Registering for social insurance (ZUS) in Poland

Usually your employer files it, but not always

Pension, sickness and accident insurance in Poland run through ZUS, the Social Insurance Institution, which also registers people for health insurance. There is no separate social security number, because ZUS works with your PESEL number. An employer normally registers its employees, people who work for themselves register themselves, and an insured person can add family members.

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How it works

Register for social security

Get a social security number or register for social insurance.

You usually need a social security number before you start work, and your employer often uses it to register you. Self-employed people normally register themselves. Depending on the country, you apply to the social security office yourself or the number is linked to your address registration. Bring your passport or ID and, if you have them, your employment contract or business registration. A social security number does not by itself give you health cover or benefits; those may need separate applications.

Also searched as

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At a glance

Offices
63 offices in 41 cities
Book online
At 63 of 63 offices
Apply online
At 53 of 63 offices

Bring your ID and ask who files your registration

ZUS offices where you can ask in person

ZUS runs large regional branches and smaller local offices, and many see visitors by appointment. You can ask about your own insurance or about adding family members, and each office explains which papers it needs.

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Other countries

The same task in other countries

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Where to next

ZUS offices across Poland

ZUS branches and smaller local offices in your city: how visits are arranged, what to bring and who files your registration.

ZUS offices in Poland

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