Poland's 800 plus child benefit: June deadline ensures retroactive payments

Polish parents have until the end of June to apply for the 800 plus child benefit and secure retroactive payments for August. The Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) reports that over 4.2 million applications, covering more than 6.3 million children, have already been processed.

Payments for May exceeded 6.5 million. The application window for the current benefit period, running from June 1, 2026, to May 31, 2027, opened in February. Submitting the application by the end of June ensures families receive the full 800 plus amount for that month without financial loss.

Applications must be submitted electronically via the mZUS mobile app, the eZUS platform, online banking, or the Emp@tia portal. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Family is preparing to introduce automatic eligibility for the 800 plus benefit from the 2027-2028 benefit period onwards, eliminating the need for yearly applications.

While the 800 plus benefit is available for every child under 18 regardless of parental income, Ukrainian refugees face an additional condition. They can only receive the benefit for children attending Polish schools or kindergartens, unless the child is too young for compulsory education. Additionally, from February 2026, Ukrainian citizens with the UKR status will need to be employed to receive family benefits, a rule also extended to other non-EU/EFTA foreigners legally residing in Poland from June 2026. Exemptions apply to parents of children with disabilities and those applying for a child who is a Polish citizen.