The Family 800+ (Rodzina 800+) programme is a government benefit paid by ZUS (Social Insurance Institution) to help families raise children.
The benefit is 800 PLN per month for each child under 18 years of age.
👦🏿 Can Foreigners Receive 800+?
Foreigners can receive the benefit if they legally live in Poland and have:
- Temporary Residence And Work Permit
- EU Blue Card
- Permanent Residence Permit
- EU Long-Term Resident Permit
- Refugee Status Or Subsidiary Protection
- Other Residence Titles Giving Access To The Polish Labour Market
It is not possible to receive 800+ on a visa or if your residence permit was issued for less than 6 months term.
📑 Required Documents
- PESEL number – your and your child
- Passport
- Residence Card or other proof of legal stay with authorization to work
- Child’s birth certificate
- Marriage certificate, if you have one
- Bank account number
- Work contract or information about the scholarship received at the university
- Additional documents requested by ZUS
⚠️ All documents not in Polish (except for the passport) must be translated by a certified translator and bear an apostille. (How to Get a Certified Translation)
❗You must earn at least 50% of the minimum wage in Poland, but the following categories are also eligible to receive 800+:
- Entrepreneurs with an income of at least 50% of the minimum wage.
- Officially unemployed individuals (with an income of at least 30% of the minimum wage).
- Individuals receiving scholarships and enrolled in educational programs.
- Individuals on parental leave or maternity leave.
Step 1 – Submit The Application
Applications are submitted only online.
You can apply through:
- PUE ZUS
- mZUS Mobile Application
- Emp@tia Portal
- Electronic Banking If Your Bank Supports 800+ Applications
Step 2 – Wait For The Decision
ZUS reviews your application.
If additional information is needed, ZUS will contact you through your online account.
Step 3 – Receive Payments
After approval, the money is transferred directly to the bank account provided in the application.
Payments are made monthly.
📅 Benefit Period
The benefit period runs:
From 1 June Until 31 May Of The Following Year
A new application must be submitted every year to continue receiving payments.
📉 Rules for Officially Registered Unemployed Persons
If a foreign national has lost their job and registered as unemployed with the Powiatowy Urząd Pracy (PUP), they may retain their eligibility for the 800+ benefit for a limited time. This applies only to individuals officially registered with the PUP. If a person simply quit their job and did not register as unemployed, ZUS will classify them as inactive, and payments will cease.
Duration of unemployment benefits:
- 3 months — for families with 1 or 2 children.
- 6 months — for families with 3 or more children.
❗This option is available no more than once a year.
Unemployed individuals are exempt from the requirement to have a minimum contribution base of 50% — for them, this threshold is 30% of the minimum wage.