Miss the ZUS Deadline, Lose Years of Work Seniority: Poles Rush for Certificates Under 2026 Rules

Starting in 2026, new labor code regulations in Poland allow workers to count previous freelance and business activities toward their employment seniority, triggering a rush for mandatory ZUS certificates.

New Rules for Calculating Work Seniority in 2026

From January 1, 2026, new regulations apply to public sector employees. Private companies were covered a few months later starting from May 2026. Changes to the Labor Code expanded the list of professional activity periods that can be included when determining work seniority.

Previously, people working for many years under mandate contracts or running their own business could not use these periods to obtain employee rights dependent on seniority. Following the amendment, some of these can be included. Work seniority can now include mandate contracts, running a non-agricultural business, business cooperation, start-up relief, work abroad, suspension of business related to childcare, and selected uniformed services.

The most important aspect is that the regulations also allow for the inclusion of earlier periods prior to the entry into force of the act. It is not just about contracts concluded in 2026. This is precisely why many people are starting to take an interest in obtaining documents from ZUS and checking how many additional years of work they can recover according to the new rules.

Longer Work Seniority Does Not Mean a Higher Pension

Many people mistakenly assume that the new regulations will increase their retirement seniority or affect the amount of their future pension. However, ZUS clearly emphasizes that this is not the case.

The changes apply exclusively to work seniority calculated according to the Labor Code, which affects employee rights. They do not change the rules for granting pensions or the method of calculating benefits.

Up to 6 Extra Days of Leave Through Seniority Extension

Following the changes, workers can gain longer leave because after exceeding 10 years of work seniority, an employee is entitled to 26 days of annual leave instead of 20 days. For some people, including past mandate contracts or business activities means exceeding this threshold, resulting in up to 6 additional days off per year.

These changes particularly benefit individuals who spent years working outside traditional employment contracts before transitioning to a standard employment agreement.

Mandatory Certificate from ZUS Required

For an employer to recognize additional periods toward work seniority, an appropriate certificate from the Social Insurance Institution is required. Since the beginning of 2026, a special form named USP—”Application for a certificate of insurance for the purpose of including periods in work seniority”—has been active on the ZUS platform.

The application can be submitted exclusively electronically via an eZUS account. Once the document is issued, the information will appear on the user’s account. Individuals with active notifications can receive an SMS, email, or an alert in the mZUS application.

The certificate obtained from ZUS must be submitted to the current employer. If ZUS is unable to issue such a certificate because, for example, the worked period was a long time ago, it is possible to prove seniority using personal documents, which must be delivered to ZUS.

The certificate must be delivered to the employer within 24 months, counting from January 1, 2026, in the public sector or from May 1, 2026, in the private sector. If an employee fails to prove a period of work within these deadlines, the employer will not include it in the employment period entitling them to employee rights.

Potential Exclusions and Unincluded Contracts

Although the new regulations expand work seniority to include business activity and mandate contracts, doubts have arisen regarding professional soldiers. Part of the military community has raised concerns that the new calculation rules may not cover individuals performing service under separate regulations. Official government materials list some uniformed services, but lack clear confirmation regarding military service length.

Specific contract types like a contract for specific work involve a predetermined result without repetitive tasks or subordination, meaning they will not be counted toward work seniority.