When a temporary agency contract ends, many foreign workers don't realise they may be entitled to unemployment benefit. In Poland, this benefit is not reserved for Polish citizens — workers from Ukraine, Russia, and other non-EU countries can claim it too, provided they meet the conditions.
Who Is Entitled to Unemployment Benefit?
You qualify for unemployment benefit if you:
- Have a legal right to reside and work in Poland (temporary residence card, work permit, or employer's oświadczenie statement)
- Have worked for at least 365 days in the last 18 months under a contract from which Labour Fund (Fundusz Pracy) contributions were paid
- Have no other source of income
- Register at the local Employment Office (Urząd Pracy) as unemployed
Does an umowa zlecenie count? Yes — if your pay was at least the minimum wage (in 2026: 4,666 PLN gross/month or 30.50 PLN gross/hour), the agency was paying Labour Fund contributions, and those periods count towards the 365-day requirement.
How Much Is the Benefit in 2026?
- First 90 days: approx. 1,602 PLN net per month
- After 90 days: approx. 1,260 PLN net per month
The benefit is paid for a maximum of 6 months (up to 12 months in areas with unemployment above 150% of the national average). Amounts are updated annually every 1 June.
How to Register at the Employment Office
You can register in two ways:
- Online — via the portal praca.gov.pl (Profil Zaufany or e-ID required)
- In person — at the district Employment Office (PUP) nearest to your place of residence or registered address
Register within 7 days of your last working day. Each day of delay means one day of benefit forfeited.
Documents You Need
- Passport and temporary residence card (or other valid permit)
- Employment certificate (świadectwo pracy) — mandatory document from your employer or agency, required to prove your work history
- Wage statement (for benefit calculation)
- PESEL number
- Polish bank account number (benefit is paid by transfer)
Health Insurance While Unemployed
Once registered, the Employment Office automatically enrolls you in NFZ health insurance — it reports you to ZUS. You have full access to public healthcare throughout the benefit period and for 30 days after it ends, at no extra cost.
Your Obligations as a Registered Jobseeker
- Attend scheduled appointments at the office (every 30–90 days)
- Actively look for work and respond to job offers the office refers you to
- Immediately inform the office if you start working, leave Poland, or your situation changes
Failing to attend without an excuse results in removal from the register and loss of benefit.
When Is Benefit Not Available?
- If your contract was terminated due to your misconduct (disciplinary dismissal)
- If you resigned without a valid reason
- If Labour Fund contributions were not paid (e.g. pay was below minimum wage)
- If you have not accumulated the required 365 days of eligible employment
How Nexflow Can Help
If your Nexflow assignment has ended, contact us — we will issue your świadectwo pracy on time, explain your entitlements, and help you prepare the documents needed to register. Claiming unemployment benefit is your legal right: you have been paying contributions throughout your employment, so make use of the system.