The policy, approved by President Andrzej Duda in December, extends maternity leave for parents of babies born prematurely or requiring hospital care after birth.
Duda signed the measure into law after it was voted through by parliament last year.
Under the new rules, parents of babies born before the 28th week of pregnancy or weighing less than 1,000 grams at birth are entitled to up to 15 additional weeks of maternity leave.
Parents of babies born before the 36th week of pregnancy, or full-term infants requiring hospital treatment, are eligible for eight additional weeks.
Family, Labour, and Social Policy Minister Agnieszka Dziemianowicz-Bąk said on Wednesday that the new regulations give families "the most precious gift—time together."
"March 19, 2025 is a big date for our little ones," she told reporters. "Today, new regulations take effect granting additional maternity leave for parents of premature babies and hospitalised newborns. We are giving parents what is most precious: time with their child."
Officials say the extended leave is designed to provide additional support to families facing the challenges of caring for premature or ill newborns.
The additional leave is available to mothers, fathers, legal guardians, foster parents and adoptive parents, state news agency PAP reported.
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Source: IAR, PAP