Unemployment Benefit (zasiłek dla bezrobotnych)
Learn how to register as unemployed and obtain unemployment benefit in Poland. Check the eligibility conditions, required documents, how to register at the employment office (PUP) and how much the benefit is — step by step.
up to 7 days (registration) + up to 30 days (decision)
Variants
Standard (worked at least 365 days)
In the last 18 months you worked a total of at least 365 days with wages at least at the minimum wage
Shortened benefit period
You live in a county where the unemployment rate is below 150% of the national average
After closing a business
You ran a business and paid ZUS contributions on a basis at least equal to the minimum wage
How to handle it — step by step
1
Check the conditions for unemployment benefit
Unemployment benefit is payable to a person registered at the district employment office (PUP) as unemployed, if they meet the work history requirements.
Basic conditions
- No work — you are not employed and not doing other paid work
- Work history — in the last 18 months you worked a total of at least 365 days with wages at least at the minimum wage (or paid ZUS contributions on that basis)
- Readiness to work — you are capable and ready to take up employment
- No right to pension/disability benefit — you are not receiving a pension or disability benefit
What counts towards the 365 days?
- Employment contract with wages at least at minimum wage
- Contract of mandate with ZUS contributions on at least minimum wage basis
- Running a business with ZUS contributions on at least minimum wage basis
- Parental leave
- Military service
Benefit amount (2026)
- First 3 months: approx. 1,662 PLN gross (100% of basis)
- Remaining period: approx. 1,304 PLN gross (80% of basis)
- Benefit is subject to PIT income tax
If you were dismissed for disciplinary reasons or left voluntarily, the benefit is only payable after 90 days from registration
Contracts for specific work (umowy o dzieło) do not count towards the required 365 days
The benefit amount depends on work history: over 20 years — 120% of basis, 5–20 years — 100%, under 5 years — 80%
Standard (worked at least 365 days)Shortened benefit periodAfter closing a business
2
Gather documents for registration
Before visiting the employment office, prepare documents confirming your work history and education.
Required documents
- ID card or passport — to confirm identity
- Employment certificates — from all places of employment (originals for inspection)
- School diploma — last completed level of education
Additional documents (depending on situation)
- Certificate of business closure (CEIDG printout) — if you ran a sole trader business
- Certificate of ZUS contributions paid — if you ran a business
- Disability certificate — if applicable
- Military service certificate — if applicable
- Certificate of completed internship or vocational training — if applicable
Documents
- ID card or passportRequired
- Employment certificates (from all places of employment)RequiredOriginals for inspection; copies will remain at the office
- School diploma / certificateRequiredLast completed level of education
- CEIDG certificate of business closureOptionalIf you closed your sole trader business
- Certificate of ZUS contributions paidOptionalIf you ran a business — confirms the contribution basis
Prepare employment certificates from ALL places — the office adds up all periods
If you don't have an employment certificate, ask your former employer for a duplicate
For business closure — download the certificate from CEIDG and get a ZUS contribution certificate
3
Register at the district employment office (PUP)
Registration as an unemployed person is a prerequisite for receiving the benefit.
Online registration (praca.gov.pl)
- Go to praca.gov.pl
- Select 'Registration as an unemployed person'
- Log in via Trusted Profile or qualified signature
- Fill in the form — personal data, employment history, education
- Attach document scans (employment certificates, diploma)
- Submit the form
In-person registration
- Go to the PUP for your registered address (permanent or temporary)
- Bring all documents (originals)
- Fill in the registration card
- You will receive a registration certificate and an appointment with an advisor
Important
- Online registration is possible only with a Trusted Profile or qualified signature
- In-person registration requires personal attendance
- Unemployed status is valid from the date of registration
Documents
- Trusted Profile or qualified signatureOptionalRequired only for online registration
Online registration is faster — no queuing
Register as soon as possible after losing your job — the benefit is payable from the date of registration
If you don't have a Trusted Profile, set one up through online banking — it takes a few minutes
4
Apply for unemployment benefit
After registering as unemployed, apply for the benefit.
How to apply?
- The benefit application is part of the registration process — the office verifies entitlement automatically based on submitted documents
- You do not need to submit a separate form — correct registration with all employment certificates is sufficient
- The starost (county head) issues a decision on the benefit within 30 days of registration
Benefit period
- 6 months — if the unemployment rate in your county is below 150% of the national average
- 12 months — if the unemployment rate exceeds 150%, you are over 50 with 20 years of service, or you have at least one child under 15 to support and your spouse is also unemployed and has lost the right to benefit
When is benefit not payable?
- You refused a job, internship or training offer without justified reason
- You terminated your employment by mutual agreement or by your own notice (benefit after 90 days)
- You were dismissed for disciplinary reasons (benefit after 180 days)
The office verifies entitlement itself — make sure you submitted all employment certificates
If you left voluntarily (by mutual agreement), benefit is only payable after 90 days from registration
Unemployed status obliges you to attend the office at designated times
5
Wait for the starost's decision
After registration and document verification the starost issues a decision on the granting (or refusal) of unemployment benefit.
Timeline
- Decision issued within 30 days of registration
- The decision will be delivered by post or available on praca.gov.pl
What does the decision contain?
- Information on granting or refusing the benefit
- Benefit amount (depends on work history)
- Benefit period (6 or 12 months)
- Date from which benefit is payable
You can appeal the decision
- Appeal to the voivode via the starost
- Deadline: 14 days from delivery of the decision
- Appeal is free of charge
The decision should arrive within 30 days — if not, contact the employment office
Check the accuracy of data in the decision — especially the employment period and benefit amount
If you disagree with the decision, you have 14 days to appeal to the voivode
6
Receive the benefit and fulfil your obligations
Once the benefit is granted, payments begin and your obligations as an unemployed person start.
Payment
- Benefit is paid to a bank account once a month
- First 3 months: 100% of basis (approx. 1,662 PLN gross)
- Remaining period: 80% of basis (approx. 1,304 PLN gross)
- Benefit is subject to PIT and health insurance contribution
Obligations of unemployed person
- Attendance at PUP at designated times (usually monthly)
- Accepting proposals of work, internships, training — unjustified refusal results in loss of status
- Informing the office of changes in situation (e.g. taking up work, travelling abroad)
- Readiness to work — you must be capable and ready to take up employment
Loss of unemployed status
- Taking up work (you must inform the office within 7 days)
- Failure to attend the office at the designated time
- Refusal of job offer without justification
- Travelling abroad for more than 10 days without office consent
Note attendance dates in your calendar — failure to attend results in deregistration
If you find a job, inform the office within 7 days
Take advantage of training and internship offers from the office — they improve qualifications and can lead to employment
Unemployment benefit counts as income — include it in your annual PIT return
After completion
Use employment office job and training offers
The employment office offers not only benefit but also training, internships, grants for starting a business and job search assistance.
More informationConsider a startup grant
As an unemployed person you can apply for a one-time grant from the employment office to start a business (up to several tens of thousands of PLN).
Inform the office when you start work
When you find employment, notify the PUP within 7 days. Failure to report is subject to a fine.
Include benefit in your PIT return
Unemployment benefit is taxable — you will receive PIT-11 from the PUP by the end of February of the following year. Include it in your annual tax return.