Planning an extended trip home, medical treatment, or simply a break from work? As a foreign worker in Poland you have the right to apply for unpaid leave — but it's important to understand how this decision affects your health insurance, ZUS contributions, and residence permit status.
What Is Unpaid Leave?
Unpaid leave (urlop bezpłatny) is a suspension of work agreed in writing between you and your employer. Unlike paid annual leave:
- You receive no salary during this period.
- Your employer is not required to agree — they grant it solely on your written request.
- Your employment contract remains active (you are not dismissed), but the employment relationship is suspended.
How to Apply for Unpaid Leave
- Write a formal written request specifying: start date, end date, number of days, and reason (optional).
- Submit the request to HR or directly to your employer.
- Wait for written approval — verbal agreement is not sufficient.
- Keep a copy of the signed agreement.
There is no statutory maximum duration for unpaid leave in Poland — it depends on what you and your employer agree. In practice, leave typically ranges from a few days to 3 months.
What Happens to Your ZUS and NFZ Health Insurance?
This is the most critical point for foreign workers. During unpaid leave:
- Your employer stops paying ZUS contributions (pension, disability, sick pay, accident insurance) — you do not accumulate pension entitlements for this period.
- NFZ health insurance lapses after 30 days from when employer contributions stop. After one month of unpaid leave, you lose the right to free medical care in Poland.
- You can voluntarily enrol in ZUS health insurance as an uninsured individual — the premium is approximately 600 PLN/month (2026). Visit a ZUS office and submit form ZZA.
Impact on Your Temporary Residence Card (TRC) and Work Permit
- Work permit — your permit is tied to a specific employer and position. Unpaid leave granted by the same employer does not invalidate your work permit; you return to work under the same terms.
- Temporary Residence Card (TRC) — if your TRC is based on employment, an active employment relationship is a condition. Unpaid leave of up to 3 months is generally accepted by the Office for Foreigners as a temporary gap that does not breach residence conditions. Longer leave may complicate TRC renewal.
- If you leave Poland during unpaid leave: absence from the Schengen Area for more than 6 months may be grounds for re-entry refusal or revocation of your residence card.
Unpaid Leave on a Zlecenie (Civil) Contract
If you work under a civil contract (umowa zlecenie) rather than an employment contract, the Labour Code provisions on unpaid leave do not apply. However, you can ask your contracting party to suspend or terminate the agreement during your absence and renew it upon your return.
Practical Tips for Foreign Workers
- Before travelling, ensure your passport and residence document are valid for the entire period of absence.
- If travelling outside Schengen, check whether your Polish residence card allows re-entry without a separate visa.
- Keep a copy of your unpaid leave agreement — it may be required at the border on return or when renewing your TRC.
- Notify your staffing agency (if you are a temp worker) about your planned absence well in advance.
Summary
Unpaid leave is available to foreign workers on the same legal basis as Polish nationals, but it carries additional implications: a gap in health insurance coverage and potential impact on residence status for longer absences. Plan ahead and consult your staffing agency or an immigration lawyer if you have any doubts.