Settlement bonus: up to PLN 11,844 from the state budget after moving – what are the conditions?

The settlement voucher (bon na zasiedlenie) is a form of support provided under the Act on Employment Promotion for young people who decide to change their place of residence due to seeking new employment. What conditions must be met to receive an amount of up to PLN 11,844 gross? Where can one apply for this funding?

The rules for granting this benefit are specified in detail in Article 66n of the Act on Employment Promotion and Labour Market Institutions. The settlement voucher is intended to cover costs related to relocation and starting work or business activity in a new place of residence.

The applicant, when submitting the request, indicates the required amount along with monthly expenses up to twice the average salary for the year of application. The most common expenses include rent payments and commuting costs (e.g., fuel costs or a monthly travel pass). It is worth noting that the expenses should be stated approximately. In principle, there is no need for detailed settlement with the labour office.

Offer: Labour law Kraków

Settlement Voucher: Conditions

• Applicants must be registered as unemployed at the employment office.
• Eligible applicants must be under 30 years of age and intend to take up employment or register a business activity that guarantees a monthly salary or income of at least the minimum gross wage (PLN 3,010.00 gross). Employment income must be evidenced by an appropriate contract, and entrepreneurs document monthly income with invoices matching the required amount.
• In most cases, a guarantor must be indicated when submitting the application — a person responsible for the possible repayment of the voucher (see below). The guarantor will be obliged to repay the benefit to the employment office if the beneficiary loses the right to the voucher after receiving the funds and is insolvent.
• It is necessary to be covered by social insurance during the period of employment or business activity. Students under 26 whose employers do not pay contributions, as well as entrepreneurs using the so-called “start-up relief,” are not eligible.
• The new workplace must be at least 80 km from the applicant’s previous place of residence. This condition is also met if commuting time between the previous residence and the new workplace is at least 3 hours.
• After receiving the voucher, the applicant must remain employed (under an employment contract, mandate contract, or contract for specific work) or conduct business activity for at least 6 months within 8 months from the date of receiving the support. If employment is lost before 8 months elapse, a new employment relationship can be established, provided the total work period amounts to half a year.

Settlement Voucher: Accounting

The amount of the settlement voucher is individually determined for each applicant and largely depends on the declared expenses and the decision of the district governor (starosta). However, the amount cannot exceed 200% of the average salary (in 2022, the maximum voucher amount is PLN 11,844 gross). The employment office may question the requested amount, which can be adjusted accordingly. The voucher amount is not subject to taxation. The funds must be used to cover housing costs associated with starting employment, other gainful work, or business activity.

Offer: Legal counsel insurance

Agreement with the District Governor

If the application is approved, the applicant will be invited by the employment office to sign an agreement with the district governor, on the basis of which funds are disbursed. Within 30 days of receiving the voucher, the beneficiary must present proof of employment or business registration to the employment office. After eight months, the applicant must document employment or business activity for at least six months.

Consequences of Failing to Meet Conditions

If any of the conditions for receiving the support are not met — especially failure to work for at least 6 months within 8 months of receiving the voucher — the beneficiary will be obliged to return all or part of the funds. The settlement voucher is repayable proportionally to the documented period of employment, other gainful work, or business activity.

Further details about the settlement voucher and practical assistance with the procedure can be obtained by contacting your local employment office (department responsible for employment activation).