I worked in several countries and want foreign periods counted toward my pension
4 tasks in suggested order
1. List the countries and periods of work/insurance and collect the documents you have that prove those periods.
Before submitting the pension application.
Your own records / former employers and insurance institutions.
Employment dates, insurance numbers, certificates and other evidence.
Missing some documents does not always prevent coordination, but complete details make periods easier to establish.
Official source: zus.pl
2. Determine whether foreign periods fall under EU/EFTA/UK coordination, a bilateral agreement or separate rules for a state without an agreement.
Before choosing the correct application route.
ZUS.
List of countries and periods.
The EU/EFTA procedure cannot automatically be applied to every country in the world.
Official source: zus.pl
3. For EU/EFTA periods, submit the application to the institution competent by residence/coordination; the institutions exchange information with the other countries concerned.
When you want to start the pension procedure.
If you live in Poland: the ZUS branch designated for the country where you last worked, the nearest ZUS branch or eZUS/PUE; the competent coordination unit handles the case. If you live in the EU/EFTA, apply through the insurance institution of your country of residence.
Application and information on all foreign periods.
In typical EU/EFTA coordination, you do not submit a separate independent application in every country, but each country issues its own decision under its law.
Official source: zus.pl
4. After coordination is complete, review the decisions from each country and any appeal deadlines.
After receiving the decisions.
ZUS and foreign institutions.
All decisions and correspondence.
Retirement age, calculation method and benefit start date can differ between countries.
Official source: powroty.gov.pl
