Poland Funeral Allowance 2026: How to Claim the 7,000 PLN ZUS Grant

Poland's funeral grant (zasiłek pogrzebowy) was raised to 7,000 PLN on January 1, 2026 — the first increase in thirteen years, up from 4,000 PLN. For English speakers who've covered funeral costs in Poland, this grant can reimburse a significant portion of expenses. But the rules around who qualifies, what's covered, and how to file are specific and unforgiving.

Who Can Claim

Anyone who paid for the funeral can file — family member, friend, employer, or institution. But the payout rules differ:

Close family members (spouse, children, siblings, parents, legal guardians) receive the full 7,000 PLN flat rate regardless of what the funeral actually cost. If your funeral expenses were only 3,000 PLN, you still get the full 7,000 PLN.

Non-family members and organizations (friends, employers, social services) are reimbursed for their actual documented expenses up to 7,000 PLN. If multiple people split the costs, ZUS divides the grant proportionally based on each person's documented share.

What Counts as a Reimbursable Expense

ZUS accepts direct funeral and disposition costs only:

Covered:

• Casket or urn purchase
• Cremation or burial fees
• Hearse transport
• Cemetery plot fees
• Funeral director services

Not covered:

• Headstones or grave markers
• Flowers and wreaths
• Post-funeral reception (konsolacja)
• Administrative fees charged by funeral homes for paperwork
• Clothing for the deceased

This distinction matters: if a non-family member files, their reimbursement is calculated only from eligible expenses. A 10,000 PLN total that includes 3,000 PLN in flowers and reception costs yields a payout of only 7,000 PLN (capped) — but only if the eligible funeral costs alone reach that threshold.

How to File: Form Z-12

Submit Form Z-12 (wniosek o zasiłek pogrzebowy) to ZUS (Zakład Ubezpieczeń Społecznych) or KRUS (for agricultural workers) within 12 months of the date of death. After 12 months, the right to claim expires permanently.

Required documents:

• Completed Form Z-12
• Original invoices or receipts (faktura VAT) proving funeral expenses — photocopies are not accepted
• Abridged death certificate (odpis skrócony aktu zgonu)
• Proof of your relationship to the deceased (marriage certificate, birth certificate) if claiming as family

Form Z-12 can be submitted in person at any ZUS branch, by mail, or electronically through the PUE ZUS platform. However, even with electronic filing, you must submit original paper receipts — ZUS has not yet implemented fully digital receipt processing (a digital system is expected in 2027).

Important Date Rule

The grant amount is determined by the date of death, not the date you file. If someone died on December 31, 2025, the payout is the old 4,000 PLN rate — even if you file in 2026. Deaths on or after January 1, 2026, qualify for the new 7,000 PLN rate.

Starting March 1, 2026, the funeral allowance is subject to annual inflation indexation based on Poland's consumer price index (CPI), but only if the prior year's inflation exceeded 5%.

Common Mistakes That Delay or Kill Claims

Missing original invoices. ZUS requires originals, and many funeral homes issue only one copy. Ask for duplicate originals at the time of payment, or request bank-certified copies.

Filing after 12 months. The deadline is absolute. There's no extension mechanism for late filers.

Including ineligible expenses. Submitting receipts for flowers, reception venues, or headstones doesn't increase your payout — and can delay processing if ZUS needs to separate eligible from ineligible items.

The Someone Died in Poland guide includes an annotated Form Z-12 walkthrough with English translations, a receipt-tracking worksheet, and a deadline calculator to make sure you file on time.

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