Parental leave in Poland (2026)

Last reviewed: 7 November 2026

In short: Maternity leave is 20 weeks and fathers have 2 weeks of paternity leave. Parents share 41 weeks of parental leave, with 9 weeks reserved for each parent, and the maternity allowance pays 100% (70% for parental leave). Dismissal is barred from pregnancy until the end of the leave.

RuleWhat applies
Maternity leaveTaking parental leaveMaternity leave is 20 weeks for one child, and 31, 33, 35 or 37 weeks for two, three, four, or five or more children born at one birth. No more than 6 weeks can be taken before the expected birth date. [1]
Paternity leaveTaking parental leaveA father is entitled to up to 2 weeks of paternity leave, to be used by the child's first birthday (or within 12 months of the adoption order, and no later than age 14). It can be taken in one block or in at most two parts of at least one week each. [1]
Parental leaveTaking parental leaveParents share up to 41 weeks of parental leave for one child (43 weeks for twins or more; 65 or 67 weeks for children with a "Za życiem" certificate). Each parent has an exclusive, non-transferable right to 9 weeks. Separately, an employee with at least 6 months of employment can take child-rearing leave (urlop wychowawczy) of up to 36 months, until the end of the year in which the child turns 6. [1]
Pay during leaveTaking parental leaveMaternity allowance is 100% of the calculation base for maternity leave, leave on maternity terms, supplementary maternity leave and paternity leave, and 70% for parental leave. If the parent applies under Art. 30a, 81.5% is paid for the whole of maternity and parental leave. [2]
Job protectionTaking parental leaveDuring pregnancy and maternity leave, and from the day a request for paternity or parental leave is filed until that leave ends, the employer may not give notice or terminate the employment, except for a summary dismissal for the employee's fault with the consent of the workplace trade union. Fixed-term contracts that would end after the third month of pregnancy are extended to the day of birth. [1]

Sources

  1. Kancelaria Sejmu (Internetowy System Aktów Prawnych, api.sejm.gov.pl): Obwieszczenie Marszałka Sejmu z dnia 1 września 2026 r. w sprawie ogłoszenia jednolitego tekstu ustawy - Kodeks pracy (Dz. U. 2026 poz. 1245) (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources
  2. Kancelaria Sejmu (Internetowy System Aktów Prawnych, api.sejm.gov.pl): Obwieszczenie Marszałka Sejmu z dnia 19 czerwca 2026 r. w sprawie ogłoszenia jednolitego tekstu ustawy o świadczeniach pieniężnych z ubezpieczenia społecznego w razie choroby i macierzyństwa (Dz. U. 2026 poz. 854) (consulted 7 November 2026) · all sources

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General information, not legal advice. Rules change: check the official source before you fly or ride.