Maternity benefit (ZUS)
Benefit for an insured mother during maternity and parental leave (employment contract or self-employment with voluntary sickness insurance). Paid by ZUS — not by the employer. Mutually exclusive with the parental benefit (kosiniakowe), which is for UNINSURED persons.
Check all benefits →Who is entitled to the ZUS maternity benefit?
- Insured mothers — employment contract
- Insured mothers — self-employment with voluntary sickness insurance (contribution ≥ 90 days before birth)
- Fathers — during paternity leave (2 weeks) and tacierzyński leave (part of maternity leave when the mother resigns)
- Adoptive parents — analogous adoption leave (up to 20 weeks depending on the child's age)
IMPORTANT: mutually exclusive with the parental benefit (kosiniakowe — PLN 1,000/month for 52 weeks for the uninsured). You receive ONE of these benefits depending on your insurance status. Employees/entrepreneurs → ZUS benefit (typically higher). Students, unemployed → kosiniakowe.
How to apply?
Employee (employment contract)
The employer submits Z-3 to ZUS. You don't need to do anything yourself — the employer handles paperwork and ZUS pays.
Self-employed / contractor
You submit Z-3a to ZUS yourself + a copy of the child's birth certificate. Application via the PUE ZUS portal.
Parental leave
After 20 weeks of maternity leave you automatically move to parental leave (32-34 weeks). The rate drops to 81.5% if you submit the application within 21 days of birth — alternatively you can choose 100%/70% mode.
Combining with work
During parental leave you may work for the same or another employer up to ½ FTE while keeping a proportional share of the benefit.
Frequently asked questions
- How much is the maternity benefit in 2026?
- 100% of the basis during 20 weeks of maternity leave (art. 29 sect. 1). 81.5% during the next 32-34 weeks of parental leave, if you submit the application within 21 days of birth. Without the application: 100% for 6 weeks, then 70%. You choose the mode once — it cannot be changed mid-leave.
- Which is better — ZUS maternity benefit or kosiniakowe?
- The ZUS benefit is HIGHER for anyone earning above ~PLN 1,200 net (since it's a % of wages). Kosiniakowe (PLN 1,000/month) is for UNINSURED persons — students, unemployed. They are mutually exclusive: you receive one OR the other.
- I'm self-employed — will I get the maternity benefit?
- Yes, if you enrolled in voluntary sickness insurance at least 90 days before birth. The basis = the average of the 12 months of declared sickness-insurance contributions. Application via PUE ZUS with form Z-3a.
- Can fathers also receive it?
- Yes. Paternity leave (2 weeks) — can be used until the child reaches 12 months. Tacierzyński leave (part of maternity) — when the mother resigns from her share after 14 weeks. Parental leave — can be shared between parents.
Check all family benefits
Besides the maternity benefit, you may be entitled to 800+, becikowe, parental leave, parental benefit. The calculator compares them all in 2 minutes.
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