Childcare sick leave in Poland: 60 days, 80% and which parent takes it

Your child wakes up with a 38.5 fever, the nursery won't take them, and your shift starts at six. Every parent working in Poland without grandparents nearby knows this morning. Many simply take unpaid leave or even use their holiday. They shouldn't have to: there's a separate benefit for this — zasiłek opiekuńczy, paid by ZUS.

A common belief is that childcare sick leave is only for babies and only for mothers. It isn't. Either parent can take it, for a child up to 14 — and even when the child is healthy but the nursery or school has closed unexpectedly.

How many days a year and how much is paid

• 60 days a year — caring for a child under 14. The limit is per insured person, not per child: two children still means 60 days.
• 14 days a year — caring for a child over 14 or another family member (spouse, parents) you live with. These days count towards the overall limit.
• 80% of the base — the benefit amount. The base is the same as for ordinary sick leave: average pay over the last 12 months minus ZUS contributions.

The year here is the calendar year, 1 January to 31 December. Unused days don't carry over.

When you can take it if the child isn't ill

For a child under 8, zasiłek opiekuńczy is also due when nobody is sick:

• Unexpected closure of a nursery, kindergarten or school — e.g. a heating failure or an epidemic.
• Illness of the nanny you have a contract with, or of a day carer.
• Childbirth or illness of the other parent who normally looks after the child.

"Unexpected" is the key word. School holidays, public holidays and planned days off don't qualify.

Which parent takes it and what you need

On any given day only one parent gets the benefit. You can take turns: one week you, one week your partner. But if the other parent can look after the child at that time — for example, they aren't working or are on holiday — there's no benefit.

How to arrange it:

1. The doctor issues an e-ZLA for the child, marking it as care leave (opieka). For a nursery closure you don't need a doctor — you need a note from the institution.
2. Form Z-15A — for caring for a child, Z-15B — for another family member. Submit it to your employer or via PUE ZUS. In it you confirm, among other things, that the other parent can't provide care.
3. Tell your employer — as with your own illness: no later than the second day of absence.

Who pays and is there a waiting period

Unlike ordinary sick leave, the employer doesn't pay the first 33 days here — the money comes from ZUS from day one. In companies with more than 20 people the employer pays it out with your salary; in smaller ones ZUS pays directly into your account.

There's no waiting period either: on an employment contract zasiłek opiekuńczy is due from the first day of insurance. So even in your first month at a new job.

Umowa zlecenie and B2B

The rule is the same as for ordinary sick leave: you get paid only if you voluntarily pay the chorobowe contribution. Without it, care leave only excuses your absence, with no money. If you have small children and work on zlecenie, the 2.45% contribution often pays for itself within the first few days of a child's illness.

Two more options people forget

• Childcare days (art. 188 KP). On an employment contract — 2 days or 16 hours a year at 100% pay if your child is under 14. No reason needed.
• Urlop z powodu siły wyższej. 2 days or 16 hours a year at 50% pay — for urgent family matters, including illness.

These days don't reduce your 60-day zasiłek limit. Sometimes it's better to use them first, especially the days at 100%.

Checklist when your child falls ill

• Doctor. Ask for an e-ZLA for care, in your name rather than the other parent's.
• Employer. Inform them the same day, in writing or by message.
• Z-15A. Fill in the form, or ZUS won't pay.
• Limit. Count how many of the 60 days you've already used this year.
• Zlecenie. Check whether chorobowe is being paid.
• Alternative. For 1–2 days, consider childcare days at 100%.