the criteria for difficulty and target group. A prior diagnosis of the company's situation may be required.
COMPARISON
Which financing path suits the company's situation?
Compare policies before choosing a provider and service date. In practice, the same course may have different statuses depending on the financing source.
| Criterion | KFS | PSF / BUR | FERS Programs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who allocates the funds? | District Labor Office | Regional operator | Program/Project Operator |
| Recipients | Authorized entities and persons conducting business activity, including sole proprietorships without employees | Participants specified in the regional regulations | The program's target groups, e.g. employers, specific industries or SMEs |
| Service | Continuing education, consistent with the priorities and principles of the KFS | Development service in line with operator and BUR rules | Training or consulting relevant to the project topic |
| Mode | Electronic application to the PUP during the call procedure | Enrolment with the operator, identification of support and settlement | Enrolment with the operator and project documents |
| Funding level | Up to 90% or up to 70%, with limits | Individually by region and call for proposals | According to the rules of the program and the operator |
| What to check? | Priorities, FP, BUR, de minimis, deadlines | Operator, participant, service card, procedure | Target group, topic, availability of places |
CONSULTATION RESULT
What do you gain after analyzing the possibilities of financing training?
Celem konsultacji jest rzetelna ocena możliwości uzyskania dofinansowania, identyfikacja odpowiednich źródeł wsparcia oraz wskazanie konkretnych działań niezbędnych do skutecznego ubiegania się o środki.
Preliminary Opportunity Map
- The right instrument: KFS, regional PSF or FERS thematic program.
- Formal requirements: target group, priorities, implementer's powers and documents.
- Risks and costs: financing, own contribution, deadlines and obligations after training.
- Action plan: the order of registration, selection of service and preparation of the application.
Prepare for the interview
- Voivodeship and district of activity and company status.
- Number of full-time equivalent employees and planned participants.
- Training topic, business goal and expected qualifications.
- Approximate cost, deadline and possibly selected supplier.
- Information about de minimis aid received and the current stage of enrollment.
DOTACJE ONLINE
Consulting on European funds
COOPERATION PROCESS
Three steps from training need to financing plan
01
You describe the needs
You indicate the participants, topic, region and planned date.
02
We are checking the possibilities
We verify financing directions, target groups, requirements and risks.
03
We agree on actions
We determine the appropriate operator, documents, sequence and conditions for further cooperation.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is worth knowing before choosing training?
Can a sole proprietorship with no employees apply for KFS?
Yes. From 2026, eligible self-employed individuals can apply for funding without employing employees. Other KFS conditions must still be met, including those related to the Labor Fund or statutory exemption, deadlines, and priorities.
How much will the KFS funding be in 2026?
The Act provides for funding of up to PLN 90% for entities with no employees or employing up to nine people on a full-time equivalent basis, and up to PLN 70% for others. Additionally, there are limits per participant and per entity, and the office decides on the allocation of funds.
Can occupational health and safety training be financed from the KFS?
KFS does not fund activities that an entity is obligated to provide under other regulations, including mandatory occupational health and safety training. For other types of support, the regulations of the relevant program govern.
Does the training have to be in the Development Services Database?
From 2026, providers of training financed by the KFS must have the required registration with the BUR. PSF projects typically also require a service card with the BUR; detailed conditions, including any exceptions, are set out in the regulations of the specific instrument.
Can I start training before concluding the contract?
It should not be assumed that services initiated or paid for in advance will be covered. KFS cannot fund training initiated before the required contract is signed. In PSF/FERS, the provider's deadlines and procedures must be followed.
Is it necessary to maintain employment after funded training?
The KFS generally requires participants to maintain employment for at least three months after completing their training, with exceptions provided for in regulations. Individuals conducting business activity and entities using civil law contracts have appropriate obligations regarding continued operation or cooperation.
Is every training automatically exempt from VAT?
No. The applicability of the exemption depends on the nature of the service, the legal basis, and compliance with relevant conditions, including the source and level of financing. Tax matters should be confirmed with an accountant or tax advisor.
Does the test show currently open enrollments?
No. The test indicates directions for verification, it does not collect real-time availability of funds from the Public Employment Agency or operators. Current and planned calls for proposals can be found in Mapa Dotacji and confirm with the institution conducting the call for proposals.
NEXT STEP
Before you order training, let's determine the appropriate source of financing
Introduce the training topic, number of participants, company location, and desired date. We'll determine what type of support is worth exploring and what information is needed to assess funding eligibility.