From 13 April: ZUS checks gain new powers
ZUS inspections start 13 April 2026 and allow day-one home visits; learn what this means for expats on sick leave.
From 13 April 2026 Poland expands social insurance controls and gives the national agency new tools. ZUS inspections will allow visits on the first day of sick leave and widen verification powers. Consequently, many employees must adapt their routines and documentation.
ZUS inspections: what changes on 13 April
The Parliament passed changes in December 2025. Moreover, lawmakers split the reform into three stages. Therefore, the most impactful stage begins on 13 April 2026. The law clarifies what counts as paid work during sick leave. In addition, it defines activities that may hinder recovery. The institution now treats a single breach as grounds to stop the whole allowance for the entire L4. However, ordinary daily tasks remain excluded.
What the new rules actually do
The law defines paid work broadly. It covers employment contracts, civil contracts, freelance activity and business income. Consequently, you cannot claim L4 if you do any activity of an earning nature. The statute allows narrow incidental exceptions. However, the employer cannot create those exceptions by ordering work while you are ill. Moreover, the law names examples of disallowed activities. Renovation, heavy gardening and attending mass events are now explicit red flags. Therefore, a note from a doctor that you “may walk” will not justify heavy physical work.
How controls will run in practice
From the first day the agency can inspect your declared home. Inspectors may visit your temporary address too. They may also ask your employer and treating doctor for information. Each visit ends with a standard protocol. You get seven days to file objections. Consequently, ignore no correspondence from the agency. Failure to respond can damage your case. In addition, the law extends checks to care leaves. The office will verify whether other household members could provide care.
Employers, small and large, can act
Before the change, only employers with more than 20 staff could run internal checks. Now every payer of contributions may send a controller. Therefore, even a small workshop can request a check. However, absence during a visit will not automatically cut payments. The inspector can repeat the check. You then must explain your absence, for example, a doctor visit or rehabilitation.
Looking ahead, the final stage of reform starts on 1 January 2027. Then doctors may limit sick leave to one employment if health allows other work. In practice, this will let someone unfit for manual labor still do desk work for another employer. However, that change is not yet in force. In the meantime, document your condition and cooperate with requests. Moreover, read any inspection protocol carefully and submit objections within seven days. Therefore, you protect your rights and avoid unexpected loss of benefits.
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