Changes to the 800+ benefit from February 2026 – important information for foreigners

Our section: Online consultation – changes to the 800+ benefit from February 1, 2026

From February 1, 2026, new rules regarding the payment of the 800+ child benefit for foreigners will come into force in Poland.

The new regulations introduce additional conditions that may significantly affect the ability of third-country nationals, including citizens of Ukraine, to receive this benefit.

✅ 1) Benefit linked to employment

The 800+ benefit will only be paid to foreigners who are officially employed in Poland or had economic activity in the previous month.

If a person did not work during a given month or did not reach the required level of official income, the benefit may be suspended or refused. Verification will be carried out monthly through ZUS and other state registers.

✅ 2) Importance of children’s education

One of the conditions for receiving the benefit may be that children attend a Polish school or are registered in the Polish education system (SIO). This requirement is related to integrating children into the Polish education system.

✅ 3) Exceptions to the general rules

There are exceptions for families raising children with disabilities. In such cases, the benefit may continue even if the parents do not fully meet the employment requirement — however, it applies only to the child with a disability.

✅ 4) Electronic verification of data

The payment system will be more integrated with electronic state registers (including PESEL and ZUS). This will allow authorities to verify whether a person is staying in Poland, actually working and meeting all eligibility requirements.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Who will be able to receive the 800+ benefit?

The benefit may be granted if the following conditions are met:

• new employment criteria are fulfilled – there is work or sufficient economic activity each month,
• income is at least half of the minimum wage and the required ZUS contributions are paid,
• children attend a Polish school or are registered in the Polish education system,
• the family meets other legal stay requirements in Poland (e.g. PESEL number or temporary protection status).

If you have additional questions or your situation is more complex, it is advisable to contact ZUS directly. It is worth remembering that ZUS increasingly uses electronic services and requires booking an appointment in advance.

A convenient option is the possibility of an online consultation, which can be booked through your electronic account in the E-ZUS application.

The project is co-financed by the European Union under the European Funds for Migration, Borders and Security.

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