Dobry Start 300+ 2026/2027: Who Can Apply, Deadline
Short answer: Dobry Start pays 300 zloty per schoolchild once a year, online only through ZUS, Emp@tia or banking. Apply by 30 November 2026.
Every autumn, Polish families can claim a one-off payment of 300 zloty for each child who starts the school year. It is called Dobry Start ("Good Start"), or simply 300+. The 2026/2027 round is open now and the application window closes on 30 November. Rules for some foreigners changed on 1 July 2026, so it is worth checking before you apply. This guide uses the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy and the gov.pl service page, as read on 14 October 2026.
What it is
Dobry Start is 300 zloty paid once a year per child who is learning at school, regardless of the family's income. The Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) takes the applications and pays the money. It is paid only to a bank account, never in cash.
Which children qualify
A child qualifies if two things are true. The child has not turned 20, or 24 if the child has a certificate of moderate or severe disability, a need for special education or a need for revalidation classes. And the child learns at a school such as a primary school, secondary school, post-secondary school, school for adults or an art school where schooling is compulsory. The list also includes some special youth and care centres.
It is not paid for children in kindergarten, including the one-year preschool preparation (the zerówka) in a school or kindergarten, and it is not paid for university students.
Who can apply
According to gov.pl, a parent, a legal guardian, a person who actually cares for the child and has applied to a court to adopt them, or a person to whom a court gave day-to-day custody (new from 1 July 2026) can apply. If a child lives with both parents in alternating care, each parent can apply and gets half, which is 150 zloty. Foster parents and heads of care homes apply through ZUS's online portal.
Foreign families: what changed on 1 July 2026
The rules depend on nationality and status:
- Citizens of the EU, EEA, Switzerland, and the UK (for those who came to Poland before 1 January 2021) who live in Poland are covered.
- Citizens of other countries with the right to stay and work in Poland qualify if they live in Poland with their children and meet a work-activity condition.
- Ukrainian citizens with UKR temporary-protection status qualify if they live with the child in Poland, meet the work-activity condition and the child fulfils compulsory schooling in a Polish school.
The Ministry says that from the 2026/2027 school year, third-country nationals with legal residence and UKR beneficiaries must be economically active in Poland, in the same way as for the 800+ benefit. This is satisfied by doing one of the activities listed in the law or by being covered by health insurance in the month before the application. The Ministry lists exceptions, for example when you apply for a child who is a Polish citizen or who has a disability certificate. See our guide to 800+ for foreign families for how the work condition is described there.
The new rules were set by a Council of Ministers regulation of 26 June 2026 (Dz.U. 2026 poz. 866) and apply first to applications filed from 1 July 2026.
How to apply
Applications are online only. A parent can use the ZUS PUE/eZUS portal or the mZUS mobile app, the Emp@tia portal (empatia.gov.pl) or online banking where the bank offers it. If you use Emp@tia or your bank and have no ZUS profile, ZUS creates one for you and sends the details to the e-mail and phone number you give.
Have ready your and your child's PESEL numbers, an e-mail address, the name and address of the school and the bank account number. If you do not have a PESEL yet, see our guide to getting a PESEL number. ZUS may ask you to add documents or statements. If you do not respond to the request, the application is not processed.
Deadlines and when you are paid
You can apply from 1 July to 30 November each year. Applying in July or August guarantees payment by 30 September. If you apply in September, October or November, the payment comes within 2 months of applying. Today is 14 October, so an application filed now should be paid within two months, and the last day to apply is 30 November.
Sources and limits
The page for foreign families on gov.pl and the Ministry's page of changes agree with each other. We did not verify individual cases. If your status is unusual, ask ZUS before you apply. The Citizens' Helpline of the Ministry is +48 222 500 108 on working days, 8:15 to 16:15.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Dobry Start?
300 zloty once a year per child, regardless of income.
Is there a deadline?
Yes. Applications for 2026/2027 are accepted until 30 November 2026.
Can I get it for a child in kindergarten?
No. Children in kindergarten, including the preschool preparation year, are not covered, and neither are university students.
Do foreigners need to work to get it?
Since the 2026/2027 school year, third-country nationals with legal stay and Ukrainians with UKR status must meet a work-activity condition, with exceptions listed by the Ministry. EU citizens living in Poland do not have this condition on the gov.pl page.
Can I apply on paper?
No. Only electronic applications are accepted, and the money is paid only to a bank account.
