How to calculate maternity pay in Poland
- 1.
Enter your average gross pay
Enter the average monthly gross salary from the 12 months before the month of birth.
- 2.
Choose the number of children
The number of children born at one birth decides the length of maternity and parental leave.
- 3.
Set parental leave
Enter how many weeks of parental leave you will take (up to 32 for one child).
- 4.
Compare the options
Switch between 81.5% and 100% + 70% to see the monthly amount, the total and the net figures.
How much maternity benefit you get in 2026
In Poland, maternity benefit (zasiłek macierzyński) is paid by ZUS for both maternity leave and parental leave. It is available to employees and to anyone who pays sickness insurance, including foreigners working legally in Poland. The rate depends on when you apply for parental leave (Art. 31 of the Sickness Benefit Act):
| Option | Maternity leave | Parental leave |
|---|---|---|
| Both leaves applied for within 21 days of birth | 81.5% | 81.5% |
| Parental leave applied for later | 100% | 70% |
| Other parent's 9 weeks of parental leave | - | 70% (always) |
The base is your average gross pay from the 12 months before birth minus 13.71% social contributions. The benefit cannot be lower than the parental allowance of PLN 1,000 a month, and the full-time base cannot be lower than PLN 4,147.10 (minimum wage PLN 4,806 - 13.71%). No ZUS or health contributions are deducted - only the 12% income tax advance, reduced by PLN 300 if the payer applies the tax-reducing amount.
How long maternity and parental leave last
| Children at one birth | Maternity leave | Parental leave in total | For the mother (minus the father's 9 weeks) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20 weeks | 41 weeks | 32 weeks |
| 2 | 31 weeks | 43 weeks | 34 weeks |
| 3 | 33 weeks | 43 weeks | 34 weeks |
| 4 | 35 weeks | 43 weeks | 34 weeks |
| 5 or more | 37 weeks | 43 weeks | 34 weeks |
Legal basis: Art. 180 § 1 and Art. 182¹a of the Labour Code. Each parent has 9 weeks of parental leave that cannot be transferred; if the father (other parent) does not use them, they are lost. With one child the mother can therefore be on paid leave for 52 weeks in total (20 + 32).
Which option pays more - an example
Example: average gross PLN 7,000, one child, the mother takes all 32 weeks of her parental leave. Base: 7,000 × (1 - 13.71%) = PLN 6,040.30.
| 81.5% throughout | 100% + 70% | |
|---|---|---|
| Maternity (20 weeks), monthly | PLN 4,922.84 | PLN 6,040.30 |
| Parental (32 weeks), monthly | PLN 4,922.84 | PLN 4,228.21 |
| Total gross | PLN 59,728.76 | PLN 59,758.16 |
If you take the whole leave, both options pay almost the same - the difference is about PLN 30. The 81.5% option gives a steady income; 100% + 70% gives more money in the first months. 100% + 70% is clearly better if you plan to return to work early and use only part of the parental leave. If you chose 81.5% and in the end take no parental leave in the child's first year, ZUS tops up the maternity leave benefit to 100% on request.
Maternity benefit formula
- Base = average gross over 12 months × (1 - 13.71%).
- Monthly benefit = base × 100%, 81.5% or 70% (at least PLN 1,000).
- Daily rate = monthly benefit ÷ 30, rounded to the grosz.
- Benefit for the period = daily rate × number of days (weeks × 7).
- Net = benefit - income tax advance (12%, minus PLN 300 with PIT-2).
Example at 100%: PLN 6,040.30 ÷ 30 = PLN 201.34 a day; for 20 weeks (140 days) that is PLN 28,187.60 gross. Monthly tax: 6,040.30 × 12% - 300 = PLN 425, so about PLN 5,615.30 net. Sick leave during pregnancy is paid at 100% - see the sick pay calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How much maternity pay do I get on PLN 7,000 gross?
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Which is better: 81.5% or 100% + 70%?
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When do I have to apply to get 81.5%?
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What is the minimum maternity benefit?
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Are ZUS contributions deducted from maternity benefit?
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How much parental leave does the father get?
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How long is maternity leave for twins?
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