If you work in Poland under an employment contract (umowa o pracę), you are entitled to occasional leave (urlop okolicznościowy) — paid days off for important personal and family events. Many foreign workers are unaware of this right. This guide explains when and how many days you can take.
What Is Occasional Leave?
Occasional leave is paid time off from work granted to an employee in connection with significant personal or family events. It is a statutory right guaranteed by the Polish Labour Code (Kodeks pracy, Article 173 and the Ministerial Regulation of 15 May 1996).
This is a real protection: even as a foreign worker, if you are employed under an employment contract in Poland, you have this right regardless of your nationality.
When Is Occasional Leave Granted?
2 paid days:
- Employee's own wedding
- Birth of the employee's child
- Death and funeral of: spouse, child, father, mother, stepfather or stepmother
1 paid day:
- Wedding of the employee's child
- Death and funeral of: sister, brother, mother-in-law, father-in-law, grandmother, grandfather, or another person remaining in the employee's household or under their direct care
Does Occasional Leave Apply to Civil Law Contracts (umowa zlecenie)?
The Labour Code applies primarily to employment contracts (umowa o pracę). Workers on civil law contracts (umowa zlecenie) do not automatically have the right to occasional leave — unless the contract or company regulations provide for it.
If you're working through Nexflow, ask your coordinator about the rules that apply to your specific contract.
How to Take Occasional Leave
- Inform your employer or coordinator as soon as possible
- Submit a leave request in writing or through your company's system
- Provide a document confirming the event (e.g., birth certificate, marriage certificate, death certificate)
Is Occasional Leave Paid?
Yes. During occasional leave, you receive your normal salary — calculated the same way as for annual holiday leave. Your employer cannot deduct these days from your annual leave allowance.
Important for Foreign Workers
- Your nationality does not matter — this right applies to all employees legally employed in Poland under an employment contract
- The event may involve family in your home country (e.g., Ukraine or Belarus)
- Foreign documents may require a certified translation, but many companies temporarily accept a scan as initial confirmation
Summary Table
| Event | Days |
|---|---|
| Employee's wedding | 2 days |
| Birth of employee's child | 2 days |
| Death of spouse / child / parent | 2 days |
| Wedding of employee's child | 1 day |
| Death of sibling / in-laws / grandparent | 1 day |
Nexflow is committed to making sure every worker knows their rights. Questions about your entitlements? Contact your Nexflow coordinator — we're here to help.