Issuing an A1 Certificate

What is an A1 Certificate and Who Needs It in Poland

The A1 Certificate is an official document that confirms that an employee or entrepreneur, while performing work in another EU or EEA country, remains insured under Poland’s social security system. The main purpose of the document is to avoid double contributions and to confirm the right to social security. The A1 is required for:

• employees temporarily posted to EU countries,
• entrepreneurs conducting business in Poland but performing contracts abroad,
• individuals working in several countries at the same time.

The A1 certificate is a key document for legalizing professional activity abroad, protecting against double contributions and legal risks. Obtaining the A1 Certificate is not only a formality but also a mandatory condition for lawful work outside Poland. The document guarantees social protection, stability in settlements with funds, and compliance with European legislation.

Conditions for obtaining the A1: work, posting, residency, company activity

To apply for the A1, a person or employer must meet certain conditions. The main ones include:

1. Existence of employment or civil-law relations in Poland,
2. Conducting business activity with a confirmed turnover in Poland (usually not less than 25%),
3. Compliance with the criteria of a “significant link with Poland” (office, staff, financial indicators),
4. Confirmed residence or residency of the employee.

Thus, obtaining the A1 is possible only if real activity and social ties with Poland are proven. This excludes using the scheme merely “for formality.”

Procedure and documents for obtaining the A1 through ZUS / PUE

Submitting an application for the A1 takes place electronically through the PUE ZUS platform. Required documents include:

• an employment or civil-law contract,
• proof of the employee’s residence,
• confirmation of the period of work in Poland and abroad,
• financial and registration data of the company.

ZUS considers the application within up to 30 days, but in case of missing data may request additional documents. A carefully prepared package of documents significantly reduces the processing time and minimizes the risk of refusal. Proper and complete preparation of documents is a decisive factor for timely receipt of the A1. Legal assistance helps avoid mistakes that delay the procedure and guarantees quick approval by ZUS.

Types of A1 Certificates (Article 12 and Article 13 of Regulation No. 883/2004)

The choice of the correct type of A1 certificate depends on the nature of the work and the legal status of the employee or entrepreneur: Article 12 applies in the case of posting an employee when the company carries out significant activity in Poland. The validity period is up to 24 months, and Article 13 regulates situations of simultaneous work in several countries. In such cases, the A1 is issued if the person resides in Poland and performs a significant part of their activity there. Correct identification of the article under which the application is submitted is a decisive factor for successful receipt of the A1. Correct identification of the article ensures compliance with legislation, reduces the risk of refusal, and guarantees the legitimacy of social insurance during work abroad.

Waiting time and possible refusals: how to avoid risks

The standard application review period ranges from a few days to one month. Refusal is possible if:

1. The company does not prove a significant link with Poland,
2. Documents are submitted incompletely or with errors,
3. Actual activity does not correspond to the declared conditions.

Thorough preparation and preliminary legal analysis of documents allow avoiding unnecessary delays and refusals. Timely and accurate preparation of documents, as well as professional legal verification, minimizes the risk of refusal and ensures timely receipt of the A1 Certificate. 

Why is it important to obtain legal support when applying for the A1? 

At first glance, applying for an A1 certificate may seem like a technical procedure, but in practice it is often associated with legal difficulties. ZUS carefully verifies each application: from correctly determining the legal basis (Article 12 or 13 of Regulation 883/2004) to confirming the real activity of the company in Poland. Professional legal support minimizes risks, saves time, and guarantees that the A1 will be issued quickly and on a lawful basis.

A1 Certificate Services from the Consultant Marketplace

The Legal Marketplace Consultant offers full support for the A1 application procedure:

initial legal analysis of the situation and determination of the legal basis (Art. 12 or 13),

preparation and verification of the document package,

submission of the application through PUE ZUS,

support in case of additional document requests or refusal.