Poland’s National Training Fund (Krajowy Fundusz Szkoleniowy, KFS) is a public instrument that lets employers get a subsidy for employees’ continuing education — up to 80% of training costs for companies with over 10 employees, up to 100% for micro-enterprises — administered by the local district labour office tied to the company’s address.
Quick Overview
What you’ll learn:
- How much a company can realistically save on training through KFS
- What the application process looks like, step by step
- Which types of training qualify for funding, and which don’t
- What formal mistakes to avoid so an application isn’t rejected
Who this article is for:
- Business owners and HR teams in Poland planning a training budget
- Managers of Poland-based teams looking to fund development without straining the department budget
- Anyone responsible for the relationship with the local labour office
Reading time: 6 minutes
Financing team training with Poland’s National Training Fund (KFS)
KFS is funded from Labour Fund contributions, and every year district labour offices receive a pool of funds to allocate among employers who submit applications — funds aren’t awarded automatically, but through a competitive application process, which means the submission window (announced by a specific local office) directly affects your chances of getting funded. Eligible costs cover courses and training itself, as well as required medical and psychological examinations and accident insurance for the duration of the training.
How much you can realistically save
The funding level depends on company size: employers with up to 10 employees (micro-enterprises) can get up to 100% of continuing education costs covered, while all other employers get up to 80%, with the remaining 20% covered by the company. The annual KFS limit per employee is set by each district labour office within its available pool, so it’s worth checking the current limit locally rather than assuming one nationwide figure — amounts and priorities vary by district and by year.
The application process, step by step
- Check the year’s KFS spending priorities — the National Labour Market Council sets priorities each year (e.g. training in specific sectors or for specific employee groups), and applications aligned with those priorities have a better chance of approval.
- Contact your local district labour office and check the application window — windows can be short and announced with little advance notice.
- Prepare your application with attachments — the application form, a description of the planned training, a justification of the training need, and a quote from the training provider.
- Submit the application within the window — after the window closes, applications are assessed and funds allocated until the pool is exhausted.
- Once approved, sign an agreement with the labour office and deliver the training under its terms, keeping documentation that confirms delivery.
Common formal mistakes in KFS applications
| Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Application submitted after the window closes | Automatic rejection regardless of application quality | Track labour office announcements in advance, don’t wait until the last day |
| No justification tying the request to current priorities | Lower score in the merit-based assessment | Directly reference the current year’s priorities in the application description |
| Incomplete provider documentation | A request for corrections, delay or rejection | Prepare the provider’s quote and programme before submitting |
| A vague description of the training’s outcomes | Difficulty demonstrating the expense is justified | Describe specific competencies, not a generic “raising qualifications” |
When it’s worth applying — and when to look for an alternative
KFS works best for planned, recurring skills development — for example a cycle of manager training for several people at once, where the scale of the subsidy genuinely lightens the department’s budget. It’s less worthwhile to apply for a single, highly specialised course for one person if the delivery date is fixed and there’s no margin to wait for the outcome of the application round — assessment and contract signing take weeks, so companies with an urgent training need should also consider funding it from their own budget in parallel, and apply for KFS funding for the next cycle of the development programme instead. It’s also worth remembering that submitting an application doesn’t rule out planning your own budget as a fallback at the same time — this protects the training schedule from being delayed by an administrative decision the company doesn’t directly control.
Read Also
- How to Effectively Use KFS Funds: Practical Guide — an in-depth guide to using KFS funding
- Priority Industries in KFS Funding Opportunities — how priorities affect your chances of funding
Develop Your Skills
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can any company apply for KFS funding?
Any employer within the meaning of Polish labour law can apply — that is, an entity employing at least one person under an employment contract. Sole traders with no employees don’t qualify for this instrument under the standard track.
Does the funding cover online training?
Yes, the delivery format (in-person or online) is not by itself a disqualifying factor — what matters is that the training falls within that year’s KFS spending priorities and the application meets the formal requirements.
What happens if a district’s KFS pool runs out before you submit?
An application submitted after a given round’s pool is exhausted won’t be funded in that round — it’s worth checking whether the local office plans another round that year, and considering submitting earlier next time.
Can KFS be combined with other training funding sources?
Rules on combining different funding sources (e.g. KFS and EU funds) depend on the specific call and programme regulations — it’s worth verifying directly with the district labour office before applying, to avoid double-funding the same cost.