Social Security (ZUS)

In Poland, social insurance covers different groups of people, depending on their professional and social situation.

Here are the main categories of people covered by social insurance:

Employees

• Persons employed under an employment contract: Employees with an employment contract are compulsorily covered by all types of social insurance (pension, disability, sickness and accident).

Persons engaged in business activities

• Entrepreneurs: Self-employed individuals are required to pay social security contributions. This applies to sole proprietorships as well as partners in partnerships.

Farmers

• Farmers and their household members: Farmers are covered by a separate social insurance system administered by the Agricultural Social Insurance Fund (KRUS). Insurance covers farmers who operate a farm and their families.

Persons working under civil law contracts

• Contractors: Persons working on the basis of commissioned contracts are covered by mandatory pension and disability insurance, and may also be covered by sickness and accident insurance, if provided for in the contract.
• Persons working on the basis of work contracts: As a rule, these persons are not covered by compulsory social insurance unless the contract is with their own employer.

Students and pupils

• Students and pupils: Students up to the age of 26 working under a contract of service are not covered by mandatory social insurance. After turning 26, they begin to be covered by mandatory social insurance.

Unemployed

• Unemployed: Those registered as unemployed at the labor office are covered by health insurance, and in some cases may also be covered by pension insurance.

Other groups

• Supervisory board members: Persons serving on supervisory boards are compulsorily covered by pension and disability insurance.
• Persons performing military service: Are covered by a special social security system.
• Persons on parental leave: Are covered by pension and disability insurance, provided they meet certain conditions.

The main types of social insurance in Poland:

1. Old-age insurance: This insurance provides funds for retirement upon reaching retirement age, which is 65 for men and 60 for women. The amount of the pension depends on the number of years worked and the amount of contributions made.
2. Pension insurance: This insurance is for people who are unable to continue employment due to incapacity resulting from illness or disability. Disability benefits include disability and survivor pensions.
3. Sickness insurance: Sickness insurance covers benefits for temporary inability to work due to illness, accident or maternity. Sickness, maternity, care and rehabilitation benefits are provided under this insurance.
4. Accident insurance: This insurance protects against the consequences of accidents at work and occupational diseases. Benefits under this insurance include sickness benefits, accident pensions and one-time compensation.
5. Health insurance: Although a separate system, it is often included in the context of social insurance. Health insurance provides access to public health care, financed by health premiums, which are mandatory for all working people.

Read more about Social security in Poland in the document of the Social Insurance Institution: here