From March 2025, parents in Poland whose children are born prematurely or require extended hospitalisation after birth will be entitled to additional parental leave. This change brings relief to families who, until now, had to count the weeks their baby spent in hospital as part of their regular maternity leave.

Why this change matters

The arrival of a baby is a deeply emotional and life-changing experience. For parents of premature babies or newborns needing medical care, it can also be one of the most stressful times. Long stays in neonatal wards or incubators mean that by the time families return home, much of their maternity leave has already been used up.

The new law aims to give parents back this precious time — allowing them to spend it with their child once they are home, not in hospital corridors.

How much extra leave is available?

The law introduces up to 15 additional weeks of maternity leave, depending on the circumstances of birth and hospitalisation. The rules are as follows:

1. Babies born before the 28th week of pregnancy or weighing less than 1,000 grams: up to 15 weeks of extra leave.
2. Babies born between the 28th and 37th week of pregnancy, with a weight above 1,000 grams: up to 8 weeks of extra leave.
3. Babies born on time but hospitalised after birth: up to 8 weeks of extra leave.

Additionally, parents will receive one extra week of leave for each week their child spends in hospital.

Who can use the leave?

This leave is not limited to biological mothers. It may also be used by fathers, legal guardians, foster parents, and adoptive parents. The choice remains with the family — parents can decide whether they wish to use this entitlement.

Importantly, the new law also applies to parents who are already on maternity leave when the regulation came into force.

What are the conditions?

To access this additional leave, parents must submit a request to the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) before their standard maternity leave ends. The application must include:

1. A certificate from the hospital confirming the duration of the child’s hospitalisation,
2. Information about the week of pregnancy at birth.

The benefit during this period will be paid at 100% of the maternity allowance base. However, this additional leave can only be taken once and cannot be split into separate periods.

Giving families the time they deserve

This reform reflects a wider effort to support parents during one of the most difficult moments of family life. By recognising that time spent in hospital should not reduce family bonding time at home, the law gives parents the chance to focus fully on their child’s recovery and development.

It is also the result of collaboration between government, doctors, and organisations advocating for the rights of premature babies. For many families, this change will provide not only financial security but also peace of mind during an already challenging period.