The bill was signed by president Karol Nawrocki and the changes will enter into force on 1 January 2026. The most crucial of these is to simplify the process of granting a ceremony allowance erstwhile the ceremony costs are borne by 1 person, most frequently a household member. In specified cases, the Social Insurance Institution will no longer issue an administrative decision, which will importantly accelerate the payment of funds.
Changes in the mortuary allowance
Until now, the formalities for obtaining a ceremony allowance frequently took respective weeks. However, if all costs are borne by 1 person, the benefit will be paid much faster.
According to the fresh regulations, the decision of the Social safety Office will only be essential if more than 1 individual or institutions specified as the employer, the municipality, the social assistance home or the Church are active in the ceremony costs.
In specified cases, the allowance will be divided in proportion to the expenditure incurred and ZUS will issue a decision up to 14 days after all the circumstances have been established.
Until now, the payment of the allowance could take up to 30 days. From 2026 the maximum waiting time will be reduced to 14 days.
In addition, applications for benefits will not only be submitted straight to the Social Insurance Institution, but besides through a ceremony home. The authorised individual may authorise the bet to collect the money straight into his account. This is to velocity up and simplify the payment of funds.
The amount of the ceremony allowance will increase from 1 January 2026
From 1 January 2026, the ceremony allowance will increase from PLN 4 1000 to PLN 7 thousand. It's the first specified rise in 14 years.
The Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy emphasises that the aim of the amendment is to simplify procedures, but besides to aid families in hard times. Deputy Minister Sebastian Gajewski pointed out that the fresh rules are to meet social expectations and supply financial support to families.
The bill was published in the diary of Laws in early June 2025. The fresh regulations will apply on 1 January 2026.
