Who is covered and what insurance provides
ZUS allowances depend on whether and to which insurance you are registered — not on citizenship. If you work legally and are covered by sickness insurance, you have the same access to them as a Polish citizen.
Employment contract
Sickness insurance is compulsory — you are covered from the first day of employment.
Mandate contract
Sickness insurance is voluntary — you must opt in (registration by the employer). Without it there is no sickness or maternity allowance.
Sickness allowance
It is granted after the so-called qualifying period — that is, after a certain time of uninterrupted sickness insurance:
| Situation | Qualifying period |
|---|---|
| Compulsory insurance (employment contract) | 30 days |
| Voluntary insurance (mandate contract) | 90 days |
Previous periods of sickness insurance count towards the qualifying period if the break between them did not exceed 30 days. The sickness allowance is, as a rule, 80% of the assessment basis (there are exceptions, e.g. 100% during pregnancy or for an accident on the way to/from work).
Maternity and care allowance
Maternity allowance
On being covered by sickness insurance and the birth/adoption of a child. No qualifying period — from the first day of insurance.
Care allowance
For personal care of a sick child or another family member. Also no qualifying period. Annual day limits apply.
Rehabilitation benefit, accident, pension
Rehabilitation benefit
After the sickness allowance is exhausted, when further treatment or rehabilitation offers a prospect of regaining the ability to work.
Accident allowance
When the incapacity results from an accident at work or an occupational disease — from accident insurance, with no qualifying period.
Incapacity pension
A long-term benefit depending on the insurance history and a ruling on inability to work.
Retirement pension
Depends on the insurance history; contribution periods in Poland count towards a future benefit.
Employment contract vs. mandate contract
| Issue | Employment contract | Mandate contract |
|---|---|---|
| Sickness insurance | Compulsory | Voluntary |
| Qualifying period for sickness allowance | 30 days | 90 days |
| Maternity / care | From day 1 | From day 1, if covered by sickness insurance |
Which documents are worth gathering
To prove your right to a benefit efficiently, prepare: the contract (employment or mandate), confirmation of insurance registration (ZUS ZUA), payslips/salary confirmations, the medical certificate (e-ZLA) and — for a mandate contract — proof of opting into voluntary sickness insurance.
Check whether you are entitled to a ZUS allowance
Give the type of contract and the date of insurance registration — we will assess whether the qualifying period has elapsed and what you can apply for.
Questions and answers
Is a foreigner on a mandate contract entitled to sickness allowance?
Does maternity allowance have a qualifying period?
Does changing employer interrupt the service period for sickness allowance?
Do periods of work in Poland count towards a pension?
Legal basis and sources
Legal acts (as of July 2026)
- Act of 25 June 1999 on cash benefits from social insurance in the event of sickness and maternity (the benefits act).
- Act of 13 October 1998 on the social insurance system.
- Act of 30 October 2002 on social insurance for accidents at work and occupational diseases.
- Act of 12 December 2013 on foreigners (legal residence and access to the labour market).