There's a lot to learn about maternity, paternity, and parental leave before introducing a kid into your family. Find out if you are eligible for any benefits in Poland.

Maternity Leave

All pregnant employees with a work contract in Poland are entitled to twenty weeks of maternity leave (urlop macierzyński), six of which can be taken before the due date. The leave is extended in the event of multiple births to:

• 31 weeks – if two children are born

• 33 weeks – if three children are born

• 35 weeks – if four children are born

• 37 weeks – if five and more children are born

If the mother wants to return to work sooner, she can only take the mandatory 14-week leave. The child's father can then take the remainder of the leave.

Law Protection

The employee is protected from dismissal by law during pregnancy, maternity leave, and parental leave, and their contract can only be terminated in certain circumstances, such as gross misbehavior on the part of the employee.

Parental Leave

After maternity leave ends, new mothers are entitled to 32 weeks (or 34 weeks in the case of multiple births) of parental leave (urlop rodzicielski). Parental leave is taken by the employee upon written request, no later than 21 days after the child's birth, and can be split between both parents.

Maternity Pay

The employee is given at least 52 weeks of paid leave to care for their newborn child in total. They are entitled to maternity pay (zasiłek macierzyński) in the following amounts:

• If they have not applied for parental leave, they will get 100% of their wage during maternity leave.
• If the application is submitted no later than 21 days after the child's birth, you will get 80% of your income for the duration of both maternity and parental leave.
• If the application is not submitted before the 21-day deadline, you will be paid 100% of your income during maternity leave and 60% of your salary during parental leave.

Work and parental leave

With the permission of the employer, it is allowed to work half-time while on maternity leave. After that, the allowance is reduced and the leave is prolonged to a maximum of 64 or 68 weeks.

Parenting Leave

All insured fathers are entitled to two weeks of paid paternity leave (urlop ojcowski), which they can use up to 24 months after the child is born. Paternity leave is provided if the employee submits a written request and is compensated at 100% of the employee's wage.