Poland's ZUS and NFZ unveil major financial adjustments for businesses, retirees and health services

Polish social security institutions announced several large‑scale financial measures. The Social Insurance Institution (ZUS) reported that businesses in the Lublin region saved 168 million zł by using the one‑month contribution vacation scheme, and that more than 770 000 entrepreneurs have already received refunds totaling about 1.26 billion zł for overpaid 2025 health contributions. ZUS also completed a nationwide mailing, sending letters to roughly 8.9 million pensioners containing two key decisions affecting benefit amounts.

ZUS warned the public about scams involving paid assistance for the "supporting benefit", noting cases where intermediaries charged fees up to six times the benefit amount. The agency also detailed recent changes to the 800 plus family allowance, including tighter eligibility for Ukrainian residents and the rejection of thousands of applications.

In the health sector, the National Health Fund (NFZ) disclosed an additional 1.2 billion zł in funding for hospitals, with the largest increases earmarked for maternity wards, pulmonary disease units and child‑psychiatry departments. A broader budget plan will inject 9.25 billion zł over the coming year, raising tariffs for maternity care, respiratory treatments, oncology diagnostics and child‑psychiatry, while also raising minimum salaries for medical staff.