Poland: Eligibility for sickness and care allowances

Entrepreneurs and mandate contract workers in Poland may be eligible for sickness and care allowances, provided they meet specific insurance requirements.

Entrepreneurs can receive care allowances to look after sick family members, such as children, spouses, parents, or siblings, if they are subject to voluntary sickness insurance and do not have social security arrears exceeding 1% of the minimum wage. Care allowances are limited to a maximum of 60 days per calendar year for certain circumstances, such as caring for a sick child under 14 or a healthy child under 8 due to unforeseen nursery or kindergarten closures.

Mandate contract workers (zleceniobiorcy) are eligible for sickness benefits only if they have voluntarily opted into sickness insurance. This requires being subject to mandatory pension and disability insurance. Generally, a 90-day waiting period of continuous voluntary insurance is required before benefits can be claimed, though exceptions exist for accidents occurring on the way to or from work. Sickness benefits for these workers typically amount to 80% of the basis, increasing to 100% in cases of pregnancy or work-related accidents.