New Rules for Employment Tenure: Thousands May Lose Benefits Without ZUS Filing

Starting in 2026, employees in Poland can count periods of self-employment and contract work toward their total tenure, but they must apply for an official certificate from ZUS to qualify.

New Tenure Rules in Effect

Beginning January 1, 2026, for the public sector and May 1, 2026, for private companies, new Labor Code provisions allow workers to count previously ignored periods of employment—such as service contracts and business ownership—toward their total tenure. This change is not retroactive to benefits, but it is vital for workplace entitlements.

Impact on Vacation and Entitlements

These changes do not affect pension calculations or retirement age. However, they significantly impact labor rights, most notably vacation time. Employees who reach a 10-year tenure threshold are entitled to 26 days of annual leave instead of 20, potentially gaining up to 6 extra days off per year by including past contract work.

How to Obtain and Submit Documentation

Employees must use the digital USP form via their eZUS account to request a certificate of insurance for tenure purposes. Once issued, this document must be submitted to the current employer. If ZUS cannot verify a period due to its age, employees must provide their own documentation to prove the work history.

Deadlines and Exclusions

Certificates must be submitted within 24 months of the regulation’s effective date; failure to do so will result in the loss of credit for those periods. Notably, “contract for specific work” (umowa o dzieło) is excluded from this policy, and there remains uncertainty regarding how these rules apply to professional soldiers.