Under the law, the government will spend PLN 1 billion (EUR 230 million, USD 260 million) through 2028 on home support for older people.
The senior voucher program will fund assistance with everyday tasks for people aged 65 and over who remain in their own homes.
The money will go to municipalities rather than directly to recipients.
The law also introduces local coordinators to help people navigate Poland's fragmented health and social care systems.
The government will allocate PLN 100 million to the voucher program in 2026, PLN 400 million in 2027 and PLN 500 million in 2028. It plans to maintain annual funding at PLN 500 million in later years.
Total spending between 2026 and 2035 is expected to reach PLN 4.5 billion.
"This is a record amount for organizing support services in people's homes," said Marzena Okła-Drewnowicz, government representative for senior citizen policy.
She described the law as the foundation for further programs addressing the needs of Poland's aging population.
Marzena Okła-Drewnowicz. Photo: Polskie Radio 24
The voucher will cover services such as grocery shopping, preparing meals and helping with washing, dressing and other basic personal care.
To qualify, an applicant’s average monthly income during the three months before applying must not exceed PLN 3,410 (about EUR 790, USD 900).
The threshold will rise in line with the annual adjustment of pensions and disability benefits.
A municipality will assess the applicant’s needs and sign an agreement with the recipient. It may provide the services itself or hire another organization to do so.
The program will initially prioritize municipalities that offer no public home-care services or provide them to no more than 10 people.
It will then expand to areas where the number and proportion of older residents are expected to increase rapidly.
These are often rural or partly rural municipalities. About 13 percent of Polish municipalities currently provide no care services, while about 32 percent serve no more than 10 people.
The government says the program is intended to close these gaps, particularly outside major cities.
The law also establishes long-term care coordinators at the county level.
They will inform people about available home assistance, day-care centers, residential care homes and medical facilities providing nursing and long-term treatment.
The government will provide counties with about PLN 20 million annually to finance the coordinators from 2027.
(rt/gs)
Source: samorzad.pap.pl