Starting May 1st, private sector employees in Poland can include contracts and self-employment in their calculation of work experience.
Expanded Work Experience Calculation Begins May 1st
Beginning May 1st, employees of private companies can request that their employers include periods of contract work and self-employment when calculating their work experience. The Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) will issue certificates confirming these work periods.
This change follows a similar provision that has been in effect for public sector employees since January.
Phased Implementation of Regulations
The regulations regarding work experience came into effect in stages, applying to the public sector from the beginning of 2024 and the private sector from May 1st, 2024.
Including Other Forms of Professional Activity
Employees can now request their employers to include periods of professional activity beyond traditional employment contracts in their work experience calculation.
ZUS Processing of Applications
ZUS has received nearly 640,000 applications for certificates of insurance for the purpose of including periods in work experience. The institution has 7 business days to process each application and has issued over 1 million certificates to date.
No Impact on Retirement Benefits
ZUS clarified that the new regulations do not affect pensionable service. They do not impact the right to a pension or the method of calculating its amount.
Qualifying Periods for Work Experience
Work experience now includes not only employment contracts but also other forms of professional activity, such as contract work, service agreements, agency contracts, self-employment, collaboration with a self-employed individual, and time taken for personal childcare.
Retroactive Inclusion of Periods
Periods prior to the law’s enactment can be included in work experience, provided they are properly documented. Employees have 24 months from the law’s effective date to submit documentation to their current employer.
Application Process
Applications for certificates must be submitted electronically through the ZUS teleinformation system (eZUS). The “Application for a Certificate of Insurance for the Purpose of Including Periods in Work Experience” (USP) is available on eZUS since January 1st, 2024.
ZUS will deliver certificates, decisions, and other related documents electronically to the applicant’s eZUS account. Applicants or their proxies will be automatically notified of the response via SMS, email, or the mZUS mobile app if notifications are enabled.
