Polish households using district heating can apply for allowances of between zł1,000 and zł3,500 in 2026 to offset rising heating costs.
What is the 2026 Heating Allowance?
The heating allowance is a new program of subsidies for heating costs, introduced by an act of 2025. It provides a one-time cash benefit to households using system heating, supplied by municipal or housing estate heating networks.
The allowance aims to compensate for increased heating costs following the end of government energy price freezes.
Eligibility for the Heating Allowance
The allowance is granted based on income criteria. If income exceeds the threshold, the support amount is reduced by the excess income—a “złoty for złoty” principle.
Even if the income threshold is exceeded, applicants can still apply for the allowance, with a minimum payout of zł20.
Allowance Amounts for 2026
In 2026, allowances range from zł1,000 to a maximum of zł3,500 for the period from January 1st to December 31st, 2026.
What to Prepare When Applying
Applicants need a current certificate of heating costs issued by their housing cooperative, community association, or heating provider. This determines the support amount and eligibility.
Household data, income information, and a bank account number are also required. Missing information may delay processing.
Where and When to Apply
Applications can be submitted at the municipal or city offices responsible for the applicant’s place of residence. The application period for 2026 begins on July 1st and ends on August 31st, 2026.
The application form is available in paper and online formats, and funds will be disbursed after verification by local authorities.
Heating Allowance and Single-Family Homes
The allowance is not intended for owners of single-family homes who heat individually with gas, pellets, coal, or heat pumps.
The program is exclusively for recipients using system heating, meaning buildings connected to municipal or housing estate heating networks (apartment blocks, communities). A single-family home would only be eligible if it actually used such a heating source, which is rare in practice.