A sports career can be short, intense, and fraught with significant health, financial, and professional risks. The most well-known instrument supporting athletes after their careers is the so-called Olympic pension, which in public perception has become a symbol of state recognition for outstanding achievements. In reality, however, it is an exceptional, elite benefit, accessible to a very limited group of individuals.

Olympic Pension – What It Is and Who Is Eligible

The Olympic pension has been in place in Poland since 2000. It is paid by the Ministry of Sport and Tourism and serves as an honorary, permanent financial support for athletes who have won at least one Olympic medal. In recent years, eligibility has been extended to medalists of the Paralympic Games and the Deaflympics.

The amount of the pension is not fixed; it depends on the so-called base amount applicable in the public budget sector and is calculated using a statutory multiplier. In practice, this means that the Olympic pension automatically increases along with salaries in public administration. As of January 2026, the pension amounts to PLN 5,116.99 per month, representing an increase compared to the previous year.

Importantly, this benefit is exempt from income tax and not subject to social or health insurance contributions, meaning recipients receive the full amount.

To qualify, athletes must meet several conditions, including:

1. winning at least one medal in a recognized sporting event,
2. reaching the age of 40,
3. holding Polish citizenship,
4. not participating in sports competitions organized by a Polish sports association,
5. not being convicted by a final judgment for an intentional criminal or tax offense,
6. not having been sanctioned for doping with a suspension for longer than 24 months or more than once, regardless of duration.

In practice, fewer than 600 individuals currently receive this benefit, illustrating how narrow the circle of beneficiaries is.

Olympic Pension After the Athlete’s Death – What About the Children of Medalists?

At present, the death of an Olympic medalist automatically terminates the pension, regardless of the family or financial situation of their dependents. However, the government is considering a significant shift in the philosophy of this benefit. A legislative proposal suggests that children, both biological and adopted, of deceased athletes could inherit the right to the pension previously granted to their parents.

Under the proposed framework:

• the benefit would be paid until the child reaches 16 years of age,
• if the child continues education, the benefit could extend up to age 26,
• it would apply to children of athletes who met the eligibility criteria during their lifetime.

This approach would serve a protective purpose, aiming to support the children of athletes who often dedicated their entire lives to representing their country at the expense of professional and financial stability.

Currently, the proposal is still at the conceptual stage. Detailed conditions for granting the benefit, as well as whether it would be automatic or conditional, have not yet been established.

What About Non-Olympic Athletes?

Beyond the Olympic pension, Poland offers other support instruments for athletes who have achieved success internationally, represented the national team, or excelled in non-Olympic disciplines. Assistance may take various forms, from financial awards and temporary scholarships to programs facilitating professional development after a sports career.

In practice, this means that support pathways for athletes are diverse and dynamic, with availability depending on current programs and initiatives implemented by public institutions and sports associations. Therefore, it is advisable to regularly monitor announcements from the Ministry of Sport and Tourism and relevant Polish sports associations, which frequently introduce new forms of assistance. Even if an athlete’s career was not directly tied to the Olympic Games, their experience and achievements may qualify them for specific support programs that facilitate a smooth transition to the next stage of professional life.

Summary

Poland’s athlete support system includes various measures, the most well-known being the Olympic pension, a unique form of recognition for medalists of major sporting events. In parallel, other instruments, such as scholarships, awards, and professional development programs, are available to athletes representing the country outside the Olympic arena. Ongoing legislative work demonstrates that the system is gradually evolving to meet the real needs of the sports community.

Effectively utilizing available support requires a good understanding of the regulations and practices of sports institutions. Our law firm, specializing in sports law, assists athletes and their families in planning legal and financial security after their careers and in liaising with authorities and sports associations. Through experience and a personalized approach, we help clients consciously build a secure future after sports.

Sources:

1. Ustawa z dnia 25 czerwca 2010 r. o sporcie (Dz.U. 2010 nr 127 poz. 857).
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3. MCC Medale. (n.d.). Emerytura za medal olimpijski – szczegóły i warunki. https://mccmedale.pl/emerytura-za-medal-olimpijski-komu-przysluguje-i-ile-wynosi/
4. Rewolucja w emeryturach, nowe przepisy. Dzieci dostaną pieniądze po rodzicach (2025). Pulshr.pl. https://www.pulshr.pl/prawo-pracy/rewolucja-w-emeryturach-nowe-przepisy-dzieci-dostana-pieniadze-po-rodzicach,112094.html
5. Ministerstwo Sportu i Turystyki. (2025). Dzieci zmarłych reprezentantów Polski mają zyskać prawo do „emerytur sportowych” [Komunikat]. https://www.gov.pl/web/sport/dzieci-zmarlych-reprezentantow-maja-zyskac-prawo-do-emerytur-sportowych-projekt-wpisany-do-wykazu-prac-rzadu