When thinking about childbirth, most women prefer to give birth in Europe. Poland stands out among European countries. In this article, we will explain in detail how pregnancy is monitored in Poland, how to choose a doctor, what benefits and assistance are available, and when to inform your employer.
Insurance
In Poland, there is public insurance through NFZ (National Health Fund), which is part of ZUS (Social Insurance Fund). Officially employed individuals pay contributions, part of which goes to NFZ. Both employees and their family members are insured. There is also private insurance offered by companies, which includes a special package for pregnant women.
If a woman does not have commercial insurance, she can use her husband’s insurance along with the following documents:
- Application for maternity-related payments
- Permit for staying in Poland
- Medical card of the future mother
- Tests and examinations
- PESEL
- NIP
If there is no insurance, pregnancy in Poland for foreigners will cost:
- A visit to the doctor costs approximately 150-200 PLN
- An ultrasound costs 300-400 PLN
- A home doctor visit costs 500 PLN
How to Choose a Doctor?
In Poland, there is a special platform called Znajdź lekarza, where you can check reviews about doctors and choose one.
A pregnant woman must register with a doctor by 12 weeks of pregnancy. You can choose any public maternity hospital that meets the requirements.
Pregnancy in Poland: When to Inform Your Employer?
You can inform your employer at any time. According to the law, a pregnant woman can work no more than 8 hours a day. She also has the right to compensation for time off due to a reduced working schedule. It is forbidden to work during breaks between workdays or to be delegated outside of the permanent workplace without personal consent. Salary during maternity leave is paid at 100% of the equivalent.
If a woman is on sick leave before the EDD (expected date of delivery) and the baby has not arrived, she should ask the doctor to extend the leave or submit a maternity leave application to the employer before the EDD.
The main maternity leave begins automatically on the day of birth and does not require an application. The duration ranges from 20 to 37 weeks, depending on how many children are born at the same time. After childbirth, the woman must present the child’s birth certificate to her employer.
How Much Do Childbirth Costs?
In general, if you have insurance, pregnancy and childbirth in Poland are free, and there is no need to pay extra to the doctor or midwife. However, if you don’t have insurance, you should expect to pay between 10,000 and 15,000 PLN, depending on whether it is a private or public clinic.
