For non-EU workers, the place where contributions are paid is often decided by a bilateral agreement. We explain what such agreements govern, how the insurance certificate works and how to check whether a given country is covered.
1. Why bilateral agreements
With some non-EU states, Poland has concluded bilateral social security agreements. Their aim is similar to EU coordination: to avoid double contribution liability and to aggregate insurance periods for benefit purposes (e.g. pensions).
2. What they govern
The agreements determine, among other things, the applicable legislation for work and posting and the rules for aggregating periods. Instead of the EU A1, the insurance-coverage certificate provided for in the given agreement is used.
3. How to check whether there is an agreement
ZUS keeps a list of contracting states and forms. Before posting or hiring, it is worth checking whether a given country is covered by an agreement and what documents are required.
4. The risk of double contributions
Show more: what aggregating insurance periods involves
Aggregating periods
For the entitlement to benefits (e.g. a pension), the agreements allow the aggregation of insurance periods completed in both states. This matters for workers who spent part of their career abroad.
Do you hire or post a non-EU worker?
We will check whether a social security agreement exists and determine the correct contributions and documents to avoid double contribution liability.
Book a free consultationLegal notice: this article is for information purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Legal status: 2026 (bilateral social security agreements concluded by the Republic of Poland).
Sources: bilateral social security agreements; zus.pl — international agreements. The above discussion is our own; it is worth verifying the cited provisions against the current text of the Act before taking action.