People who lose their jobs from June 1, 2026 will be able to count on higher unemployment benefits. The increase in benefits will cover everyone who meets certain conditions. It is worth remembering that unemployment benefits are not paid by ZUS, but by the District Labor Office, hence payment is conditional on registration at the appropriate labor office.
See also: Who is entitled to unemployment benefits? Key terms and exceptions
Unemployment benefit is paid in two amounts
The increase in benefits may help maintain financial liquidity during the difficult period of looking for a new job. The higher amounts are also the result of rising prices in the economy, which affect the everyday expenses of Poles.
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It's worth remembering that Unemployment benefit is paid in two amounts.
- The higher rate is only valid for the first 90 days.
- After this time, the benefit automatically decreases – even by several hundred zlotys per month.
This is a mechanism that is intended to motivate people to return to the labor market sooner.
How much is the unemployment benefit from June 1, 2026? New amounts
The Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Policy announced that from June 1, people with 20 years of work experience will receive PLN 1,783.90 gross per month for the first 90 days (currently PLN 1,721.90), and later PLN 1,400.90 (currently PLN 1,352.20).
People with more than 20 years of experience will receive PLN 2,140.68 for the first 90 days (currently PLN 2,066.30) and PLN 1,681.06 in the following months (currently PLN 1,622.60). The conditions for receiving the benefit include, among others: working at least 365 days within 18 months before registration and paying contributions to the Labor Fund.
See also: How much extra money can you earn on unemployment benefits? Limits and rules you need to know
Can you earn extra money while receiving unemployment benefits?
The period of experience entitling you to the benefit includes not only working time, but also parental leave, receiving a pension or military service.
The amount of unemployment benefit changes every year on June 1 and depends on the inflation rate announced by the Central Statistical Office. The higher the inflation, the larger the increase in benefits.
It is worth remembering that the regulations do not prohibit the possibility of earning extra money while receiving unemployment benefits. Formally, according to the Act on Employment Promotion, an unemployed person cannot obtain a monthly income exceeding half of the minimum wage (except for bank interest).
If someone takes up work on a commission contract or receives income exceeding half of the minimum wage (which from July 2026 is to be approximately PLN 4,850 gross), he or she will immediately lose the unemployed status and the right to benefits.
