20:48 28 June 2026
Offices under threat from new regulations and climate change
Nearly 5% of office buildings in Poland’s main markets still lack air conditioning, according to BNM Real Estate Advisory, with the problem most visible in older properties and converted townhouses. In Łódź, the share reaches 13%. Installing permanent cooling systems can be costly, technically difficult or impossible, especially in protected historic buildings. Proposed workplace safety rules could create new obligations from 2027: employers may have to suspend work when indoor temperatures exceed 35°C, though only while the threshold is exceeded and with exemptions for some sectors.
Employees in non-air-conditioned offices could therefore receive extra breaks or even time off during extreme heat. Current rules only require free drinks above 28°C.
