Privileges of Members of Parliament. Free flights around Poland, allowances and flat-rate payments

Deputies and senators receive parliamentary remuneration – currently PLN 12,826.64 gross. Deputies serving as committee chairpersons receive an additional 20 percent of their remuneration, and vice-chairpersons – 15 percent. An additional 10 percent of their remuneration is due to deputies who are chairpersons of permanent subcommittees. The remuneration is not due to members of parliament who earn income outside the performance of their parliamentary functions (apart from activities subject to copyright). Each deputy who is not elected for the next term is entitled to a one-time severance payment in the amount of three remunerations.

A deputy and senator are also entitled to money to cover expenses incurred in connection with the performance of their mandate in the country, i.e. a parliamentary allowance. Currently, it amounts to PLN 4,008.33 gross.

Both MPs and senators are also entitled to free travel on public transport and flights within the country, as well as free travel on public transport. MPs also receive money to run their parliamentary offices. The flat-rate allowance is PLN 22,200 per month. A MP with a significant degree of disability may apply to the Speaker of the Sejm to increase this amount – by no more than 50 percent.

The draft budget of the Chancellery of the Sejm for 2025 provides for an increase in the lump sum for running parliamentary offices by 4.1%, or PLN 900. According to Jacek Cichocki, head of the Chancellery of the Sejm, this money “will allow for an increase in the remuneration of employees who support the work of MPs in the field or in parliamentary clubs”. The Chancellery of the Sejm informed that the lump sum can cover, among other things, expenses for the remuneration of employees of parliamentary offices, translations, expert opinions and opinions prepared directly by selected experts, telecommunications services related to the performance of the parliamentary mandate and MPs' car journeys in connection with the performance of the mandate. The lump sum can also be used to cover current expenses for the maintenance and payment of the premises in which the parliamentary office is located. However, the money for running the office cannot be used to finance the activities of parties, social organizations, foundations or the activities of parliamentary and parliamentary clubs and circles. It also cannot be used to finance charitable activities or to run an election campaign.

Every deputy and senator is protected by immunity. A deputy cannot be held accountable for activities that fall within the scope of the mandate of a deputy, neither during its term nor after its expiration. For such activities, a deputy is responsible only to the Sejm. However, in the event of a violation of the rights of third parties, he may be held accountable in court only with the consent of the Sejm. After seeking the opinion of the rules committee, the Sejm or Senate votes on the lifting of the deputy's immunity. A deputy may be held accountable criminally only for an act indicated in the motion that was the basis for the consent given by the Sejm or Senate. Holding a deputy or senator accountable for another act requires separate consent of the Sejm or Senate. The deputy may also consent to being held accountable criminally. According to the constitution, a deputy may not be detained or arrested without the consent of the Sejm, except when caught in the act of committing a crime and if their detention is necessary to ensure the proper course of proceedings. The Speaker of the Sejm is immediately notified of any detention, who may order the immediate release of the detainee.

Deputies not registered in Warsaw are entitled to accommodation in the Deputies' House. If accommodation is not available there, deputies may provide their own accommodation, but the price cannot exceed the cost of accommodation in the Deputies' House, which is PLN 4,000 per month or PLN 133 per hotel night.

Each club is also to receive additional money to employ experts in parliamentary clubs to prepare impact assessments of regulations. This is required by the new Sejm Regulations.