Poland’s parliament has passed a law introducing a senior care voucher worth one billion zlotys. The non-cash benefit is aimed at people over 65 and will cover up to two weeks of assistance with daily living activities. The program will be rolled out in stages between 2026 and 2028.
The law, adopted on Thursday, fulfills one of the milestones of the National Recovery Plan (KPO). The senior voucher is designed to support older adults by giving them access to care services such as help with personal hygiene, meal preparation, and cleaning. Seniors will not receive cash but will be able to save thousands of zlotys that they would otherwise spend on private care.
– This is a significant step toward ensuring that our elderly citizens can age with dignity and without financial burden – said the Minister of Family and Social Policy during the parliamentary debate. The benefit is targeted primarily at seniors who meet specific income criteria. In the first phase, it will be available in municipalities that do not yet offer public senior care services.
Eligibility and scope of the benefit
The voucher is reserved for people aged 65 and older whose income does not exceed a threshold set by the government. The exact income limit will be defined in a subsequent regulation. The benefit covers up to 14 consecutive days of care per year, including assistance with shopping, cooking, and maintaining personal hygiene. It can also include support for light household chores and accompaniment to medical appointments.
The program is managed by local governments, which will organize the provision of services through public institutions or contracted private providers. Seniors or their families will apply for the voucher at the municipal social welfare center.
Implementation timeline and budget
The first government program is scheduled for 2026–2028 with a total budget of one billion zlotys. Funding will increase gradually: 100 million zlotys in 2026, 400 million in 2027, and 500 million in 2028. The second phase, from 2029 onward, will expand the program to all municipalities across the country. Parliamentary voting showed broad support: 415 deputies voted in favor, one was against, and 20 abstained.
Local authorities have welcomed the initiative but stress the need for clear guidelines on staffing and service standards. The Ministry of Family and Social Policy is expected to issue detailed implementation rules by the end of 2025. The senior voucher is one of several measures introduced under the KPO to improve social protection and address the challenges of an aging population.
Źródło: WNP.PL, Fot. PAP/Radek Pietruszka
