-- main --
### title
Sick Leave (Zasiłek chorobowy)

### summary
[💰](80%|Rate)
[⏱️](182 days|Max)
[📋](e-ZLA|Electronic)
[🚑](Day 1|Accidents)

### description
If you cannot work due to illness, injury, or medical condition, you may be entitled to paid sick leave benefits in Poland. The system is managed by the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) and your employer, with payments shared between them depending on the duration of your absence.

Since 2016, doctors issue electronic medical certificates (e-ZLA) that are automatically sent to ZUS and your employer, streamlining the process significantly.

> Foreigners legally residing in Poland have the same rights to sick leave benefits as Polish citizens, provided they meet the insurance requirements.

### benefits
**Financial protection**
Receive 80-100% of your salary during illness
---
**Automatic processing**
Electronic certificates sent directly to ZUS and employer
---
**No waiting period for accidents**
Benefits available immediately for work-related accidents
---
**Extended coverage**
Up to 270 days for pregnancy or tuberculosis
---
**Rehabilitation support**
Additional 12 months of benefits if recovery is likely
---
**Legal protection**
Employers cannot terminate employment during sick leave
---
**Coverage for various contracts**
Available for employment and some mandate contracts

### What is Sick Leave?

Sick leave (zasiłek chorobowy) is a social insurance benefit that provides financial compensation when you are unable to work due to illness, injury, or medical condition. The benefit is paid by your employer and ZUS, depending on the duration of your absence.

**Key features:**
- Paid at 80% of your base salary (100% in special cases)
- Maximum 182 days per benefit period (270 days for pregnancy/tuberculosis)
- Electronic certificates (e-ZLA) since 2016
- Automatic notification to employer and ZUS

**Important distinction:**
- Medical insurance (NFZ) covers treatment costs
- Sickness insurance (ZUS) covers lost income during sick leave
- These are separate systems with different requirements

### Electronic Certificates (e-ZLA)

Since 2016, all medical certificates for sick leave are issued electronically as e-ZLA (elektroniczne zwolnienie lekarskie).

**How e-ZLA works:**

1. **Doctor issues certificate:**
   - During your visit, the doctor confirms your incapacity to work
   - Doctor enters certificate information into the system
   - You provide your employer's NIP (tax identification number) or university name (for students)

2. **Automatic transmission:**
   - Certificate is sent electronically to ZUS
   - ZUS forwards information to your employer
   - Both parties receive notification within 3 business days

3. **No paper needed:**
   - Usually no physical document required
   - Everything is handled electronically
   - You can verify status in ZUS online system

**Paper certificates (exception):**

If the doctor cannot issue e-ZLA due to technical problems (e.g., internet issues), they must:
- Issue a paper certificate on official forms
- Give it to you to deliver to your employer
- Send information to ZUS electronically within 3 business days

**If you receive a paper certificate:**
- Deliver it to your employer immediately
- Keep a copy for your records
- Verify that ZUS receives the information

### Eligibility by Contract Type

Not all employment contracts provide sick leave coverage. Your eligibility depends on your contract type:

**Employment contract (umowa o pracę):**
- **Covered:** Yes, automatically
- **Insurance:** Mandatory sickness insurance
- **Waiting period:** 31 days of continuous insurance
- **Employer responsibility:** Must pay insurance contributions
- **Best coverage:** Full protection from day 31

**Mandate contract (umowa zlecenie):**
- **Covered:** Only if voluntarily registered
- **Insurance:** Voluntary sickness insurance required
- **Waiting period:** 91 days from insurance registration
- **Employer responsibility:** Not obligated to pay insurance
- **Action required:** You must register and pay contributions yourself
- **Important:** Many employers don't offer this; you must arrange it

**Specific-task contract (umowa o dzieło):**
- **Covered:** No
- **Insurance:** Not available for this contract type
- **Alternative:** No sick leave benefits possible
- **Recommendation:** Consider other contract types if you need coverage

**Summary table:**

| Contract Type | Coverage | Waiting Period | Insurance Type |
|--------------|----------|----------------|----------------|
| Employment (umowa o pracę) | Yes | 31 days | Mandatory |
| Mandate (umowa zlecenie) | Only if voluntary | 91 days | Voluntary |
| Specific-task (umowa o dzieło) | No | N/A | Not available |

### Waiting Periods (Carency)

Before you can receive sick leave benefits, you must meet waiting period requirements:

**Mandatory insurance (employment contract):**
- **Waiting period:** 31 days of continuous insurance
- **Calculation:** From the start of your employment contract
- **Example:** If you start work on January 1, benefits available from February 1
- **Important:** Must be continuous; gaps reset the waiting period

**Voluntary sickness insurance (mandate contract):**
- **Waiting period:** 91 days from insurance registration
- **Calculation:** From the date you register for voluntary insurance
- **Example:** Register on January 1, benefits available from April 1
- **Requirement:** You must actively register and pay contributions

**Exceptions - no waiting period:**
- **Work accidents:** Benefits available immediately, regardless of waiting period
- **Accidents on way to/from work:** Covered from day 1
- **Occupational diseases:** Immediate coverage

**Important:** The waiting period applies to the right to receive benefits, not to medical care. You can still see doctors and receive treatment immediately.

### Payment Structure

Sick leave payments are shared between your employer and ZUS:

**Employer pays:**
- **First 33 days per year** (for employees under 50)
- **First 14 days per year** (for employees 50 and older)
- **Calculation:** Based on your average salary
- **Rate:** 80% of base salary (100% in special cases)

**ZUS pays:**
- **After employer's days are exhausted**
- **Continues until benefit limit reached**
- **Calculation:** Based on your average salary
- **Rate:** 80% of base salary (100% in special cases)

**Payment timeline:**
- Employer pays within normal payroll schedule
- ZUS payments typically within 30 days
- First payment may take longer for initial processing

**Special payment rates (100% of salary):**
- Pregnancy-related sick leave (marked "B")
- Hospitalization (after 14 days)
- Work accidents
- Occupational diseases
- Certain serious conditions

**Example calculation:**
- Monthly salary: 5,000 PLN
- 80% rate: 4,000 PLN per month
- Daily rate: ~133 PLN per day
- For 10 days: ~1,330 PLN

### Duration Limits

**Standard limit:**
- **Maximum:** 182 days of incapacity per benefit period
- **Calculation:** Calendar days, not working days
- **Benefit period:** One continuous period of incapacity
- **Reset:** New benefit period starts after return to work

**Extended limits:**

**Pregnancy-related sick leave:**
- **Maximum:** 270 days (9 months)
- **Marking:** Certificate marked with "B"
- **Rate:** 100% of salary
- **Requirement:** Gynecologist's confirmation needed
- **Timing:** Can start from beginning of pregnancy

**Tuberculosis:**
- **Maximum:** 270 days
- **Rate:** Standard 80% (or 100% if hospitalized)
- **Requirement:** Medical confirmation of tuberculosis diagnosis

**Multiple periods:**
- If you have multiple separate periods of sick leave in one year
- Each period can be up to 182 days (or 270 for special cases)
- Employer pays first 33 days (or 14 if 50+) for each period
- ZUS pays remaining days

### Step-by-Step Procedure

**Step 1: See a doctor**

1. **When to go:**
   - As soon as you feel unable to work
   - Don't wait; early documentation is important
   - Can be your primary care doctor or specialist

2. **What to bring:**
   - Identity document (passport or ID card)
   - PESEL number
   - Your employer's NIP (tax identification number)
   - Or university name (if you're a student)

3. **During the visit:**
   - Explain your symptoms and inability to work
   - Doctor will assess your condition
   - **Important:** Explicitly mention you need sick leave (zwolnienie lekarskie)
   - Doctor may not issue it automatically, especially for mild conditions

**Step 2: Doctor issues e-ZLA**

1. **If doctor confirms incapacity:**
   - Doctor enters certificate into electronic system
   - Provides your employer's NIP or university name
   - Certificate is automatically sent to ZUS and employer

2. **If you receive paper certificate:**
   - Doctor gives you physical document
   - You must deliver it to employer immediately
   - Doctor will send information to ZUS within 3 business days

**Step 3: Inform your employer**

1. **Notification:**
   - Contact employer promptly (phone, email, or in person)
   - Inform them of your absence and expected duration
   - They will see e-ZLA in the system, but personal notification is still required

2. **Provide information:**
   - Reason for absence (illness, injury)
   - Expected return date (if known)
   - Contact information for updates

**Step 4: Follow medical recommendations**

1. **During sick leave:**
   - Follow doctor's instructions
   - Attend follow-up appointments
   - Take prescribed medications
   - Rest as recommended

2. **Restrictions:**
   - Do not perform paid work
   - Be available at your declared address for possible checks
   - Do not travel without doctor's permission (if specified)

**Step 5: Extend if needed**

1. **If you need to extend:**
   - See doctor again before current certificate expires
   - Doctor issues new e-ZLA extending the period
   - Automatic notification to ZUS and employer

2. **If you recover early:**
   - Return to work when doctor clears you
   - Employer and ZUS will adjust payments
   - No need to wait until certificate expires

**Step 6: Return to work**

1. **When cleared:**
   - Doctor confirms you can return to work
   - No new certificate needed (previous one expires)
   - Or doctor issues certificate ending sick leave

2. **Notify employer:**
   - Inform employer of your return date
   - Confirm any work restrictions or accommodations needed

### Foreign Sick Leave Certificates

If you become ill while abroad or have a medical certificate from a foreign doctor, you can use it to claim sick leave benefits in Poland.

**Requirements for foreign certificates:**

1. **Translation:**
   - Must be translated into Polish by a sworn translator (tłumacz przysięgły)
   - Translation must be certified
   - List of sworn translators available at Ministry of Justice website

2. **Required information:**
   - Name of foreign medical institution or doctor
   - Date of issue and signature
   - Date of start and end of incapacity
   - Doctor's credentials (if available)

3. **Submission:**
   - Submit translated certificate to ZUS
   - Include with your benefit application
   - ZUS will verify and process

**Process:**

1. **Get certificate abroad:**
   - Visit doctor or hospital in foreign country
   - Request certificate confirming inability to work
   - Ensure it includes all required information

2. **Translate certificate:**
   - Find sworn translator (check Ministry of Justice registry)
   - Provide original certificate for translation
   - Receive certified Polish translation

3. **Submit to ZUS:**
   - Complete ZUS benefit application
   - Attach original certificate and translation
   - Submit to your local ZUS office

4. **Processing:**
   - ZUS verifies the certificate
   - Processes benefit claim
   - Notifies employer if applicable

**Important:** Foreign certificates are accepted, but processing may take longer than domestic e-ZLA certificates.

### Special Cases

**Accidents on way to/from work:**

- **Coverage:** Immediate, regardless of waiting period
- **Rate:** Standard 80% (or 100% if hospitalized)
- **Requirement:** Must be direct route to/from work
- **Documentation:** Doctor confirms work-related nature of accident
- **Benefit:** No 31-day waiting period applies

**Pregnancy-related sick leave:**

- **Marking:** Certificate marked with "B"
- **Duration:** Up to 270 days (9 months)
- **Rate:** 100% of salary
- **Start:** Can begin from start of pregnancy
- **Requirement:** Gynecologist's confirmation needed
- **Purpose:** If work conditions threaten pregnancy or health requires rest
- **Protection:** Employer cannot terminate employment

**Tuberculosis:**

- **Duration:** Up to 270 days
- **Rate:** 80% standard (100% if hospitalized)
- **Requirement:** Medical confirmation of tuberculosis diagnosis
- **Treatment:** Must follow medical recommendations

**Hospitalization:**

- **After 14 days in hospital:** Rate increases to 100% of salary
- **Calculation:** From day 15 of hospitalization
- **Documentation:** Hospital provides confirmation

**Occupational diseases:**

- **Coverage:** Immediate, no waiting period
- **Rate:** 100% of salary
- **Requirement:** Confirmed occupational disease diagnosis
- **Special protection:** Enhanced benefits and protections

### During Sick Leave - Your Obligations

**Medical compliance:**
- Follow all medical recommendations
- Attend scheduled follow-up appointments
- Take prescribed medications as directed
- Follow treatment plans

**Work restrictions:**
- Do not perform any paid work
- Do not engage in activities that could worsen your condition
- Rest as recommended by your doctor
- Follow activity restrictions

**Availability:**
- Be available at your declared address
- ZUS or employer may conduct checks
- Respond to official inquiries promptly
- Keep contact information current

**Documentation:**
- Keep all medical certificates safe
- Maintain records of doctor visits
- Keep receipts for medical expenses (if applicable)
- Document any changes in condition

**Communication:**
- Inform employer of any changes
- Update on expected return date
- Respond to employer inquiries
- Notify if condition worsens

**Violations:**
- Working during sick leave can result in benefit termination
- Violations may lead to legal consequences
- False certificates are illegal and punishable
- Follow all rules to maintain benefits

### Rehabilitation Benefit (Świadczenie rehabilitacyjne)

If your treatment extends beyond the 182-day (or 270-day) sick leave limit but recovery is likely, you can apply for a rehabilitation benefit.

**Eligibility:**
- Your sick leave period has reached the maximum
- Medical documentation shows recovery is likely
- You continue to be unable to work
- Treatment is ongoing

**Duration:**
- **Maximum:** 12 months
- **Start:** After sick leave period ends
- **Extension:** Possible in special cases

**Rate:**
- 75% of your base salary
- Paid by ZUS
- Lower than sick leave rate but provides extended coverage

**Application process:**

1. **Before sick leave ends:**
   - Apply to ZUS before your sick leave period expires
   - Include medical documentation
   - Provide prognosis from your doctor

2. **Required documents:**
   - Application form
   - Medical documentation
   - Doctor's prognosis
   - Treatment plan
   - Evidence of ongoing recovery

3. **ZUS decision:**
   - ZUS reviews your application
   - May request additional medical opinions
   - Makes decision on benefit approval
   - Notifies you of the outcome

**Important:** Apply early, as processing takes time. Don't wait until your sick leave expires.

### For Foreigners

**Same rights as Polish citizens:**
- Foreigners legally residing in Poland have equal rights
- Same eligibility requirements apply
- Same benefit rates and durations
- Same procedures to follow

**Special considerations:**

**Documentation:**
- Use passport number if you don't have PESEL
- Provide employer's NIP when seeing doctor
- Keep residence permit current
- Maintain valid work authorization

**Language:**
- Bring translator if needed for doctor visits
- Some clinics have English-speaking staff
- Important to communicate clearly about your condition
- Ensure doctor understands your need for sick leave

**Insurance verification:**
- Verify your insurance status with employer
- Check ZUS contributions are being paid
- Confirm waiting period has been met
- Keep records of insurance contributions

**Employer communication:**
- Inform employer in language they understand
- Provide clear information about absence
- Respond to employer inquiries promptly
- Maintain professional communication

**Consulate registration:**
- Some countries require notification of extended absence
- Check if your consulate needs to be informed
- Maintain contact with home country if needed

**Returning home:**
- If you leave Poland during sick leave, notify ZUS
- Benefits may be affected by extended absence
- Consult with ZUS before traveling
- Keep medical documentation if returning

### common mistakes
**Not informing employer immediately**
Contact employer as soon as you know you'll be absent
---
**Working during sick leave**
Strictly prohibited; can result in benefit termination
---
**Not mentioning need for sick leave to doctor**
Explicitly request zwolnienie lekarskie; doctor may not issue automatically
---
**Forgetting to provide employer's NIP**
Doctor needs NIP to issue e-ZLA; bring it to appointment
---
**Not following medical recommendations**
Must comply with doctor's instructions to maintain benefits
---
**Missing follow-up appointments**
Attend all scheduled medical visits
---
**Not being available for checks**
Stay at declared address; ZUS/employer may verify
---
**Delaying doctor visit**
See doctor promptly; late documentation can cause problems
---
**Not extending certificate before expiration**
See doctor before current certificate expires if you need extension
---
**Assuming all contracts provide coverage**
Only employment contracts and voluntary mandate insurance qualify
---
**Not understanding waiting periods**
31 days for employment, 91 days for voluntary insurance
---
**Confusing medical and sickness insurance**
NFZ covers treatment; ZUS covers lost income during sick leave
---
**Not applying for rehabilitation benefit in time**
Apply before sick leave period expires
---
**Not translating foreign certificates**
Foreign certificates must be translated by sworn translator
---
**Not keeping documentation**
Keep all certificates and medical records safe

### checklist

**Before getting sick leave:**
**Verify your insurance status**
Check that employer is paying ZUS contributions
---
**Confirm waiting period met**
31 days for employment contract, 91 days for voluntary insurance
---
**Know your employer's NIP**
Have tax identification number ready for doctor
---
**Understand your contract type**
Employment contract provides best coverage
---
**When you become ill:**
**See a doctor immediately**
Don't delay; early documentation is important
---
**Bring required documents**
Passport/ID, PESEL, employer's NIP
---
**Explicitly request sick leave**
Mention you need zwolnienie lekarskie
---
**Provide employer information**
Give doctor your employer's NIP or university name
---
**After doctor issues certificate:**
**Verify e-ZLA was issued**
Confirm doctor entered information correctly
---
**Inform employer promptly**
Contact employer immediately about your absence
---
**If paper certificate received**
Deliver to employer immediately
---
**During sick leave:**
**Follow medical recommendations**
Comply with all doctor's instructions
---
**Attend follow-up appointments**
Don't miss scheduled medical visits
---
**Take prescribed medications**
Follow treatment plan exactly
---
**Do not perform paid work**
Strictly prohibited during sick leave
---
**Stay at declared address**
Be available for possible ZUS/employer checks
---
**Keep all documentation**
Save certificates and medical records
---
**If extension needed:**
**See doctor before expiration**
Visit doctor before current certificate expires
---
**Request extension certificate**
Doctor issues new e-ZLA extending period
---
**Notify employer of extension**
Inform employer if absence will be longer
---
**If recovery:**
**Return when doctor clears you**
No need to wait until certificate expires
---
**Notify employer of return**
Inform employer of your return date
---
**Confirm any work restrictions**
Discuss accommodations if needed
---
**For foreign certificates:**
**Get certificate from foreign doctor**
Request certificate with all required information
---
**Translate by sworn translator**
Find certified translator for Polish translation
---
**Submit to ZUS**
Complete application and attach documents
---
**For rehabilitation benefit:**
**Apply before sick leave expires**
Don't wait until period ends
---
**Gather medical documentation**
Collect all relevant medical records
---
**Get doctor's prognosis**
Obtain medical opinion on recovery likelihood
---
**Submit complete application**
Include all required documents to ZUS
---
**General:**
**Register for ZUS online account**
Access your benefit information online
---
**Keep contact information current**
Update address and phone with ZUS and employer
---
**Monitor benefit payments**
Verify payments are received correctly
---
**Seek help if needed**
Contact ZUS or employer with questions

### links
[ZUS sick benefits (EN)](https://www.zus.pl/en)
[Patient portal](https://pacjent.gov.pl/)
[ZUS e‑ZLA information](https://www.zus.pl/o-zus/zasilki/zwolnienia-lekarskie-e-zla)
[Rehabilitation benefit info](https://www.zus.pl/)
[ZUS online services](https://www.zus.pl/)
[Ministry of Justice - Sworn translators](https://www.gov.pl/web/sprawiedliwosc/lista-tlumaczy-przysieglych)
[ZUS contribution calculator](https://www.zus.pl/)
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