On 20 October 2026 the Council of Ministers adopted a draft law on the automatic renewal of the 800+ child-raising benefit. The draft was prepared by the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy.
Today a parent must submit a new application to ZUS every year, even if nothing in the family has changed. After the change, ZUS will renew the entitlement itself on the basis of the data the parent provided earlier.
The new rules will not take effect immediately. The planned start is the 2027/2028 benefit period, i.e. 1 June 2027.
Parents will have to report to ZUS any change that affects entitlement to 800+, e.g. a change of personal details. A new application will be needed after the birth of a child and after a family returns to Poland from abroad. The benefit will also be available to a person who, under a court decision, has “current care” of a child.
In 2025 almost PLN 65 billion was paid out under 800+ for 6.7 million children.
What it means for you
- Families returning from the UK to Poland will not receive the benefit automatically. After returning, you will need to submit a new application.
- Parents in Poland, e.g. grandparents or a partner who stayed with the children, will no longer need to remember the annual application from 2027.
- Any change – address, personal details, family situation – must be reported to ZUS yourself.
Our assessment
It is a simple and necessary change. Less paperwork means fewer interruptions in payments. However, this is only a government draft – it still has to be passed by the Sejm and Senate and signed by the president. The announcement does not explain how the new rules will apply to families in which one parent works abroad. Families in the UK should therefore keep an eye on their ZUS affairs.
What to do
- Until the changes, apply for 800+ as before, via PUE/eZUS, online banking or the mZUS app.
- If you are returning to Poland with children, plan to apply immediately after you return.
- Questions? Citizens’ helpline: +48 222 500 108 (working days, 8:15–16:15 Polish time).
Source: Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy, gov.pl (20.10.2026).
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