An Overview of Poland's Maternity Leave Benefits

The parental leaves differ from country to country. Some countries mandate employers to offer a full year of paid maternity leave for new mothers. On the other hand, other countries have no such provisions.

Poland ranks high on the list of European countries with strong policies for maternity and paternity leave. It offers a remarkable 41 weeks of paid leave. With good law provisions to protect employees during this period, Poland seeks to improve the work-life balance of new parents.

Here is all you should know about parental leave in Poland.

Duration of maternity leave in Poland

Poland amended the duration of maternity leave in 2023. The government proposed a bill that would allow parents more time off work to spend with their babies.

Under the new law, all mothers are entitled to 20 weeks of paid maternal leave for one child.

In the case of twins, the paid leave extends to 31 weeks. It extends to 33 weeks for triplets, 35 for quadruplets, and 37 for quintuplets.

When can mothers start their maternity leave in Poland?

Mothers can start the maternity leave up to six weeks before the due date. However, they may choose not to start maternity leave early. In that case, the maternity leave starts on the delivery date.

Maternity leave period after childbirth

Poland has a mandatory 14-week leave period for new mothers, though they are entitled to 20 weeks of paid maternal leave. However, if the mother wishes to return to work after 14 weeks, she can do so. The father can use the remaining six weeks of leave.

Parental leave in Poland

In addition to maternity leave, new parents are also eligible for parental leave of up to 41 weeks for a single child. It goes up to 43 weeks for a multiple birth or adoption. Either one of the parents can use this leave. If the parents decide to take parental leave, it starts after maternity leave.

How the parents will use these weeks depends on the agreement between them. Each parent is entitled to 9 weeks, which they cannot transfer to one another. Parents may divide the leave between them or can use parts of it at the same time.

The parents can use these weeks at once, or they can distribute the weeks in parts. They can divide them into four parts. The parents should use their parental weeks before the end of the calendar year when the child turns six years old.

Maternity pay in Poland

Maternity pay in Poland differs for maternity leave and parental leave. Maternity leave is compensated at 100%. Still, it is based on the sickness base over the 12 months preceding the leave. If parents take parental leave on top of maternity leave, the government pays the entire parental leave at 70% of the salary.

In Poland, the Social Insurance Institution covers maternity and parental pay. The employer pays the maternity and parental leave in the monthly payslip. The employer reconciles these payments with the Social Insurance Institution.

Paternity leave

Fathers in Poland are eligible for 14 days of parental leave, regardless of parental or maternity leave. They must use these two weeks before the baby’s first birthday.

Fathers can take 14 consequent days or divide them into two periods. This is a more liberal approach to paternity leave than those offered by other countries. For example, in Czechia, fathers have to take 14 days in continuity.

Paternity pay is 100% of the previous 12 months' sickness base.

Maternity leave taken by the father

If the mother decides to return to work after the mandatory 14-week period, she may transfer the remaining six weeks to the father. In the event of the birth or adoption of two or more children, the number of weeks extends by two weeks per child.

These six weeks are not related to the 14 days of paternity leave.

Adoption leave in Poland

Polish parents who decide to adopt are eligible for the same benefits as biological parents. They can choose to take the weeks for maternity and paternity leave, as well as parental leave.

Law Protection during Pregnancy

Poland's laws protect parents throughout the periods of both maternal and parental leave, as well as during pregnancy. The employees are well-protected from dismissal under the labor law.

Employers can terminate their contracts during leave only under special and limited circumstances. However, those circumstances aren't related to parental leave. It can happen as a result of gross misbehavior on the employee's side.

Also, employees with children under eight years old can refuse demands from their employer. They can refuse to work overtime, relocate, or fly for work, and also refuse to work during the night.

A short history of maternity leave in Poland

Poland has a long history of radical changes in maternity leave provisions. These were heavily influenced by the times, and factors such as low fertility or low female employment rates.

Maternity leave in Poland was first introduced to law in 1920. It included eight weeks of leave. Those eight weeks came with a 100% wage replacement.

In 1948, Poland increased the maternity leave to 12 weeks. In 1972, it extended the leave to 16 weeks. The 16 weeks of maternity leave stayed in Poland until 1999 when it was extended to 26 weeks.

In 2010, Poland gave fathers the right to take over a part of the maternity leave. It added a two-week paternity leave the following year.

2013 was another year of significant changes for new parents. It introduced an extra 26 weeks of parental leave, giving parents a total of 54 weeks of leave. The replacement rate was calculated as either 100% for the first half of leave and 60% for the second, or 80% for the whole leave period.

Poland adopted the latest maternity leave provision changes in 2023. It extended parental leave from 32 weeks to the current 41.

FAQ

How long is maternity leave in Poland?

Maternity leave in Poland is up to 20 weeks for the birth or adoption of one child. In the case of twins, it extends to 31 weeks, 33 for triplets, 35 for quadruplets, and 37 for quintuplets.

Fathers are entitled to 14 days of fully paid paternity leave, and parents can also rely on 41 weeks of available parental leave.

What country has the longest maternity leave?

The country with the longest maternity leave is Estonia. It offers 20 weeks of fully paid maternal leave and offers the optional 62 weeks of leave available as either maternity or paternity leave.