When do you need sick leave?
In Poland sick leave (zwolnienie lekarskie, commonly called L4) is issued when an illness temporarily prevents you from working. The most common reasons people see our internists:
- colds, flu, COVID-19, high fever
- sore throat, tonsillitis, a bad cough, bronchitis
- stomach bugs, vomiting, food poisoning
- back and joint pain, migraine
- urinary tract infections
- flare-ups of chronic conditions (blood pressure, diabetes, asthma)
The doctor decides on sick leave and its length after examining you. We do not issue sick notes on request or without a consultation — this protects you too: ZUS can challenge an unjustified L4 and demand the benefit back.
How the visit works
- Booking. Online on this site or by phone at +48 884 807 400. If you feel very unwell, call us — we will find the earliest slot.
- Examination (about 20 minutes). The doctor asks about your symptoms, checks blood pressure, pulse and oxygen saturation, listens to your lungs and, if needed, performs an ECG or orders tests.
- Treatment. You get clear advice in English and, if needed, an e-prescription — the code arrives by text message.
- e-ZLA sick note. If medically justified, the doctor issues it in the ZUS system during the visit. Your employer will usually see it on their PUE/eZUS account the same day.
What to bring
- your PESEL number — or, if you don't have one, your passport (series and number): e-ZLA can be issued on a passport
- the address where you will stay while ill — any check will be made there
- your employer's details — ZUS usually fills them in automatically, but if you recently changed jobs, have the company's NIP with you
- discharge notes, test results and a list of medicines you take
Who pays for sick leave, and how much
The doctor only certifies that you can't work. Pay for sick days comes from your employer or ZUS, depending on your contract:
| Contract type | Entitled to sick pay? | From when | Who pays |
|---|---|---|---|
| Umowa o pracę (employment contract) | yes, insurance is mandatory | after 30 days of insurance | employer — first 33 days a year (14 if over 50), then ZUS |
| Umowa zlecenie (contract of mandate) | yes, if you voluntarily pay sickness contributions (składka chorobowa) | after 90 days of insurance | ZUS |
| Self-employed (JDG) | yes, if you pay voluntary sickness contributions | after 90 days | ZUS |
| Umowa o dzieło (contract for specific work) | no | — | — |
Sick pay is usually 80% of your average salary; 100% during pregnancy and after an accident at work. It can be paid for up to 182 days in a row, or up to 270 days in pregnancy and for tuberculosis.
What your employer sees
Your employer does not see your diagnosis. Their copy of the e-ZLA shows only the dates, whether you "should stay in bed" or "may walk", and a letter code that affects payment:
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| A | repeat sick leave for the same illness after a break of up to 60 days |
| B | pregnancy — paid at 100% |
| C | incapacity caused by alcohol — first 5 days unpaid |
| D | tuberculosis |
| E | infection with a long incubation period (over 14 days) |
What you can and can't do on sick leave (rules from 13 April 2026)
New rules apply from 13 April 2026. ZUS must now prove that your actions interfered with recovery, not merely record that you weren't at home.
- Allowed: visits to the doctor, pharmacy, tests and rehabilitation; short walks if your note says "may walk".
- Not allowed: any paid work — for your own or another employer. You can lose sick pay for the entire period, even if your employer asked you to work.
- Checks: every ZUS or employer check ends with a written report; you have 7 days to dispute it.
- From 1 January 2027 a doctor will be able to issue sick leave for just one job if your health allows you to keep working in the other.
Sick leave during pregnancy
During pregnancy, sick leave with code B is paid at 100%. It is usually issued by the gynaecologist looking after your pregnancy. At Aurora Medical, English-speaking gynaecologists provide pregnancy care — learn more about pregnancy care.
Aurora Medical internists
Dr Inna Kaplia
internist with over 20 years of experience. Polish, Ukrainian, Russian.
Dr Angelina Sakevich
internist with over 4 years of practice in Poland. English, Polish, Russian, Belarusian.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get sick leave without a PESEL number?
Yes. If you don't have a PESEL, the doctor will issue the e-ZLA using your passport series and number. Bring your passport to the visit.
Can sick leave be backdated?
The doctor can start sick leave up to 3 days before the visit, and only if the examination and your history show you were already ill. Not longer. So book in the first days of your illness.
How many days of sick leave will I get?
As many as you need to recover. For a cold, usually a few days. If you are not better by the end, book a follow-up visit and the doctor will decide whether to extend it.
Do I need to take the sick note to work?
No. The e-ZLA goes to ZUS and your employer automatically. Just let your employer know you are ill. We can print a copy on request.
Am I entitled to sick pay on an umowa zlecenie?
The doctor will issue an e-ZLA under any contract, but ZUS only pays if you have voluntarily paid sickness contributions for at least 90 days. You can check this on your PUE/eZUS account.
Do you issue sick leave online or by phone?
No. We only issue sick leave after an in-person examination — so the doctor can assess you properly and ZUS has no reason to question it.
Will my employer see my diagnosis?
No. Your employer only sees the dates, the "stay in bed / may walk" note and the letter code (see the table above).
Can I work remotely while on sick leave?
No. Any paid work, including from home, cancels your right to sick pay for the whole period.
What if I get worse at night or on a public holiday?
If you are seriously unwell (shortness of breath, chest pain, confusion), call 112. At night and on holidays you can use the NFZ night and holiday care service (nocna i świąteczna opieka zdrowotna).
Book an internist
Aurora Medical, ul. Marcina Kasprzaka 7/U8, Warsaw (Wola, near Rondo Daszyńskiego metro). Mon–Fri 8:00–20:00, Sat–Sun 9:00–17:00. Phone +48 884 807 400.
Information on sick pay is general; please confirm the exact conditions for your case with ZUS or your employer.