Sick leave is not calculated from your "net" salary: first, your ZUS contributions are deducted from the base, then 80% is taken (or 100% in special cases). Calculate your amount.
Estimated calculation for umowa o pracę. The base is calculated using the average salary of the previous 12 months — here we take your average gross. The exact amount is determined by the employer or ZUS. On umowa zlecenia, sick leave is paid only if you pay voluntary sickness insurance.
Average for the last 12 months of work (including regular bonuses).
100% — pregnancy, accident at work or on the way to it, organ donation.
Calendar days specified by the doctor in the e-ZLA.
On umowa zlecenia without voluntary sickness contribution, sick leave is not paid at all — this means zero income for these days.
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gross for the entire sick leave
Calculation basegross minus 13,71% contributions—
Per day—
Rate—
Payment for 7 days—
Loss compared to normal salaryfor the same days—
The first 33 days of illness per year are paid by the employer, after that — by ZUS (for employees over 50 years old, the limit is 14 days). The payment procedure does not change for you.
How sick leave is calculated
The calculation takes place in three steps. First, they take the average monthly gross salary for the previous 12 months. Then, from it they deduct your ZUS contributions — pension, disability, and sickness insurance combined at 13.71%. The resulting amount is the "base". It is divided by 30 and multiplied by the rate: 80% in standard cases or 100% in special cases.
That is why sick leave is always lower than a regular salary — and why a long illness significantly impacts your budget. You can calculate the difference above.
When 100% is paid
illness during pregnancy;
incapacity for work due to an accident at work or on the way to work;
incapacity for work due to donation of blood or tissues and related examinations.
FAQ
From which day of work can you take sick leave?
The right appears after an insurance period: usually 30 days of continuous mandatory insurance (umowa o pracę) or 90 days for voluntary insurance (zlecenia). There are exceptions — for example, if insurance lasted previously without a long break.
Can you work while on sick leave?
No. During sick leave, an inspection by ZUS is possible; working during this period may deprive you of the right to payment.
What if I am on an umowa zlecenia?
Sick leave will be paid only if you paid a voluntary sickness contribution (2.45%). Without it, there will be no payment. This is the main hidden difference between contract types.
Do you want a job where sick leave is actually paid?
Leave your contact details — we will select a job opening on an umowa o pracę with a full benefits package. 0 € from the candidate.
