Maternity and Paternity Leave Policies in Poland

Poland has comprehensive maternity and paternity leave policies designed to support working parents. These policies ensure that both mothers and fathers have the opportunity to care for their newborns while maintaining job security and financial stability.

Maternity Leave in Poland

Maternity leave in Poland is regulated under the Polish Labour Code and is available to all employed women, regardless of the type of employment contract.

• Duration: Mothers are entitled to 20 weeks of paid maternity leave, which can be extended based on the number of children born at once:
• Single birth: 20 weeks
• Twins: 31 weeks
• Triplets: 33 weeks
• Quadruplets: 35 weeks
• Five or more children: 37 weeks

1. Compulsory Leave: The first 6 weeks of maternity leave must be taken immediately after childbirth.
2. Early Leave Transfer: After 14 weeks, the mother has the option to transfer the remaining leave to the father.
3. Payment: Mothers receive 100% of their salary for the first 6 weeks, and 80% for the remaining period. However, if a mother opts to take parental leave immediately after maternity leave, she will receive 81.5% of her salary throughout both periods.

Paternity Leave in Poland

Fathers also have specific entitlements to paternity leave, ensuring they can support their partner and bond with their child.

• Duration: Fathers are entitled to 2 weeks (14 days) of paid paternity leave.
• Flexibility: This leave can be taken all at once or split into two one-week periods.
• Deadline: Paternity leave must be used within the first 12 months after the child’s birth.
• Payment: Fathers receive 100% of their salary during this leave, fully covered by social insurance (ZUS).

Parental Leave in Poland

After maternity and paternity leave, parents can also take parental leave, which provides additional time for childcare.

• Duration: Parents are entitled to 41 weeks of parental leave (or 43 weeks in the case of multiple births).
• Flexibility: This leave can be taken by either parent or shared between both.
• Payment: If taken immediately after maternity leave, parents receive 81.5% of their salary for the entire period. If taken later, they receive 100% pay for the first 6 weeks and 60% for the rest.

Additional Parental Benefits

• Parental Leave Protection: Employers cannot terminate an employee during maternity, paternity, or parental leave.
• Unpaid Parental Leave: Parents can request up to 36 months of unpaid childcare leave to care for children under the age of 6.
• Flexible Work Arrangements: Parents can apply for reduced working hours while caring for young children.

Conclusion

Poland’s maternity and paternity leave policies ensure a strong support system for working parents. These benefits help parents balance work and family life while providing financial security. The Polish government continues to improve these regulations, making Poland one of the more family-friendly countries in Europe.

If you're an expecting parent or planning to start a family in Poland, it’s essential to understand these entitlements to make the most of your parental leave options!