New Obligation for Some Polish Pensioners: 14 Days to Report Foreign Work

Retirees and pensioners in Poland who are also employed abroad will soon face new reporting requirements. A proposed bill from the Ministry of Health aims to close loopholes concerning the collection of health insurance contributions from foreign pensions and benefits transferred to Polish bank accounts.

The new regulations target individuals receiving Polish pensions or disability benefits while simultaneously working or having worked in another European Union (EU), EFTA country, or the United Kingdom. Currently, there are gaps in the system that prevent the National Health Fund (NFZ) and other pension bodies from having full knowledge of these individuals' employment situations abroad.

Under the proposed changes, individuals who took up gainful employment in an EU, EFTA, or UK country after qualifying for Polish retirement or disability benefits will be required to notify Polish authorities, such as ZUS (Social Insurance Institution), within 14 days of ending that foreign employment. This notification is crucial for determining if they are once again subject to mandatory health insurance in Poland.

Based on this information, the relevant pension authority will assess whether the individual needs to be re-enrolled in the Polish health insurance system. If the individual fails to report and this results in unpaid contributions, ZUS will have the authority to deduct the outstanding amounts directly from their Polish pension or benefit payments.

Furthermore, the NFZ will gain expanded powers to share information with banks regarding an individual's health insurance status in Poland. This applies to those receiving foreign pensions or benefits while also being entitled to Polish benefits. The NFZ will be able to proactively update information if a person begins receiving Polish pension or benefit payments after initially being recorded as not covered by Polish health insurance.