Unemployment benefit is intended to help maintain financial liquidity during the difficult period of looking for a new job. Hence, it is subject to annual indexation, and changes in the amount of unemployment benefits affect thousands of people losing their jobs.
The annual indexation of unemployment benefits affects the financial situation of thousands of people losing their jobs. The increase in the benefit is intended to compensate for the rising costs of living and ensure minimum social security.
Unemployment benefit 2026 – rules, limits and requirements
According to the announcement of the Minister of Family, Labor and Social Policy of March 2, 2026, the amount of unemployment benefit after June 1 will be:
- PLN 1,783.90 – during the first 90 days of being entitled to the benefit;
- PLN 1,400.90 – during the subsequent days of being entitled to the benefit.
It is worth remembering that if you work for at least 20 years, the benefit will be increased to 120%. This means that these people will receive:
- PLN 2,140.68 gross (PLN 1,948.02 net) for 90 days;
- PLN 1,681.08 gross (PLN 1,529.78 net) during the subsequent days of being entitled to the benefit.
An increase in the amount of unemployment benefit will result in an increase in all benefits whose amount depends on it.
Who is entitled to unemployment benefits?
As “Gazeta Prawna” explains, the right to the benefit is available to people registered at the employment office who, during the 18 months before registration, worked for at least 365 days with paid contributions to the Labor Fund and earned at least the national minimum wage (in 2026 it is PLN 4,806). The benefit is not available to people who have been dismissed for disciplinary reasons or who reject job offers without justification.
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The standard period for receiving the benefit is 180 days, but in special cases (e.g. people over 50 with 20 years of experience, disabled people, single parents) the benefit is granted for 12 months.
How to get unemployment benefits?
In addition to full-time employees, the benefit is also available to people working under a mandate contract, agency or running a business – provided they pay appropriate contributions. The benefit will also be granted to people for whom the employment office has no offer of employment, internship or training.
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An application for benefits is not required – registration at the employment office is enough. The office will automatically check your entitlement to the benefit and issue a decision. The benefit is available to people who have worked for at least 365 days in the last 18 months and earned at least the national minimum wage from which contributions to the Labor Fund were paid.
