New law allows seafarers under flags of convenience to join Poland's ZUS system
On Tuesday, the Chancellery of the President of Poland announced that President Andrzej Duda has signed an amendment to the Act on the Social Security System and certain other acts, granting seafarers working under so-called “flags of convenience” the right to register with the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) and independently pay social security contributions on preferential terms.
In brief
President Andrzej Duda has signed an amendment to the Social Insurance System Act allowing seafarers sailing under flags of convenience to obtain seafarer status and pay their own contributions to ZUS on preferential terms. According to estimates by the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy, 17.7 thousand people will benefit from the provisions. Coverage requires registration with ZUS together with a certificate from the director of a maritime office or an employment agency, and the obligation to pay contributions will last 12 months. The act allows voluntary retroactive contributions for a period of up to 5 years and will enter into force on 1 January 2026.
The new legislation is aimed at extending access to the Polish social security system to an estimated 17,700 individuals, according to the Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Policy. The solution mirrors the preferential system already in place for artists and creative professionals.
The key objective of the amendment is to include in the national insurance system individuals working aboard vessels registered in countries outside the European Union and the European Economic Area. Under the new law, those working at sea will be able to obtain the official status of a seafarer employed under a maritime labour contract. This status allows them to be covered by Poland’s retirement, disability, accident, sickness, and health insurance schemes.
To benefit from the scheme, eligible seafarers must submit a registration application to ZUS along with a certificate issued by the director of the maritime office or an authorised employment agency. The obligation to pay insurance contributions will last for 12 months from the date of obtaining seafarer status. During this period, the individual will be fully covered by the national insurance system, except for periods of suspension lasting from one to three months following the end of a maritime assignment.
Seafarers will be required to submit their registration with ZUS within one month of receiving their status certificate. Those working aboard Polish-flagged vessels will also be able to switch their insurance status from standard employment to the newly introduced seafarer title. This requires a formal declaration submitted to the employer (as the previous contributor) and independent registration with ZUS under the new title.
The contribution base for seafarers will be set in relation to the national minimum wage, with the option to declare a higher contribution base. Seafarers will also be required to contribute to the Labour Fund, the Solidarity Fund, and to health insurance.
The law additionally provides an option for voluntary retroactive contributions for up to five years prior to the law’s entry into force.
The new regulations will come into effect on January 1, 2026.
Source: Gazeta Morska / PAP · Compiled by: Oskar Wojciechowski
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