Sick Leave (L4) in Poland for Foreign Workers — How It Works and What You're Entitled To

"L4" is the everyday Polish term for a sick note (zwolnienie lekarskie). If you're working in Poland as a temporary worker through a staffing agency like Nexflow, you may wonder: Am I entitled to sick leave? Will I lose my job? What about my pay? What happens to my residence permit?

This guide answers all of those questions step by step.

Who Is Eligible for Sick Leave (L4) in Poland?

Anyone covered by sickness insurance (ubezpieczenie chorobowe) through ZUS (Poland's Social Insurance Institution). If you work through a temporary staffing agency like Nexflow under a contract of mandate (umowa zlecenia) or temporary employment contract (umowa o pracę tymczasową), your employer pays ZUS contributions including sickness insurance.

Important: sickness insurance is voluntary under a contract of mandate (umowa zlecenia). Ask Nexflow whether you are covered — we are required to inform you.

How to Get a Sick Note — Step by Step

1. Visit a doctor (GP or specialist). You can use the public NFZ health service — you have the right to do so as an insured person.
2. The doctor issues an e-ZLA (electronic sick note). The system has been fully digital since 2018. You do not receive a paper document.
3. The e-ZLA is automatically sent to ZUS and to your employer (the staffing agency).
4. Notify Nexflow that you are on sick leave — a call or SMS is sufficient.

Waiting Period — When Does the Benefit Start?

• Temporary employment contract (umowa o pracę tymczasową): Your employer pays 80% of your salary for the first 33 days of illness per calendar year. From day 34, ZUS pays the sickness benefit.
• Contract of mandate with voluntary sickness insurance: Benefit starts from day 1, but you must have at least 90 consecutive days of sickness insurance coverage (qualifying period).

How Much Is the Sickness Benefit?

• 80% of your average salary from the last 12 months for standard illness.
• 100% for pregnancy-related illness, workplace accidents, or occupational disease.

Who Pays the Benefit?

Larger employers (over 20 employees): the employer pays and is reimbursed by ZUS. Smaller employers: ZUS transfers the benefit directly to your bank account.

Can I Be Fired While on Sick Leave?

• Temporary employment contract: Your employer cannot terminate your employment while you are on sick leave (protection lasts for up to 182 days, or 270 days during pregnancy).
• Contract of mandate: Offers less statutory protection than an employment contract. However, a responsible agency like Nexflow does not terminate contracts due to illness.

What Happens to My Residence Card (TRC) During Sick Leave?

Your temporary residence card (karta czasowego pobytu) is tied to your employment. Illness does not end your employment — your contract remains in force and your TRC stays valid.

Note: If your contract expires while you are on sick leave and you do not sign a new one, this may affect your residence status. Contact Nexflow in advance — we will help you find a solution.

Practical Tips

• Always see a doctor when you are ill — this is your legal right, not a privilege.
• Notify Nexflow as soon as possible: a call or SMS is enough.
• Keep all documents related to your treatment and sick leave.
• Questions? Nexflow provides support in Polish, Ukrainian, and Russian via WhatsApp.

Sick leave in Poland is your right. Nexflow is here to help.