ZUS conducted 11,000 sick leave checks in Poland’s Lubusz region in 2025, revoking benefits in 800 cases at a cost of over 1 million złoty.
Scale of ZUS Checks and Benefits Revoked
In 2025, the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) in Poland’s Lubusz region alone conducted over 11,000 checks on medical leave certificates. As a result, the right to benefits was contested in nearly 800 cases, with the total amount of refunds exceeding 1 million złoty.
This means that on average, every fourteenth check resulted in the revocation of the right to sickness benefits or the requirement to repay paid money.
Two Main Areas of Control
ZUS controls cover two main areas. The first concerns verifying whether a person on sick leave is actually using it for its intended purpose – treatment and recovery. In 2025 in Lubusz, approximately 5,000 people were checked in this regard. In nearly 500 cases, irregularities were found, and insured individuals were required to repay benefits totaling 766,000 złoty.
The second area involves assessing whether the sick leave was issued at all. Medical assessors in Gorzów Wielkopolski and Zielona Góra issued about 6,000 decisions regarding work capacity. In 300 cases, it was determined that the patient no longer met the conditions for continued sick leave. This reduced sick leave absence time by about 2,000 days, allowing for further savings of 240,000 złoty.
Examples of Sick Leave Misuse
Controls revealed numerous cases of using medical leave certificates in a manner completely contrary to their purpose. One example was a man who traveled to Paris during his sick leave. He published about the trip on social media, which became the basis for contesting his right to benefits.
Another insured person was caught by their employer while running their own business with an identical profile to the company where they were employed. This type of activity is clearly treated as a violation of the rules for using sick leave, as it indicates work capacity.
ZUS also revoked benefits from a person who traveled to Zanzibar during their sick leave. Photos from the exotic trip, including one with a monkey, published on the internet became evidence of using L4 contrary to its intended purpose.
A particularly serious case involved a doctor who, despite being on sick leave themselves, continued to perform professional duties, issuing prescriptions and medical certificates. Such action clearly indicates work capacity and serves as a basis for revoking sickness benefits.
How ZUS Identifies Improper Use
The Social Insurance Institution does not conduct systematic monitoring of social media, however, information about irregularities often reaches the institution from third parties. ZUS employees receive reports containing photos, screenshots, and other materials documenting the activities of people on sick leave. Upon receiving such information, they are obligated to verify it.
A parallel IT system analyzes data on medical leave certificates. Cases are selected for control primarily for unusually long durations relative to the diagnosis and leaves issued serially by different doctors. ZUS uses the e-ZLA electronic system, which enables immediate access to information about leaves nationwide.
National Scope of the Problem
Data from ZUS headquarters shows that nationwide, the number of sick leave checks reaches hundreds of thousands annually. For example, in 2023, over 461,000 checks were conducted on the proper use of sick leave, and as a result of these actions, benefit payments were suspended for an amount exceeding 290 million złoty. This shows that the phenomenon of abuse has a nationwide character and generates significant costs for the social insurance system.
Recent Regulatory Changes
As of January 27, new regulations have taken effect that expand ZUS’s control capabilities. One of the most important changes is the inclusion of care leave for family members in the scope of control. Until now, verification in this area was limited.
ZUS also gained the right to request detailed explanations from insured individuals and the ability to obtain information from employers and treating physicians. Controllers can now confirm the identity of the person on sick leave and document the course of the control at their place of residence.
An important change is also the clarification of the definition of improper use of sick leave. According to the new regulations, effective April 13, the key criterion will be engaging in activities contrary to the purpose of the leave – that is, activities that hinder recovery or indicate work capacity. This means that leaving one’s place of residence, for example to visit a pharmacy or doctor, will not automatically be considered a violation.
The amendment also provides consequences for doctors issuing certificates contrary to regulations. In such cases, documentation will be forwarded to the appropriate medical chamber, which may initiate disciplinary proceedings.
Future Reforms Planned
Further changes will take effect in the coming months and years. From April 2026, some assessment powers will be obtained by physiotherapists, who will be able to issue opinions regarding rehabilitation. Specialized nurses, in turn, will be able to assess inability to live independently in specific cases.
The major reforms are planned for January 2027. The system is to be adapted to the realities of the labor market, where an increasing number of people work in several places simultaneously or perform duties remotely. A doctor will be able to issue a sick leave only for one type of work, if health status prevents performing physical duties but allows for remote work.
The introduction of the possibility of conducting assessments via video calls is also planned. This solution is intended to shorten the waiting time for a decision and streamline the control process.
Purpose of Sick Leave Benefits
ZUS emphasizes that sick leave should serve exclusively for treatment and recovery. Engaging in professional activities or intense activities unrelated to the healing process may result in the loss of the right to benefits and the obligation to repay the money paid.
