In Poland, plans are underway to transfer sick leave payments from employers to ZUS

In Poland, a large-scale reform of the sick leave payment system is being prepared. The government is considering the possibility of completely transferring the payment of periods of incapacity for work from employers to the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS). If the changes are approved, employees will receive benefits from the state institution from the very first day of sick leave. This was reported by InPoland.

Poland wants to change the sick leave payment system

Currently, Polish employers pay sick leave to employees for the first 33 days of incapacity for work. For employees over 60 years old, this period is reduced to 14 days.

Only after this period do the payments transfer to ZUS.

The new draft law provides for a complete revision of the current system. If adopted, the Social Insurance Institution will pay benefits from the very first day of sick leave.

Minister of Family, Labor, and Social Policy Agnieszka Dziumanowicz-Bonk confirmed that work on such changes is already underway.

What will change for employees and businesses

For entrepreneurs, the reform will mean reduced financial burdens and simplified personnel administration.

Companies will no longer have to cover expenses for the first days of employees' illnesses, allowing for more accurate budgeting and planning.

For employees, the main change will be the introduction of a single body responsible for all payments related to temporary incapacity for work.

Moreover, the draft law envisages the possibility of increasing sick leave payments up to 100% of the salary.

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When might the new rules come into effect

The Polish government emphasizes that the reform will be implemented gradually.

The first stage will involve strengthening control over the use of sick leave, including through checking teleconsultations and using automated data analysis algorithms.

After this, a gradual transition to full financing of sick leave payments through ZUS is planned.

The optimistic scenario envisages the launch of the new system as early as 2026. At the same time, some experts believe that the implementation of the reform could take 12 to 18 months.

If the changes come into effect, they will affect millions of employees and hundreds of thousands of employers across Poland.

Let us remind you that in Poland the rules for counting employment periods have changed. Starting from January 1, 2026, periods of professional activity not related to work under a classic employment contract will be included.