Sick leave in Poland (L4): how much is paid and what to do on day one

Some believe sick leave in Poland is paid "like a salary", so being ill costs you nothing. It isn't. The standard benefit is 80% of the base, and on umowa zlecenie without voluntary insurance it's zero. Over two weeks of illness, the difference between these options can easily reach a thousand złoty.

How L4 is issued

A doctor — public under NFZ insurance, private or online — issues an electronic sick note, e-ZLA. You get no paper: the document goes straight to ZUS and to your employer's account on the PUE ZUS platform. Your duty is to tell the employer the reason for your absence no later than the second day. The simplest way is to message your manager the same morning.

How much is paid

• 80% — the standard rate for ordinary illness.
• 100% — during pregnancy, after an accident on the way to or from work, and for organ donation or related tests.
• 70% — for time spent in hospital (unless other rules apply).

The base is your average pay over the last 12 months minus social contributions. That's why take-home pay from sick leave is lower than from a full working month.

Who pays: employer or ZUS

The first 33 days of illness in a year are paid by the employer — this is wynagrodzenie chorobowe. For employees aged 50 and over, only 14 days. After that, ZUS takes over (zasiłek chorobowy). For you the difference is technical: the money usually comes with your salary.

The maximum length is 182 days in a row, 270 days in pregnancy or for tuberculosis.

When sick leave is not paid

• Waiting period. On an employment contract, the right to the benefit starts after 30 days of continuous insurance. With voluntary insurance — after 90 days.
• Umowa zlecenie without chorobowe. If you don't pay the voluntary sickness contribution, L4 only excuses your absence — there will be no money.
• Breaking the rules. Working, side jobs or trips that hinder recovery can cost you the benefit for the whole period.

Checks by ZUS and the employer

ZUS and the employer (if it has more than 20 employees) may check whether you use L4 properly. If the doctor wrote "patient must stay in bed", you should be found at home. "May walk" gives more freedom — pharmacy, shop, doctor — but not a trip to the seaside or a side job.

Can you be dismissed on L4

On an employment contract, the employer cannot hand you a notice of termination while you are on sick leave. The exception is a very long absence, when the law allows ending the contract without notice. An ordinary cold or flu has nothing to do with it.

Checklist for the first day of illness

• Doctor. Book a visit or an online consultation — L4 can't be backdated by more than three days.
• Manager. Report your absence on the day you fall ill, in writing or by message.
• Address. Check the doctor entered an address where you can actually be found.
• Contract. If you are on zlecenie, check whether you pay chorobowe.
• Rest. No work until L4 ends — not even "for an hour".