What is ZUS in Poland?

What is ZUS in Poland?

Ukrainians — even those who have only recently arrived in the country — hear this acronym time and again. It is ZUS that pays benefits to refugees, including families with minor children.

Let's clarify what the Social Insurance Institution does and what Ukrainians need to know about it.

What is ZUS?

ZUS (Zakład Ubezpieczeń Społecznych) is a state authority in Poland that carries out a wide range of social insurance functions. What does ZUS do? ⇒ It establishes and defines social insurance obligations. ⇒ It determines citizens' entitlements to benefits and pays those benefits. ⇒ It collects social and health insurance contributions. ⇒ ZUS manages the Labour Fund and the Employee Guaranteed Benefits Fund. ⇒ It settles accounts with contribution payers. ⇒ It maintains individual accounts for insured persons and contribution payers. ⇒ It acts on the rulings of medical examiners and medical boards that determine entitlements to insurance benefits. ⇒ It implements international agreements and treaties in the field of social insurance. ⇒ It monitors compliance with social insurance obligations and other duties by contribution payers and insured persons.

What benefits does ZUS pay in Poland? ZUS pays: ⇒ retirement pensions, ⇒ disability pensions, ⇒ maternity benefits, ⇒ sickness benefits, ⇒ benefits for work-related accidents, ⇒ compensation in the event of loss of a breadwinner.

It is worth noting that a person who pays insurance contributions can receive free medical care at hospitals within the National Health Fund (NFZ) network. However, certain services are not covered by this insurance (for example, some specialised and costly tests and examinations).

If you are officially employed in Poland, your employer or the party commissioning your services pays your insurance contributions on your behalf. This rule applies to all forms of employment: an employment contract (Umowa o pracę) as well as civil-law contracts (Umowa o dzieło and Umowa zlecenie).

What do Ukrainians need to know about ZUS?

Most Ukrainians who crossed the border into Poland after 24 February 2022 are familiar with ZUS through its benefit payments. The Social Insurance Institution pays refugee assistance, benefits for families with children, the "300+" and "500+" supplements, the family care capital scheme, and other forms of financial support.

Please note that if you have returned to Ukraine or moved to another country from Poland, it is important to notify ZUS of your departure so that payments can be suspended. Information for Ukrainian citizens from ZUS is available at this link.

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