Care allowance of PLN 215.84 for diabetes — will a foreigner receive it?

In July 2026 the media once again recalled that people suffering from diabetes may receive a care allowance of PLN 215.84 per month — regardless of income. Such publications, however, are addressed to Polish citizens and seniors. A foreigner is interested in a different, key question: with my residence title, am I entitled to this benefit at all? Below we explain the legal basis, indicate which groups of foreigners are entitled and which are excluded, and assess the risks.

1. What the care allowance is and how much it amounts to

The care allowance is a care benefit governed by Article 16 of the Act of 28 November 2003 on family benefits (consolidated text: Journal of Laws 2025, item 1208). It is granted to cover in part the costs arising from the need to ensure care and assistance from another person in connection with an inability to live independently. The amount is currently PLN 215.84 per month and is not subject to annual indexation — the next review of family benefit amounts is due in 2027.

Under Article 16 of the Act, the benefit is due primarily to: a disabled child; a person over 16 with a certificate of a severe degree of disability; a person over 16 with a moderate degree of disability, if the disability arose before the age of 21; and also a person who has reached the age of 75 (by operation of law). Diabetes is not listed in the Act as a self-standing ground — what counts is the certified degree of disability and the resulting limitations.

2. Is a foreigner with diabetes entitled to the allowance

The care allowance belongs to family benefits, so the circle of entitled foreigners is defined by Article 1(2) and (3) of the Family Benefits Act. This is the most important difference from articles written “for Poles”: not every foreigner residing legally in Poland is entitled. The Act lists, among others:

• foreigners to whom the provisions on the coordination of social security systems apply, or where this follows from bilateral social security agreements,
• holders of a permanent residence permit and of an EU long-term resident’s permit,
• holders of a residence card annotated “access to the labour market” — with important exclusions (including work for a period not exceeding 6 months, admission for the purpose of studies or seasonal work, work on the basis of a visa),
• persons holding certain temporary residence permits (including work in a profession requiring high qualifications, the EU Blue Card, selected grounds under Article 186 of the Act on Foreigners) — if they live in Poland with their family members,
• persons with refugee status or subsidiary protection, and beneficiaries of temporary protection with a PESEL number with UKR status — if they live with their family in Poland.

In addition, Article 1(3) requires the entitled person to reside in the territory of Poland during the benefit period in which they receive the benefit (unless the coordination provisions or bilateral agreements provide otherwise).

3. Diabetes and a disability certificate — how to document it

The basis for the allowance is not the diagnosis of diabetes itself, but a certificate of disability or of the degree of disability. It is issued by the District (Municipal) Disability Assessment Board. Only once you have the certificate do you apply for the benefit itself to the municipal authority (social assistance centre / benefits centre), also electronically via the mObywatel app or the Emp@tia portal.

In assessment practice, a well-controlled glycated haemoglobin result (HbA1c) alone is sometimes read to the applicant’s disadvantage. That is why — as patient guides point out — it is worth presenting not only a medical certificate but also a realistic picture of the illness: printouts from continuous glucose monitoring systems (e.g. LibreView, Dexcom Clarity), episodes of nocturnal hypoglycaemia and blood-sugar fluctuations, and a description of limitations in everyday functioning. This is a matter of practice, not a statutory condition — the assessment rests with the adjudicating panel.

4. Exclusions, risks and recommendation

Even where the residence condition is met and a certificate has been obtained, the statutory exclusions must be borne in mind. The care allowance is not payable to a person placed in an institution providing round-the-clock maintenance. Nor can it be combined with the care supplement paid by ZUS (this most often concerns pensioners and persons receiving a disability pension) — if the ZUS supplement is due, the municipal allowance will not be granted. The ZUS care supplement is usually higher, so for most entitled persons it is the more advantageous solution; choosing between them requires comparing the specific amounts in a given case.

Risk assessment. For a foreigner the most frequent risks are: (1) refusal because of a residence title outside the catalogue in Article 1(2) — a real risk, especially with short residence and work permits and work on the basis of a visa; (2) a negative decision of the assessment board where the documentation does not reflect the actual limitations — a risk reduced by thorough medical documentation; (3) conflict with the ZUS care supplement. A refusal by the municipal authority may be appealed to the local government board of appeal (14 days), and a disability certificate may be appealed to the provincial board. Before filing an application it is worth verifying your own residence title and assembling the documentation so as not to “burn” the case on a formal error.