Poland has a comprehensive framework of statutory leave entitlements designed to support employee well-being and work-life balance. These entitlements cover various circumstances, including annual vacation, public holidays, illness, and parental responsibilities. Understanding these regulations is crucial for employers operating in Poland to ensure compliance and maintain positive employee relations.
Polish labor law clearly defines the minimum leave entitlements for employees, aiming to provide adequate rest, time off for personal matters, and support for families. The specific amount of leave and the conditions under which it can be taken are governed by the Labor Code, with some variations depending on factors like length of service and the type of employment contract. Below is a detailed overview of the key leave policies in Poland.
Annual Vacation Leave
All employees in Poland are entitled to paid annual vacation leave. The minimum amount of leave depends on the employee's length of service:
- Employees with less than 10 years of service are entitled to 20 days of leave per year.
- Employees with more than 10 years of service are entitled to 26 days of leave per year.
The length of service includes all periods of employment, regardless of breaks in employment or the number of employers. Importantly, periods of education also count towards the length of service required for vacation leave. Specifically:
- Basic vocational school: 3 years
- Secondary vocational school: 5 years
- Secondary general education school: 4 years
- Post-secondary school: 6 years
- Higher education: 8 years
If an employee has completed multiple levels of education, only the highest level is counted.
Vacation leave should be taken in the year it is accrued, although employers can require employees to take up to 12 days of leave during the notice period if the employment contract is terminated. Employers are obligated to grant leave according to a leave schedule agreed upon with the employees, taking into account the needs of both the employee and the company. At least one part of the leave should cover a minimum of 14 consecutive calendar days.
Public Holidays
Poland observes several public holidays each year, during which employees are entitled to a day off with pay. If a public holiday falls on a Sunday, employers are not required to provide an additional day off. However, if a public holiday falls on a Saturday, employers are required to grant employees another day off during the same settlement period.
Here is a list of public holidays in Poland in 2025:
| Date | Holiday Name |
|---|---|
| January 1 | New Year's Day |
| January 6 | Epiphany |
| April 20 | Easter Sunday |
| April 21 | Easter Monday |
| May 1 | Labour Day |
| May 3 | Constitution Day |
| June 8 | Pentecost Sunday |
| June 19 | Corpus Christi |
| August 15 | Assumption of Mary |
| November 1 | All Saints' Day |
| November 11 | Independence Day |
| December 25 | Christmas Day |
| December 26 | Second Day of Christmas (St. Stephen's Day) |
Sick Leave
Employees in Poland are entitled to sick leave if they are unable to work due to illness. The entitlement and compensation during sick leave are as follows:
- Duration: Employees are entitled to sick leave for up to 182 days per year. For certain illnesses, such as tuberculosis or during pregnancy, the sick leave period can be extended to 270 days.
- Compensation: During sick leave, employees typically receive 80% of their regular salary. However, they are entitled to 100% of their salary if the sick leave is due to:
- An accident on the way to or from work
- Pregnancy
- Undergoing tests to donate organs or tissues
The first 33 days of sick leave in a calendar year are paid by the employer. After 33 days, the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) pays the sick leave benefit.
Parental Leave
Poland provides extensive parental leave benefits to support parents in caring for their children. These include maternity leave, paternity leave, parental leave, and childcare leave.
Maternity Leave
- Duration: The duration of maternity leave depends on the number of children born during one birth:
- One child: 20 weeks
- Two children: 31 weeks
- Three children: 33 weeks
- Four children: 35 weeks
- Five or more children: 37 weeks
- Pay: During maternity leave, the employee receives 100% of their salary. At least 6 weeks of maternity leave must be taken after childbirth. The employee can choose to take up to 6 weeks of the maternity leave before the expected date of childbirth.
Paternity Leave
- Duration: Paternity leave is 2 weeks long and can be taken at any time within 24 months of the child's birth.
- Pay: During paternity leave, the employee receives 100% of their salary.
Parental Leave
- Duration: Parental leave can be taken immediately following maternity leave and lasts for 41 weeks (for one child born during one birth) or 43 weeks (for multiple children born during one birth). This leave can be shared between both parents.
- Pay: During parental leave, the employee receives 70% of their salary, unless they apply for the full parental leave immediately after maternity leave, in which case they can receive 81.5% of their salary for both maternity and parental leave periods.
Childcare Leave
- Duration: Employees are entitled to 36 months of unpaid childcare leave until the child reaches 5 years of age. This leave can be split into a maximum of five parts.
- Pay: Childcare leave is unpaid, but the employee's job is protected during this period.
Other Types of Leave
In addition to annual vacation, public holidays, sick leave, and parental leave, Polish labor law provides for other types of leave to accommodate various personal circumstances:
- Bereavement Leave: Employees are entitled to 1 or 2 days of paid bereavement leave in the event of the death of a close family member (spouse, child, parent, etc.). The duration depends on the relationship to the deceased.
- Study Leave: Employees may be entitled to study leave to attend educational courses or prepare for exams, particularly if the employer requires or agrees to the training. The specific terms of study leave, including whether it is paid or unpaid, are usually agreed upon between the employer and employee.
- Sabbatical Leave: While not legally mandated, some employers may offer sabbatical leave as part of their employee benefits package. The terms and conditions of sabbatical leave, including duration and pay, are determined by the employer's policies.
- Marriage Leave: Employees are typically granted 1-2 days of paid leave for their own wedding.
- Leave for Childcare: In addition to the unpaid childcare leave, employees are entitled to take 2 days of leave per year to care for a child under the age of 14, with entitlement to salary.
