The medical services include regular check-ups carried out by a gynaecologist (usually once a month), blood tests, USG scans, etc., whatever is prescribed by your doctor, the labour and post-labour care including. The post-labour care means the necessary 2-3-day stay at the hospital, several check-ups of the new-born baby as well as home visits of a midwife to which women are entitled within 8 weeks after the labour (having registered the baby at a chosen medical centre).
Therefore, after the baby is born (or even earlier) it is recommended to register the newborn at a chosen medical facility in order to receive further healthcare services, including all the vaccines that are obligatory in line with the Polish healthcare system.
More about vaccination in Poland in Health insurance and care
If - for some reason - you prefer to use private healthcare clinics, you will have to pay for all the medical services, including the labour and post-labour care.
Within 21 days after the birth, you have to register the newborn at the Registry Office (USC) and settle down the legal status of your baby. The following cases are possible:
- one of the baby’s parents is a Pole – the newborn is automatically given the Polish citizenship; remember to write down the parent’s details in the birth certificate; in this case the baby does not need a permit to stay on the territory of Poland. If the parents want their child to have the non-Polish citizenship of the other parent, they have to file a citizenship selection declaration at the right Voivodship Office within 3 months from the date of the birth. In such a case the baby needs to the permit to stay in Poland;
- one of the baby’s parents has a Pole's Card or other document confirming their Polish origin – in such a case the newborn may be granted the same legal status (including permanent residence permit),
- neither of the baby’s parents is a Pole but one of them has a permanent residence permit on the territory of Poland – the newborn should be granted the same type of permit if only he/she was born during the permit's validity period. Otherwise they can apply for the temporary residence permit on the basis of family relations.
- one of the baby’s parents has a visa or a temporary residence permit – the baby can be granted the same type of permit, if he/she was born while the visa or permit was valid. The parent has to apply for the permit for the baby in a relevant Voivodship Office as soon as possible after the baby receives his/her passport.
Formally, the leave period is divided into:
- a) maternity leaveof 20 weeks in case of giving birth to one child, or 31 weeks in case of twins, 33 weeks in case of triplets and so on.
You can use 6 weeks of the paid maternity leave already before the labour, however, a common practice is to go on sick leave if it is prescribed by your doctor due to inability to work.
- b)parental leave of 32 weeks in case of one child or 34 weeks in case of more children being born at one labour. The parental leave can be used either by one parent entirelly, by both parents taking turns or by both parents at the same time, for example 16 weeks each.
The monthly allowance amount is paid as a percentage of your average basic (without bonuses) monthly salary from the last 12 months in the rate of:
- 80% of the salary if the monther decides to take the whole 52-week leave; the request has to be submitted to the employer no later than 21 days after the labour; or
- 100% of the basic salary for the maternity leave period and 60% for the parental leave.
Following the maternity and parental leaves, it is also possible to take an additional unpaid post-leave which is an option for a parent who want to spend time with their children for a longer period. Its maximum length is up to 3 years and it has to be used until the child is 6 years old.
PARENT'S RIGHTS AT WORK
- Nursing breaks - in line with the Polish law women have the right to breastfeeding time within two 30-minute breaks per an 8-hour working day. They are counted as regular paid hours. Breastfeeding of more than one child allows for two 45-minute breaks. However, mothers who work less than 4 hours a day are not entitled to the breaks. Those who are at work from 4 to 6 hours a
day, have the right to a single break. - Occasional childcare leave - working parents of children aged up to 14 years have the right to 2 paid days off work (or 16 hours - depending on employer's rules) for family reasons during a calendar year.
Family benefitscan be received by foreigners living in Poland who:
- are the European Union and European Economic Area citizens,
- stay on the territory of Poland on the basis of a permanent residence permit, long-term EU-resident permit, or temporary residence permit granting access to the labour market, excluding: third-country nationals who received the permit for work in an EU member state for a period not exceeding 6 months, as well as those who arrived in Poland in order to undertake studies or those who stay in Poland on the basis of a visa,
- are covered by special country bilateral agreements concerning social security (Read more in the Social security section).
Family benefits are granted to foreigners who stay on the territory of Poland during the period of receiving the
The benefits include the following main allowances:
one-timeallowance of PLN 1000 for the childbirth (pl becikowe) - it is paid to the mother (or a legal guardian) provided that the family income does not exceed PLN 1922 net per person monthly. Another condition is that the mother was under medical care at latest from the 10th week of the pregnancy till the labour day and has a relevant confirmation from her doctor. Becikowe can be claimed within 12 months after the birth of the child.- PLN 500per month ("Family 500+ programme") - a monthly allowance for children that is granted to a parent for each child under 18 years of age, regardless of the family's income.
- one-time payment of PLN 300 to support parents whose children start the school year (the "Good Start" programme). This is paid once a year to families regardless of their incomes for each child up to 20 years of age.
In order to receive these allowances you have to submit application forms to the municipality office (city/district office). The 500+ and "Good Start" allowances can also be applied for via digital services of many banks in Poland.
Other family programmes include a "Big Family Card" issued by municipalities to parents of at least 3 children, who can benefit from discounts e.g. when doing shopping, attending sport centres or using entertainment or cultural facilities.
Some cities in Poland also offer financial benefits (monthly allowances) to parents of the youngest children (up to 3 years of age) who attend non-public care centres/nurseries. More information about such benefots can be obtained from your district/city office.
TAX RETURN FOR PARENTS
This is a possibility to receive some tax back to your wallet. In principle, it can be requested by one of the parents (or foster parents, legal guardians) who raise children up to 18. The tax return can also be obtained for children between 18 and 25 years of age provided that they live with the parents, continue their education and do not earn more than PLN 3089 per annum.
The annual amounts of the tax return depend on the number of children and are as follows:
- 1112,04 PLN in case of 1 child on condition that an annual family income does not exceed PLN 112,000 (after deducting social security contribution) or 56,000 if the parents are not married;
- 1112,04 PLN for each child when raising 2 children, regardless of family income;
- 2000,04 PLN for 3rd child, regardless of family income;
- 2700 PLN for 4th child and more, regardless of family income.
The amounts may change each year.
In order to receive the tax return you should fill in some basic information when submitting your annual Personal Income Tax declaration (PIT).