Maternity Benefit Calculator 2026

About this calculator

This calculator helps you estimate the Polish maternity and parental benefit for 2026. It works for both employment contracts and self-employed individuals (JDG), and compares the 81.5% flat-rate option with the 100% / 70% variant. All amounts are shown in gross PLN.

Benefit parameters

Your current employment type

Employment contract (UoP) Self-employed (sole trader / JDG)

This calculator shows gross benefit amounts. No ZUS contributions are deducted from maternity benefit payments. Income tax rules may vary (e.g. exemptions and allowances).

Average monthly gross salary (last 12 months)

PLN

The benefit base is calculated from salary reduced by employee social security contributions (13.71%).

ZUS contribution base (mode)

Standard ZUS Preferential ZUS Small ZUS Plus Custom

“Custom” allows manual input. Other modes set the base according to statutory rules and lock the field.

Assumptions (what is included)

Voluntary sickness insurance

Include 2.45% in “Average social contributions”.

Labour Fund (FP)

Include 2.45% in “Average social + FP contributions”.

“Average social contributions and FP” = pension + disability + accident (+ sickness) (+ FP), calculated from the declared base.

Annual income (previous year)

PLN

Number of days running the business

The base is calculated as 50% of average monthly income and limited by statutory minimum and maximum thresholds.

Average monthly sickness insurance base (last 12 months) (calculated according to the mode above)

PLN

This should be your actual average sickness insurance base (as declared to ZUS). The calculator deducts 13.71%.

Average social contributions and FP 0.00 PLN

This value is informative only. During benefit periods, the obligation to pay contributions depends on individual circumstances.

Number of children in a single birth

Maternity leave length depends on the number of children (20 / 31 / 33 / 35 / 37 weeks). Parental leave: 41 weeks (1 child) or 43 weeks (multiple birth), including 9 non-transferable weeks for the other parent.

Benefit options comparison

Equal payments for the entire period: 81.5%

0.00 PLN / month

Total for the entire period: 0.00 PLN

Variable payments: 100% (maternity) and 70% (parental)

0.00 PLN / month

for -- weeks

0.00 PLN / month

for -- weeks (mother) + 9 weeks reserved for the other parent

Total (mother): 0.00 PLN | Total (both parents): 0.00 PLN

Benefit base (after 13.71% deduction): 0.00 PLN

Total benefit period (weeks): --

* Choosing the 81.5% option usually requires submitting an application within a statutory deadline (often 21 days after childbirth, depending on the payer and individual circumstances).

Polish Maternity Benefit 2026: 81.5% vs 100% / 70% explained (employment contract & self-employed)

This calculator compares the two most common maternity and parental benefit payment options in Poland for 2026: a flat 81.5% paid throughout the entire leave period, or a split option: 100% during maternity leave and 70% during parental leave. Calculations are available both for employment contracts and self-employed individuals (sole traders / JDG), based on your average sickness insurance base from the last 12 months. All results are shown as gross benefit amounts.

Key rule: the 81.5% option

In practice, choosing the 81.5% flat-rate option is linked to a statutory application deadline (often within 21 days after childbirth). If this option is not selected on time, the standard 100% / 70% split usually applies.

Leave length and how weeks are allocated

Maternity leave: 20 / 31 / 33 / 35 / 37 weeks, depending on the number of children born at the same time.
Parental leave: 41 weeks (one child) or 43 weeks (multiple birth), shared between both parents.
9 weeks of parental leave are non-transferable and reserved exclusively for the other parent. That is why the calculator shows a breakdown: “mother only” and “total for both parents”.

Thanks to this approach, you can see not only the monthly amount, but also the total benefit for the mother and the combined amount for both parents.

How the benefit base is calculated

Step 1: We take the average from the last 12 months (employment contract: gross salary, self-employed: sickness insurance base).
Step 2: We deduct 13.71% (employee-financed social security contributions).
Step 3: The result is multiplied by 81.5% or 100% / 70%, depending on the selected option.

Quick guide: how to use this calculator

Select your employment type: employment contract or self-employed (JDG).
If you are self-employed, choose the ZUS mode: Standard ZUS / Preferential / Small ZUS Plus / Custom. In automatic modes, the base is set according to statutory rules. The Custom option allows manual input.
Select the number of children (this affects the length of leave).
Click Calculate to compare both payment options and total amounts.

Payment options compared: what you actually receive

Option	Maternity leave	Parental leave	Best suited for
Flat 81.5%	81.5%	81.5%	If you prefer stable, equal monthly payments and submit the application on time.
100% / 70%	100%	70%	If you want a higher income at the beginning (first weeks after childbirth), even if it is lower later.

Formulas used by the calculator (transparent and simple)

Benefit base after 13.71% deduction

Base = Average_12m × (1 − 0.1371)

Converting weeks into total benefit

Daily_base = Base / 30
Total = Daily_base × (Weeks × 7) × rate

Example calculation (employment contract)

Average gross salary: 6,000 PLN
Base after 13.71% deduction: 6,000 × (1 − 0.1371) = 5,177.40 PLN

81.5%: 5,177.40 × 0.815 = 4,220.58 PLN / month
100%: 5,177.40 PLN / month (maternity leave)
70%: 5,177.40 × 0.70 = 3,624.18 PLN / month (parental leave)

Maternity benefit for the self-employed (important)

For self-employed individuals, voluntary sickness insurance is a key condition for entitlement to maternity benefit.
During the benefit period, you may usually continue running your business. In practice, health insurance contributions often remain mandatory.
When using the Custom option, you enter your own average sickness insurance base from the last 12 months.

Tip: increasing the base for only one month usually raises the 12-month average only partially, as the benefit is calculated from the full year.

ZUS bases (2026)

In automatic modes, the calculator uses statutory ZUS bases published for 2026.

Preferential ZUS	1,441.80 PLN
Standard ZUS	5,652.00 PLN

Small ZUS Plus depends on annual income, which is why this calculator uses a separate mode with income and days.

Example calculation (self-employed)

Assume your sickness insurance base was 5,652.00 PLN for 12 months (Standard ZUS 2026). After deducting 13.71%, the base equals 4,877.87 PLN. This amount is then used to calculate the 81.5% or 100% / 70% options.

If the base changes during the year (weighted average):

Average_12m = (m1×b1 + m2×b2 + …) / 12

Example: 6 months × 5,652 PLN + 6 months × 10,000 PLN → average = 7,826 PLN, then minus 13.71% and apply the selected rate.

FAQ – common questions

Usually no. For self-employed individuals, sickness insurance is voluntary but essential for entitlement to maternity benefits.

In general, yes. However, health insurance contributions usually remain mandatory during the benefit period.

Polish regulations link the flat 81.5% option to a specific application deadline (often 21 days after childbirth). Missing this deadline usually results in the standard 100% / 70% split.

Parental leave is a shared pool (41 / 43 weeks), but 9 weeks are individually reserved for the other parent and cannot be transferred. That is why the calculator shows separate totals.

Related calculators

Try the Sick Pay Calculator, check your Net Salary, or browse other benefits.

Disclaimer: this calculator provides estimates based on the entered data and typical statutory rules. Actual entitlement and amounts may depend on the payer and individual circumstances.